It’s my second day at the MSF-UK headquarters in London as p/hop’s new co-ordinator. I’m sitting at my desk while someone is on the phone to the Congo. In the corner of the room there is a discrete copy of the Nobel Peace Prize which MSF won in 1999. I’m in awe of how knitting really can make a difference to people’s lives and feeling privileged that we can help in such a fun way.

Anyway, enough of my misty eyed ramblings. I’ve hit the ground running and am busy organising a press release for p/hops first birthday at the end of November. We will have more news on that and how you can help next week. I’m looking forward to getting to know you all better and seeing what projects both knitting and fund-raising you are up to. We welcome any ideas and suggestions. Please do get in touch either via the p/hop ravelry group, the comments section below or by email, p-hop@london.msf.org

I’m sending out a big thank you to my predecessor Louise for doing such a great job in p/hops first year. I’ve got a lot to live up to.

About me, I’ve been knitting with a vengance since my best friend had her first baby in 2005 when I made my first pullover, albeit a teeny tiny newborn pullover. Since then my stash has outgrown my flat and I like to dream we can solve all the world’s problems through knitting which again brings me back to p/hop. I’ve travelled and volunteered in developing countries and have seen first hand how just a small amount of cash can make a huge difference. I think p/hop is brilliant, combining a love of fibre arts with a passion to change lives in the often forgotten corners of the world.

I’m in the office one day a week where I’ll be nagging encouraging Pete to finish his scarf, meeting other members of the MSF team and pulling together fund-raising ideas.  There are also the tentative beginnings of an MSF knitting group…

Happy knitting, crocheting, spinning, weaving, felting, braiding and any other fibre art I may have neglected to mention.

Clare

PS. Pete really has thrown me in at the deep end and made me make a video. I now understand how actors feel when they can’t watch themselves back. Anyway, I hope you enjoy watching it.