The brutal murders of people throughout the world, including young people at a concert in Paris, France, patrons of a gay bar in Orlando, Florida, police officers in the US, and celebrants in Nice, France, shock our senses and cause heartache for many. Let’s join together to help ease those heartaches, knitting scarves for survivors and for family and friends of the victims. Knitting and giving scarves will also help ease our heartaches.

For it is in giving that we receive. -- Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi.

Barbara G. Walker, in “Charted Knitting Designs: A Third Treasury of Knitting Patterns,” named this lace motif “Vortex,” probably because of its likeness to a whirlpool or whirlwind. A “vortex” is something that is overwhelming – a situation or feeling that seems to swamp or engulf everything else. The world situation at this time, with all the violence being experienced, certainly could be viewed as overwhelming. Yet, we must not let it overwhelm us. Let us do whatever it is that we, as individuals, are able to do, to help make the world a better place.

A knitted scarf may provide many kinds of warmth.
Encouragement when a person is in need.
Sunshine when the day appears gray.
Color when everything looks bleak.
Physical warmth when the weather is cold.

Enjoy knitting these scarves and giving them to individuals who need encouragement, sunshine, color and warmth in their lives.