Kids and the world, can't we all just get along?

For some reason I've been reading a lot of people's opinions lately about when, and where, it's "appropriate" to take your children; and how many people, even parents themselves, often wish children weren't around. Earlier this week at a knitting event, Larissa had a particularly ugly run-in with a woman who evidently was in the "children should be neither seen nor heard" camp, and Stephanie Pearl-McPhee (who was speaking during the whole brouhaha) weighed in on her blog.

While it was long and, in the Yarn Harlot's particular style, a bit self-effacing and entirely funny, it was also just about the most honest and lovely and graceful statement about how adults and children should interact in public (no matter where or when they are) that I've read in some time. It made me feel a little bit better about the other night, when my two older boys, a little wired from being tired and hungry, crawled back and forth under our table at a neighborhood Mexican restaurant (La Bamba on Powell, where the servers are always lovely and indulgent). They disrupted no one but me and the older couple sitting next to us couldn't have been more generous about it. "We had young children once!" they said gaily.

Knitting with a Serious Purpose

I haven't counted, but it must be true that Portland has more knit shops per capita than any other city on the planet.  I can almost hear the needles clicking around town right now!  Truth is, I am a mediocre knitter with no patience for delayed gratification (and heaps of unused yarn in the basement, natch).  But it's all this charity knitting that intrigues me -  the preemite hats, the veterans & bereavement blankets, afghans for Afghans. 

Any urbanMamas busy charity knitting?  If so, any recommendations for good local programs or groups to connect with?  What a cool way to involve your kids in making something for others, learning a clearly useful craft. Quick baby hats, piecework blankets - doesn't get any easier.  If you're a knitty mama, how about an urbanMamas kid charity knitting project this winter?  Read more and share you knitting passion over on Activistas.

Mommy 'n' Me Knitting

Thanks for the feedback on Mommy 'n Me Knitting.  Sydney's Cafe is proud to present its first of an ongoing group for mamas and their little ones to gather an knit.  It's a great time for those of all ages and skill levels:

• Have your child learn to knit
• Finish that knitting project you have been working on
• Meet up with a friend to chat and knit
• Cozy up to comfy chairs and a latte while learning this craft
• Collaborate with other knitters in the community
• And simply have a wonderful Saturday morning!

Everyone is welcome!  Every Saturday beginning February 3rd at 10 AM.

Sydney's
1800 NW 16th Avenue
sydneyscommunity@gmail.com
503 241 4313

updated March 1, 2007:  Due to schedule conflicts, Mommy 'n' Me knitting will now be every SUNDAY at 10 AM.

Red Scarf Project 2007

Care packages from family were such a big thing in college, especially in the earlier months and years. Can't say that I was ever a recipient of frequent care packages...

Now that we've helped with Caps to the Capital and Warm Up America, it's time to support the Red Scarf Project 2007. The Orphan Foundation of America is collecting red scarves to send to unadopted foster youth in college:

The red scarves that knitters and crocheters make for this project will be put in Valentine's Day 2007 care packages for these very brave young people who, despite many hardships, are attending college. Getting these packages will let them know they are cared for and hopefully give them encouragement to stay the course. Think of the scarf you make as a hug for someone who, despite all odds, is working hard to get an education and trying to make his or her life, and therefore the life of our extended community, better.

See the guidelines, and knit fast! They are only accepting scarves through January.

NE Knitting Mommies

Calling all nifty, knitty mamas.  Here's Chrissy's group:

Hi! I saw your post on Urban Mamas calling for knitting groups/playgroups that would be open to Urban Mamas. I am running a couple of knitting groups right now - we're called the NE Knitting Mommies. We've been meeting regularly on Monday nights from 7-9, usually at my home in NE (Beaumont-Wilshire area) but also at coffee shops around the eastside. We also just started meeting as an afternoon knit/play group on Thursdays between 1 & 5. Not much knitting gets done, but we still have fun! Anyone who might be interested in joining us should e-mail me - mailto:sevenby30@hotmail.com - for more info.

Knitty Knitty Bang Bang

Are you a knitty mama?  I'm not.  But, I do know that there are lots of knitting mamas out there!  Some of our pdx mama bloggas on the left are some knitting mamas, including Knitting Mama Phenom, StitchMarker Mama, Semaphoria, to name a few.  Who else?  Any ideas for some classes, events, or resources intown for a newbie like me?