KnittyBlog shares a press release...for good reason

I normally don't do this here, but this is too important. Everyone, please pass the word on... [and if your heart doesn't beat faster when you get to the part about the Forest Path Stole, something is certainly wrong with you. :-)].

From our friends at Interweave Press:

Fifteen stunning pieces of handmade jewelry, art, clothing and accessories featured in the pages of Interweave Press’s craft magazines and books will be up for auction on eBay September 16–26 to benefit relief and rehabilitation efforts for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Working through the eBay Giving Works charitable auction program, Interweave Press will donate all money raised through the auction to the American Red Cross’s Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund.

*The designers of the auction pieces are incredible artists and philanthropists who work on our staff or have been featured in our publications, and I thank them for personally donating their creations to help raise money for such an important cause,* says Creative Director and Founder Linda Ligon.

Show-stopper pieces up for auction include a chunky malachite and silver necklace made with beads of various shapes, sizes and shades of green; three adorable handknitted dog sweaters in sizes small to large; a 100 percent alpaca lace-knitted stole featured in the Summer 2003 issue of Interweave Knits, photographed in New Orleans; The Big Easy Christmas stocking, which is as playful and fun as the city we love; and a Rafael Matias beaded painting.

Each original piece will be auctioned with a copy of the magazine or book in which the design first appeared, or in the case of editor contributions, will be sent with the latest issue of their respective magazines. The complete list of items up for auction can be viewed here, and are listed below:

* Faith, an original beaded painting by Rafael Matias, featured on the Dec. 2002/Jan. 2003 cover of Beadwork. Rafael is best known for his Venetian glass and bead mosaics, which reflect his favorite themes of heart, soul, and spirit.

* Embellished Fingerless Gloves, designed by Elyse Allen, an instructor at the Rhode Island School of Design whose work has been featured in the New York Times. The gloves were featured in the Sept./Oct. 2004 issue of Fiberarts.

* Forest Path Knitted Lace Stole, featured in the Summer 2003 issue of Interweave Knits, which was photographed on location in New Orleans; designed by Faina Letoutchaia, who drew upon the lace-knitting traditions of her Russian homeland of the Shetland Islands to create this stunningly elegant alpaca stole.

* Handwoven Laptop Case by Liz Gipson, managing editor, Handwoven magazine and featured in the Dec. 2005 issue.

* Handwoven Night Life Scarf, made with merino wool by Madelyn van der Hoogt, editor of Handwoven.

* Elegant Socks, designed and knitted by Nancy Bush, PieceWork contributor and author of Knitting Vintage Socks. The socks appeared in the March/April 2002 issue of PieceWork.

* Wrist Warmers with Handspun Yarn, featured in the Summer 2005 issue of Spin-Off, designed by Amanda Berka, assistant editor. Amanda used a selection of readers’ yarns with fiber contest including cellulose and protein, submitted to the Your Yarns! Department.

* Baby Booties with Handspun Yarn, spun and knitted by Amy Clarke Moore, editor of Spin-Off.

FROM INTERWEAVE’S BOOK PUBLISHING PROGRAM:

* The Big Easy Christmas Stocking from Christmas Stockings, designed by Tara Manning.
* Naughty but Nice Victorian Elegance Christmas Stocking,designed by Sasha Kagan and appearing in Christmas Stockings by Tara Manning.

* Mean Green Necklace designed by Jamie Hogsett, from the new book Stringing Style: 50+ Fresh Bead Designs for Jewelry by Jamie Hogsett.

* Wool Shawl with Embroidered Floral Motif designed by Ann Caswell and appearing in Stitching a Legacy: American Needlework Projects and Stories, PieceWork magazine in association with the Peabody Essex Museum. The inspiration for this beautiful black shawl was a circa 1880 wool dress embellished with silk embroidery—a classic example of “art needlework.”

* Native American Inspired Blanket Sweater, from Dogs in Knits by Judith L. Swartz.

* Peruvian Treasure dog sweater, from Dogs in Knits by Judith L. Swartz.

* Fetching Fair Isle Jumper dog sweater, from Dogs in Knits by Judith L. Swartz.

"Interweave Press and our employees are compelled to help the thousands who have been affected by this tragedy; this eBay auction is our creative effort to offer financial support. Even if they don’t participate in the auction, we’re encouraging our readers and all the industry to send monetary donations to their specific relief funds of choice," says President Marilyn Murphy.