WWW: Knitters Doing Good, Lessons from Nanny Olive, Sheep at the Olympics

Ms. Byrnes, knitting for more than 80 years.

100-year-old Ruth Byrnes has been recognized for her contribution to a “knit for newborns” program in Windsor, Ontario. Ruth, who has been knitting for over 80 years, knits because she finds it “keeps her mind sharp and allows her to do something for someone else”. But most of all, it’s just about the knitting… she says “I just want to get at the wool”. I think I love her!

The local town Council has apologized to yarnbombers after a workman removed and threw away a flower-themed yarnbomb installed around the town of Paignton in South Devon, UK. Local residents complained after the work was removed, and the council admitted that they had made a mistake.

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Medal-worthy?

The mammoth Olympic-themed yarnnbomb that was installed earlier this year on Saltburn pier in the UK (and sadly vandalized) has been reinstalled. Great slideshow.

Another Olympic themed yarnbomb, this one government-appproved: covering the pillars at the entrance of the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery with the colors of the Olypmic rings.

Go Steph!

The Power of the Knitters to Do Good: I’m proud to be a knitter, part of the group that has shown such incredible support to Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, the Yarnharlot. Steph is part of a team participating in the Friends for Life Bike Rally, cycling this week from Toronto to Montreal – a distance of over 660km, over 6 days. The goal of the rally is to raise funds for the Toronto People with AIDS Foundation, an organization that provides support to those living with HIV/AIDS. Stephanie, her best friend, her sister and her daughters have together raised nearly $90,000, and their team total is well over $150,000. We’re cheering Steph on as she takes on this personal challenge, and we know she’ll do us proud.

A lovely profile of designer Larissa Brown on the Oregonian blog in which she talks about being taught to knit by her grandmother, Nanny Olive.

Quick hits: a knitter talks about working with the hair of Samoyed dogs. The Olympic Torch, as part of its travels around the UK, dropped in on knit night in Great Sutton, near Liverpool. And director Danny Boyle nods to knitters with the inclusion of sheep in his Olympic Opening Ceremony.

Makes me happy!