small things with great love

pattern: Simple Striped Hat, my free pattern

needles: one size US 10 / 5.5 mm 16" circular needle and one set size US 10 / 5.5 mm DPNs

yarn: leftover bits of Hobby Lobby's I Love This Yarn! in light grey and purple sparkle. Coral yarn first used here.

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Over the weekend, I spent more time than I'd care to admit watching television. I cheered as Americans took home gold while running, throwing, and shooting hoops. I marveled as diving came down to the last dive, with David Boudia winning by the smallest of margins. I cheered as I learned more American women brought home gold than American men (yay women!) this Olympics, and I reveled in the wonder that is the Olympic Closing Ceremonies.

I also mourned as more soldiers lost their lives.

I mourned as innocent people across Iran were killed and injured in two large earthquakes.

I mourned for the two women in my own neighborhood who were attacked, one of whom was violently sexually assaulted, and the other less than a block from my front door.

In the midst of all this triumph and sadness, I knit two hats (seen above).

I know you think it, because I think it all the time. What good can a hat really do? Even when put into a large group, ten thousand hats don't begin to touch the need this world has. Need for safety, need for food and water. Need for shelter, and need for love.

One hat will not cure a thing, it is true.

Or is it?

“In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love.” – Blessed Mother Teresa

I fully believe the words that Mother Teresa spoke when she said that we can only do small things with great love. One hat, such a small thing. But what kind of difference can it make?

Will it change the face of the planet? Will it simply keep someone warm who otherwise might not be? Will it spark hope in someone feeling lost? Will it bring love and joy to someone in the throes of loneliness? Will it spread a love of knitting, inspiring someone to take up a set of needles?

I have no idea what these two little hats will have to do with the larger world picture. Chances are, they will warm two people's heads for the winter, and not much else. But the small act of knitting a hat, done with great love and compassion may just change the world.

Of this I am sure.

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Lindsay joined in on knitting a few striped hats for her son - check them out here!

If you'd like to join me in knitting striped hats during August, link up to this post with your finished hats - I'll be sharing links again next week!

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I'm making 10,000 hats for 10,000 people. These are hats 136 and 137.