Back in December the lovely people at The Knitter magazine invited us to feature in their gallery pages. Issue 28, featuring p/hop, is now in the shops and you can find us on page 82, nestled amongst some gorgeous patterns and interesting articles.

The Gallery features a knitting group  with items individual members have knitted so I asked our Ravelry group memebers to send their items in. They look fabulous. We would like to thank the marvellous team at The Knitter who are always so supportive.

The patterns featured in the article are Cranford Mitts, Flowers in the Rain Scarf, Trinity Shawlette, Hydrangea Scarf and Ruth’s Harvest Socks and you can browse all the p/hop patterns on our main pattern page.

If you’ve found us for the first time after reading the article welcome to p/hop. Please join in the fun in our friendly Ravelry group and follow us on twitter @msf_phop to help us spread the word about p/hop and MSF and feel free to leave us a comment below.

If you would like to know more about Médecins Sans Frontières, which is the reason why we are here, please take a look at their website. They do some pretty amazing work and have an excellent ethos. I love the way we can help this happen through knitting. If you would like to make a donation for a pattern or yarn swap or just because you like us please click on the Just Giving widget on your right. (You even add this to your blog to spread the word even further). Thank you.

… my hair stylist, my local yarn shop, my bus driver…

As you may have noticed it’s the awards season with Baftas, Globes of Gold and a small man named Oscar filling our news headlines.

However it’s not just Hollywood that has awards. p/hop has been shortlisted for a Just Giving Award in the Most Creative Fundraiser category. This is very exciting. The judges are meeting today so we will soon know if we are in the final three which would mean a trip to the Emirates Stadium (meaning Pete would have to finally finish his scarf) for the awards ceremony. Even if we don’t make the final three it’s great to be shortlisted. You can read about us and the other deserving shortlisters here on the Just Giving website.

If you use twitter you can also help us with the Shorty Awards, twitter’s annual award ceremony. At the moment Justin Bieber and his many fans seem to be dominating the charity category but I’m sure knitters can take over and get us in the top 5. This isn’t because we want to win (well ok, we do a little) but if we get and stay in the top five it’s a great way to spread awareness about p/hop and about MSF. The Shorty website does seem a tad wonky so if your vote doesn’t show up please try again.

If you would like to vote for us please visit the Shorty Awards website, nominating @msf_phop in the #charity category.

It’s been lovely reading the reasons you have given for nominating p/hop. Here are a few of them:

@andallthatstash I nominate @msf_phop for a Shorty Award in #charity because it gives a close knit community an international goal

@JenACknitwear I nominate @msf_phop for a Shorty Award in #charity because... it’s such a simple, inclusive idea and an amazing cause.

@Gingoddess I nominate @msf_phop for a Shorty Award in #charity because it proves without doubt that small actions can do huge good

@alpacaaddict I nominate @msf_phop for a Shorty Award in #charity because…I can knit and save the world at the same time.

And one last one from Natalie who started p/hop…

@theyarnyard I nominate @msf_phop for a Shorty Award in #charity because… it’s like knitting love into every stitch.

You can also help us spread the word by letting your friends know about us and the shorty awards. Thank you to everyone who has voted so far.

The finalists in the Just Giving Awards are being announced on Thursday so we’ll let you know how we get on. We’re keeping our fingers crossed, except Pete who is still finishing his scarf…

Happy New Year Everyone. Before we launch headlong into 2011 I’m going to take a few moments to look back over 2010. What a year it was, we were here there and everywhere meeting hundreds, if not thousands of friendly and generous knitter, but you know all that (well you do if you read the blog). One of the things I love about p/hop is when people are inspired to make a difference and raise money which will enable MSF to provide vaccines, midwives, nutrition and other life saving care to people who desperately need it.

Take for example IsobelM who asked for a collecting tin and some info on p/hop and MSF to add to a display on knitting in her local library in the Isle of Man.  Or Shelia who always makes a donation through Just Giving whenever there is a birthday in the family, remembering those who have very little in life at times of personal celebration. Or Rhoda who knitted tea cosies to sell for MSF at a local craft cafe and gallery. Or the anonymous knitter who donates for a pattern.  Or Rooknits and Picperfic who coordinated the 2010 raffle blankets and all the individuals who donated their knitting time to make squares to create beautiful throws. All these acts of kindness make a huge difference.

Jacqui, modelling her Flowers in the Rain design at Woolfest in July

You’ve helped Dr Ekdahl deliver two healthy babies to Haseena and Jamila in flood striken Pakistan.You’ve helped prevent, control and treat cholera outbreaks in Haiti. You’ve helped vaccinate thousands of vulnerable people in Niger against meningitis. You’ve helped raise nearly £22,000, over US$4000 and 1,500 Euro for MSF since p/hop started.

Good eh? If you helped p/hop raise money for MSF, in any way, no matter how small, in 2010 give yourself a pat on the back, a nice cup of tea,some knitting time, and start thinking about what we can do in 2011.

Photo from MSF UK

Thank you.

Added at 10pm: After I wrote this the UK fund raising total went over £22,000! What a brilliant start to 2011. Don’t forget you can also donate in US dollars, Euros or make a donation in your local currency to your country’s MSF office.