Scarves for Special Olympics

Okay, I know most of us are surrounded by snow this week. A great many of us are stuck inside and those that aren't, can truly appreciate the benefits of a good winter scarf. And, on that note, let me tell you about a very special scarf program.As a symbol of unity, community and support within the Special Olympics Movement, handmade scarves will be gifted to the athletes, coaches, families, volunteers and supporters of each participating Special Olympics Program. Thirty-one state programs are participating in this year's Scarf Project. This means every athlete and coach in each of those programs will be given a scarf made of the same two colors. This year's colors are blue and turquoise. All those folks standing together in their scarves should look like a beautiful Caribbean breeze!

A beautiful vision - if only enough scarves are received. The deadlines are approaching fast. (Each participating program has it's own deadline.)


For a crocheter or knitter, producing one simple little scarf does not take a lot of work. If each of my yarn-talented readers made just one scarf, there would be a lot of happy athletes wearing a gift!! The only rules are that you use the specific yarn colors (Red Heart Blue 886 and Red Heart Turqua 512) and they ask that the finished scarf measure 6" x 54"-60". You can use any pattern or design you like or go their website and obtain a free pattern.

For more details and to find where you can send your finished scarf, check out the 2011 Special Olympics USA Scarf Project website or go to their FB page (Scarves for Special Olympics), Twitter (USAScarfProject) or check out their blog at http://ScarvesForSpecialOlympics.wordpress.com

Your help is needed and it is needed now. If you don't knit or crochet, tell those folks you know who do. I have one friend who is all thumbs, but she bought her mom a couple skeins of yarn and Mom's busy turning out a scarf or two a day!!

I hope you will take time to check out the website and the project and, hopefully, you'll whip out a scarf in the next few days. After all, knitting and crocheting are perfect activities for a cold snowy evening.

I'm off to work on another scarf.