a letter from a soldier

Just wanted to share this sweet note with you, with last names deleted for privacy:

Dear Mrs. K.,

Thank you for the wonderful hat you knit for me! It’s beautiful. As you know, winter has finally arrived in Israel and it’s very cold, especially at night. The hat keeps me very warm, and it’s touching to know that it was made in Teaneck, where I lived for four years.

I wish you and the rest of the kind women in the knitting circle a year of good health, and I hope you have many opportunities to visit Israel.

Kol tuv,

Meir J.

Several of you have said you've been having problems downloading the pattern. I'm not sure why, but am trying to figure out a solution.

And here's a thank you in Hebrew, with a rough translation below:

לתורמות היקרים,

מחלקת הצלפים רוצה לומר תודה רבה על תרומתכם למחלקתנו.

תרומתכם תרמה רבות להעלת מצב הרוח של החיילים בעקבות תרותמתכם...

אנו מאוד מעריכים אנשים כמוכם שפשוט מזמנכם הפנוי סורגים כובעים ופשוט תורמים אותם לחיילים כמונו.

לכן אנו ממש מוקירים תודה רבה על השקעת זמנכם הפנוי ותרומתכם הרבה למחלקתנו.

תודה רבה על הכובעים שבימים קרים אלו ממש מחמם את הראש ואת הלב.

ושוב תודה רבה רבה,

ממחלקת הצלפים.

quickly translated:
The snipers unit thanks you for your contribution to our unit. It lifted our morale. We're very grateful to people like you who use your free time to knit hats for soldiers and contribute them. Thank you for investing your time. In these cold days the hats really warm our heads and hearts.
Thank you very, very much,
The Sharpshooters

Keep 'em coming, dear knitters!
And please remember that all packages mailed to Israel should weigh *less than* 4.4 pounds and have a declared value of *under* $50 -- otherwise they'll be subjected to draconian customs charges on this end.

thanks as always,
Channah

12,000 hats and counting....

The Canadian Jewish News recently profiled my Hats for Soldiers project:

http://www.cjnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19896&Itemid=86

Just want to remind you all that this is the time to get knitting for winter, so please let anyone know who might be interested.

This year's goal: 5000 hats.

thanks for your ongoing support, shana tova,
Channah Koppel

The Fabulous Five from Florida

Thanks so much, EP, for sharing this wonderful picture of happy hat knitters! You ladies are terrific and your efforts are greatly appreciated. Keep 'em coming!

...And any other hat knitters out there who went to send in their photos are invited to do so. I'll be happy to put them up on the blog.

Crochet Away

Today I want to share with you a quote, a photo and...a new pattern!

This, from a kind knitter in California:

"I just want you to know what a blessing this has been to me, on many different levels: a connection to Eretz Israel, the landscape of my heart; a way to serve the brave men and women who defend her; and the comforting meditation of knitting something so simple and humble, yet so important."

Thank you, T.M.!

This photo is from a Givati brigade called Retem that spent their winter in Har Dov and then the Golan Heights, wearing your hats:



It came with a note that said, "Thank you for the wonderful hats. They keep us warm night & day." Just so you should know, we've given out about 3500 hats so far this year and are still going strong.

And, last but not least, a member of the Jerusalem Knit 'n Nosh group who would modestly prefer to be known only by her initials -- ESW -- was intrigued by the challenge of creating a crochet pattern that would mimic the texture and stretchiness of the knit hats. She came up with a terrific pattern (and hat) that's been approved by the army and I'm delighted to be able to share it with you. Please check out the all-new crochet pattern here:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/29835818
I'll post a link to it in the side bar, as well. Please spread the news to all your crocheting friends.

And, as always, my thanks to all you knitters for your warmth and dedication -- keep 'em coming!

Love,
Channah

p.s. I'll be appearing soon on the One Hundred Hats blog, would be happy to get your feedback on my interview there.

An Important Reminder

Sorry I haven't written so long. Just to keep you updated: over 2000 handmade hats have been presented to soldiers this winter -- so far. We hope to give out lots more, so keep 'em coming. Photos coming soon.

Please please PLEASE remember that if you are mailing hats, any package described as having a value of over $50 U.S. will be picked up by Israeli customs and yours truly will have to pay at least that amount (often more) from my own pocket to free the package from customs. There's no big organization here to cover costs, it's just me and my checkbook. No, the customs people don't care that it's a charitable cause. Trust me, I've spent time in their offices pleading my case.

Also, on your end, there's no need to use any "special delivery" type of mail of service -- plain old regular mail, in envelopes or *small* boxes is best (big boxes also seem to arouse the curiosity of the customs officials). It seems to me, from the mail I get, that envelopes are the cheapest way to go -- so that's fine, choose the cheapest option and don't worry, the mail really does get here eventually. Please don't forget to include an email address if you want me to notify you that I've received your package.

Thanks so much everyone! Knit on!