When Gale Zucker was here last weekend for the photography workshop, she showed us some pictures she shot for the Orphan Foundation of America’s Red Scarf Project. I think everyone in the room but me had heard about the Red Scarf Project, but seeing as how I live in a cave on Mars, that didn’t surprise me a bit.
The Red Scarf project really knocks me out. Basically, it targets kids who have aged out of the foster care system and gone on to college. These kids have worked their backsides off to get to college and they did it without the benefit of parents to guide them through the process. Once they get to college, they are at a disadvantage because they don’t have parents sending them care packages or encouraging notes. They don’t have anyone to call when they get a bad grade, or a good one for that matter. On school holidays when the dorms close, they don’t have a home to go back to. Heartbreaking, yes?
The Red Scarf Project collects hand-knitted scarves to give to these college students at Valentine’s Day as a little sussy. Just a little “someone-is-thinking-of-you-and-thinks-you’re-great gift. In addition to the scarves, knitters are encouraged to enclose hand-written notes of encouragemenT. Small gift cards to national chains like Starbucks or Barnes & Noble can be enclosed as well.
I can’t even write about this project or these kids without getting all kitten-headed and teary. Remember how hard college was? How many times did you call your mom after a bad day or to ask for money or just to reconnect with home? I’m guessing a lot. And the fact that these kids don’t have that connection breaks my heart.
Juniper Moon Farm will be collecting hand knit red scarves for the Red Scarf project and I want you to participate. And I’m willing to make it worth your while.
Here’s how it works:
We will sell 100 skeins of JMF * red yarn at a special reduced price of $10/skeins. (No additional discount codes will be honored on this item and yes! you can buy more than one, but please be realistic about the number of scarves you can knit) You lovingly knit up a beautiful, UNISEX scarf that meets the OFA guidelines and send it back to the farm. We’d love it if you could enclose a hand-written, encouraging note with each scarf you send. We will tag all the scarves and deliver them to OFA during their submission period – September 1st through December 15th.
For every scarf you send back to the farm for OFA, you will receive one chance to win a sweater’s worth of Juniper Moon Farm yarn. What’s a sweater’s worth? Totally up to you. You chose a pattern, send it to us with your size and we’ll supply the yarn. The winner will be chosen at random from all the entries.
So you get a big yarn discount. A college student gets a little encouragement in the form of a hand-knitted scarf. And you get the chance to win a whole sweater’s worth of yarn just for doing something good. It’s win/win/chance to win! Now get to knitting!
* Does it have to be red? Yes, it does. The scarves are shipped at Valentine’s Day and red is a good, unisex color. There are lots and lots of reds, obviously, so your scarf will be unique and loved.
{ 46 comments… read them below or add one }
Such a fantastic idea!! I’m just not sure I have the attention span for a whole scarf. Is that bad??
Awesome. I have meant to do this for two years in a row. Thank you so much for creating opportunity and motivation!!! I’ll be place my order tonight – especially as I’m not the fastest knitter on the block.
Big heart to JMF.
Oh, what an awesome idea! I’ve knit for them for the past couple years, it’s such a great program.
Oh, question! Can we buy more than one skein if we plan to knit more than one scarf?
Thanks for asking Jenn! Yes, Buy as many as you think you can knit scarves for.
Ordered mine. Now I have stitch patterns running in my head instead of work.
This is wonderful Susan! I just ordered 4 skeins – me & mom will knit and crochet scarves for these kids.
Well Susan, there were two of us that didn’t know about this project! I think it is a fantastic thing! I’ll order my yarn when I’m finished saving Newark for the week.
oops, I’ll have to make 2 since I have one already started. It’s a great program and like you, when I found out about it a couple of years ago, it made me cry. I cannot believe the strength of these young people!
Awesome! Ordered two. I was going to have to buy yarn for this anyway, so it doesn’t even violate my kind-of yarn diet!
Susan, this is great! I can’t believe you hadn’t heard about this before … you should tell Norma at Now Norma Knits right away, she’s a HUGE supporter behind this. (And, anyway, her blog should absolutely be on your reading list. Not only does she do this wonderful thing, she gardens and talks about all sorts of things you’d be interested in.)
Oh that is so generous and fabulous of you! Thanks for supporting the Red Scarf project. Wow! I can’t wait to see the scarves made from your yarn.
Fabulous idea. I’ve been meaning to knit for them for a couple of years now. Thanks for the enabling push. I’m off to order the yarn now.
Thanks. I have one done and one on the needles for 2010 donating, but can always do one more.
