Pink Friday

Now that Denver's annual Race for the Cure is done and Lee National Denim Day is past, some have moved on to Halloween or are preparing for Thanksgiving and/or Christmas. I'm still honoring and remembering those who have battled or are battling breast cancer this entire month. Re-reading a past blog post by Fat Cyclist reminded me why I decided back in August to take on Yellow Friday, Teal Friday and Pink Friday, even though my schedule was already full.

In "Like Dandelion Seeds," Fatty (Neldon) describes the day he and his wife Susan learned her tumors had multiplied like crazy. Susan's battle ended 15 months later. My heart swells every time I remember nearly 2,500 people left comments that day.

The post reminded me of the day my friend Shonna learned her tumors had spread too far. The day hope dies. The day you know the battle is done. But you have to keep going until the final moment. And those of us supporting people in that position must maintain a cheerful attitude, even though we know the end is near. (Although it also is important to allow the person suffering, whether someone with cancer or the caregiver, to express their grief and sorrow so as not to keep it pent up.) We have to keep loving, keep supporting and keep helping.

That's why I'm doing Yellow Fridays, Teal Fridays and Pink Fridays, and that's why upcoming holidays can wait. That's why the top of my blog is pink. And all of this is why I hope we one day may find a cure for cancer. (Or better yet, what's causing it so we can eliminate it at the source.) Wouldn't that be a most spectacular gift to the world this Christmas?






In the spirit of honoring those with breast cancer AND thinking ahead to Christmas, here is a nice way to recycle the cones from cotton yarn. Build a tree! Build a pink tree! This makes a wonderful gift for someone going through chemo or radiation. It also is the perfect gift for someone with a family member going through chemo or radiation.

You may do whatever you'd like with trees you make from this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!


Finished Size: 8 inches tall
Materials: 1 2-ounce (approx. 95 yards) skein of worsted yarn, size H crochet hook, 7-inch tall, 2.75-inches across (diameter) cardboard cone such as what comes with bulk worsted cotton yarn


Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 3 (does not count as dc), 4 dc in ring. Sl st in starting dc. Pull magic circle tight.
Round 2: Ch 3 (does not count as dc), 2 dc in each dc around for a total of 8 dc; sl st in starting dc.
Round 3: To begin first round of branches, working only in front loop throughout round, 1 sc in same dc as sl st, * ch 1, 1 dc in next dc, ch 3, sl st in top of dc, ch 1, 1 sc in next dc; repeat from * around 2 times, ch 1, 1 dc in next dc, ch 1, sl st in starting sc; ch 1.
Round 4: Working in back loop of Round 2, 2 dc in same dc as sl st, * 1 dc in each of next 2 dc, 2 dc in next dc; repeat from * around 2 times; 1 dc in each of next 2 dc for a total of 12 dc in round; sl st in starting dc.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.
Round 5: Working only in front loop throughout round, 1 sc in same dc as sl st, * ch 1, 1 dc in next dc, ch 3, sl st in top of dc, ch 1, 1 sc in next dc; repeat from * around 4 times, ch 1, 1 dc in next dc, ch 1, sl st in starting sc; ch 2.
Round 6: Working in back loop of Round 4, 2 dc in same dc as sl st, * 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, 2 dc in next dc; repeat from * around 2 times; 1 dc in each of next 3 dc for a total of 16 dc in round; sl st in starting dc.
Round 7: Working only in front loop throughout round, 1 sc in same dc as sl st, * ch 1, 1 dc in next dc, ch 3, sl st in top of dc, ch 1, 1 sc in next dc; repeat from * around 6 times, ch 1, 1 dc in next dc, ch 1, sl st in starting sc; ch 2.
Round 8: Working in back loop of Round 6, 1 dc in each dc around; sl st in starting dc.
Round 9: Working only in front loop throughout round, 1 sc in same dc as sl st, * ch 1, 1 dc in next dc, ch 3, sl st in top of dc, ch 1, 1 sc in next dc; repeat from * around 6 times, ch 1, 1 dc in next dc, ch 1, sl st in starting sc; ch 2.
Round 10: Working in back loop of Round 8, 2 dc in same dc as sl st, * 1 dc in each of next 4 dc, 2 dc in next dc; repeat from * around 2 times; 1 dc in each of next 4 dc for a total of 20 dc in round; sl st in starting dc.
Round 11: Working only in front loop throughout round, 1 sc in same dc as sl st, * ch 1, 1 dc in next dc, ch 3, sl st in top of dc, ch 1, 1 sc in next dc; repeat from * around 8 times, ch 1, 1 dc in next dc, ch 1, sl st in starting sc; ch 2.
Round 12: Working in back loop of Round 10, 2 dc in same dc as sl st, * 1 dc in each of next 5 dc, 2 dc in next dc; repeat from * around 2 times; 1 dc in each of next 5 dc for a total of 24 dc in round; sl st in starting dc.
Round 13: Working only in front loop throughout round, 1 sc in same dc as sl st, * ch 1, 1 dc in next dc, ch 3, sl st in top of dc, ch 1, 1 sc in next dc; repeat from * around 10 times, ch 1, 1 dc in next dc, ch 1, sl st in starting sc; ch 2.
Round 14: Working in back loop of Round 12, 1 dc in each dc around; sl st in starting dc.
Round 15: Working only in front loop throughout round, 1 sc in same dc as sl st, * ch 1, 1 dc in next dc, ch 3, sl st in top of dc, ch 1, 1 sc in next dc; repeat from * around 10 times, ch 1, 1 dc in next dc, ch 1, sl st in starting sc; ch 2.
Round 16: Working in back loop of Round 14, 2 dc in same dc as sl st, * 1 dc in each of next 6 dc, 2 dc in next dc; repeat from * around 2 times; 1 dc in each of next 6 dc for a total of 28 dc in round; sl st in starting dc.
Round 17: Working only in front loop throughout round, 1 sc in same dc as sl st, * ch 1, 1 dc in next dc, ch 3, sl st in top of dc, ch 1, 1 sc in next dc; repeat from * around 12 times, ch 1, 1 dc in next dc, ch 1, sl st in starting sc; ch 2.
Round 18: Working in back loop of Round 16, 1 dc in each dc around; sl st in starting dc.
Round 19: Working only in front loop throughout round, 1 sc in same dc as sl st, * ch 1, 1 dc in next dc, ch 3, sl st in top of dc, ch 1, 1 sc in next dc; repeat from * around 12 times, ch 1, 1 dc in next dc, ch 1, sl st in starting sc; ch 2.
Round 20: Working in back loop of Round 18, 2 dc in same dc as sl st, * 1 dc in each of next 7 dc, 2 dc in next dc; repeat from * around 2 times; 1 dc in each of next 7 dc for a total of 32 dc in round; sl st in starting dc.
Round 21: Working in BOTH loops throughout round, 1 sc in same dc as sl st, * ch 1, 1 dc in next dc, ch 3, sl st in top of dc, ch 1, 1 sc in next dc; repeat from * around 14 times, ch 1, 1 dc in next dc, ch 1, sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends.

Finish: Slip over cardboard cone. (Tree may be stuffed, too, in lieu of cone, and if your stitches are tight enough, the tree may stand by itself, without any help on the inside.) Decorate if desired. Share with someone going through a difficult time to show you care.


Okay, so I couldn't resist making a Halloween tree! I thought it would be cute with spooky orange and lime green ornaments, but I didn't have time to make them, and I didn't have as many Halloween earrings as I thought I did. Still turned out pretty darned cute, though!

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