There’s also a links on Ravelry. There’s the Red Scarf Project Group: http://www.ravelry.com/groups/red-scarf-project
as well as the discussion on #1 Knitspot Fan.
And Norma rocks!
Never heard of this before–what a wonderful idea. Just ordered a skein, as well as some of those nifty looking candles I’ve been wanting to try
My knitting group made them…. there was a limit on how many they would accept from one group. Why I haven’t a clue but might want to check.
It’s so great of you to do this. There must be a few caves on Mars since I’ve never heard of it. It’s an issue that has long concerned me, and it’s great to have something concrete to do. Ordering now!
Just when I think you couldn’t possibly get more awesome, you find a new way to make me love you even more!
Unofficial spokesperson and Head Cheerleader for the Red Scarf Project (Norma) here. Thank you so much for this wonderful cheerleading/incentive effort!!!
Brava! Way to go! Great way to incorporate the farm into the goodness all around!
I love this charity. While I was never in the foster system, I was orphaned by the age of 18, so I knew the feeling of no place to go where they had to let you in. I’m ordering enough for two.
I am so excited. I have been a supporter of the RSP for several years – put more effort into the 5-10 scarves I knit than anything else I do all year. The scarves are my ‘travel’ projects so that I can talk to others about the OFA.
I always use small mill or locally produced yarns so I am off to order several skeins from you.
I’ve just ordered 2 skeins. I’ve been contributing to OFA for years and looking forward to using your yarn this time. I came over from Norma’s blog.
I just bought a skein! I have a lot of travel time this summer…perfect for scarf knitting. Oh, and Norma sent me!
Thank you so much!! Just ordered, and really looking forward to knitting with your yarn. Norma sent me ;^)
Norma sent me over … I hadn’t decided what yarn I was going to use this year, but now the decision has been made. Two skeins ordered …thanks so much for contributing to this oh-so-worthy project!
Just ordered–Norma sent me. Thanks! I have sent Red Scarves for the last two years. Now I have ordered my yarn for this year–yea!
Norma sent me too. What a great idea. Thank you
Norma sent me. Nice to meet you. Can’t wait to see the yarn!
Hi! Heard about you from the Red Scarf Project fairy godmother, Norma! I aam in the middle of a red scarf but couldn’t resist ordering one skein from you for another. Can’t wait to get it in the mail. It was nice to have an “excuse” to try out one of your yarns. I also love the idea of the yarn CSA…
Thanks for stepping up for this great project!
wow. Sent from Norma! what a vibrant red
gonna poke a bit before I choose! thanks for setting this up!
Fantastic cause and great reason to play with lovely Juniper Moon Farm yarn
I’ll buy mine right away.
I’m in for TWO! And no, Norma did NOT send me.
Thank you!
This is just great!!! Is it possible to request worsted weight yarn when ordering? I was all set to order, but then saw it said Sport or Worsted.
I heard about the red scarf project last November and knit two scarves. I’m determined to start this summer and double my contribution to four scaves. Thanks for supporting such a great project!
Hi Ruth! We’ll hook you up with worsted- no worries!
I just ordered my yarn and I can hardly wait to begin. Thanks for this opportunity.
I love this project. But, while I should just order some red and knit it, I have some wonderful roving, so think I’ll do handspun. And . . . I bought some red dye today, so will try my hand at that!! My fingers and toes are all crossed for good luck. Did I say I love this project?? Thanks, Susie, for doing this! You’re the best. xoxo
Would one skein of yarn be enough for a scarf???
Hi Kathleen! It depends on your pattern. Our worsted skeins are 330 yards, enough yardage for some patterns. Check your pattern and order accordingly or search ravelry for patterns that fit your yardage.
I’m just checking in on the 25th, and all the skeins are gone. Is there any more to be had? I’d love to knit a red scarf. Thanks.
Oh my goodness. Please change that to “Are” there any more to be had. I popped back by to check on comments and read my mistake. Oops, guess it was too late at night for my brain to function.
I’ve just caught up with Norma’s blog and rushed over here to buy some red scarf yarn. Too late, alas. Will you be offering any more? Such a nice thing for you to do–I’ve often wondered why yarn stores haven’t done it before.
We are going to do it again in a couple of weeks! We sort of thought that it would take a month or so to sell them all but the red skeins went like hotcakes. As soon as I get caught up and get back from Squam, I’ll do another blog post and put another 50 or so skeins up.
Thanks so much for commenting!
What a lovely idea. I found your webpage when I bought the Willie pattern and I love the way you run your farm.
Ingelise
Easton PA
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