something

Photo, hood to coast: 5 a.m., exchange #24 by Sarah Gilbert.

If you've been reading here a while, you may remember that last summer I had the extraordinary opportunity to be on an all-moms running team for the Hood to Coast relay. One of my teammates who inspired me to run better and harder, who was always committed and totally gung ho, was Cassie. In the van, we started calling her Cast Iron Cassie because she ran through absolutely anything in the most diligent, even, and hard-assed manner. At the end of each of her legs she collapsed from the effort. It was absolutely clear she'd given her all. In fact, at her first exchange she actually sat down in the exchange shoot, such was her dedication and all-outness. She couldn't even walk another step.

I've been thinking alot about Cassie, because she has had an unbelievable tragedy happen to her and her family. Her husband was out jogging and was killed by a car. Christopher was 37 years old. He and Cassie were training to run in a team together for this summer's relay. The news reports are brief and horrible, and gone already from the stream of Internet time. He was struck by a driver who was not drinking, who had swerved away from an oncoming car. He was jogging on the sidewalk. No one was doing anything wrong. He died later that night at OHSU.

Though it's completely unrelated to knitting, in my life right now I have no other way of dealing with anything. And I was thinking about something I could do for Cassie and her kids.  And in researching the book, I've learned that knitting does play a healing role in life's worst situations.  So even though it's not at all connected in any sense that most people could detect, I am asking for some support via a knitting pattern.

I even started creating a scarf pattern, and it's almost done, except (see last post) I am drowning in work. And I want that pattern to be perfect before I sick it on you, my readers.

So this is what I can and want to do. I've had a lot of requests for the meathead hat pattern, even though the knitalong has ended and the book is not yet available. So what I'd like to do is make the meathead knitting pattern available to anyone for $4.50, and $3 of every sale will go to the Christopher Donn Memorial Fund for his and Cassie's children. This is the only way this pattern will be made available until the book comes out next spring.

I'm not able to figure out right now today how to do a downloadable product with paypal . So it will be an emailed pdf file from me once your payment is complete. You will need to pay by paypal (button below), and I will email the document to the address from which you pay (or to any one email address you designate). You'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open the pattern document. I'll send it to one email address per payment, and it's non-shareable so please consider buying it more than once if you want to give it to friends.

It's a totally simple pattern, and it comes in two adult sizes. You could adjust it for children's sizes quite easily by changing yarn & needles. I guess what I'm saying is, it's so simple. Please don't think of it as buying 5 dollars worth of knitting wisdom, so much as making a contribution in a time of need.

In fact, if you've knitted the meathead pattern already, you could buy it anyway and I'll send it to anyone whose email you designate in the "notes" section on paypal.

I know probably 99% of you don't know this family. But I know you're an empathetic, helpful, and caring bunch. Thank you for your support, and I hope you enjoy.  And hold your loved ones and be thankful.

The pattern sale and fundraiser has ended. Thank you so much for your generous support!

Comments

[Julia]

This is a really nice gesture, Larissa. I was supposed to knit-along and couldn't find the time so close to other deadlines, so I already have the pattern, but I will paypal you a little something for the cause. I am so terribly sorry for your friend. Having lost my brother at an early age, I cannot even fathom how hard it is to lose your husband and the father of your children. I will send my positive energy Cassie's way.

[hau]

Larissa: Thanks so much for posting about this because I too have been consumed with thoughts about Cassie, Chris, and her family. What a gracious way to do a little something. It's such a heartbreaking tragedy.

[Jennifer]

Larissa, I'd like to just send you some $$$, since everyone I know knit Meatheads for you.

[Kathy]

I'm glad that she has you to care about her, especially now.

[sarah gilbert]

thank you for writing this, Larissa, it's something (something) I wanted to write and something I wanted to do. but it was all fuzzy in my brain because I just don't understand.

Cassie's smile has been stuck in my brain since the hood-to-coast, and whenever I think of that sunny stretch of road to Astoria I can't erase the memory of her huge, beaming smile as she ran. I hope that somehow she'll be able to find that smile, again.

[Lori]

Hmmmm .... I'm sitting here drinking my coffee this morning, the day after the funeral and am not sure what to think. Larissa, I have been lurking here since I stumbled upon your blog a few months ago, but it is apparent now is the time to finally comment. I'm very touched by your tribute to Cassie and her family. I was with Cassie during the whole ordeal, the hospital, the plans, the funeral, and now the healing. It is going to be a rough, rough road. All the kind words mean so much to her and to me. So, thank you, thank you, thank you.
And, just so you know, the name Cast Iron stills sticks. She is planning on running the Newport Marathon in June (us mommies all have the babysitting for her training runs all lined up) and we are still doing Hood to Coast again this year and will be making it a huge party and tribute to her hubby.

[Carol]

A beautiful tribute. I'm having one sent to a friend since I tested if that's OK.

[stickchick]

Thank you for allowing us to help, even in a small way. I have been wanting to get my hands on your meathead pattern, but now I REALLy want to.

Thank you, thank you for this service you are providing. You are talented and wonderful, but this just tops it!!!

[stickchick]

oooh, I hope it's alright, but I posted your information on my blog too. I don't have huge readers (in my dreams), but every bit helps right?

[Nikki]

I gladly bought a pattern, thank you for being so kind to your friend. For all of us who have lost someone precious to us, it is good to be able to help in some small way. My thoughts are with her and her children.

[mary]

This story is too sad for words. I purchased 2 patterns but please just send me 1 and give the $$ for the other pattern to the family. My thoughts are with them.

[--Deb]

Such awful news--you're a good friend! I just made a contribution . . .

[Lara]

You are a true friend. I purchased a pattern and posted about it on my blog. Wishing her my deepest care and concern . . .

[Carrie]

Thanks for posting this, Larissa. I'm so sorry for your friend's loss - I can't even imagine. I've ordered my meathead pattern, and Cassie and her family are in my thoughts and prayers.

[Sarah]

Wonderful idea - count me in!

[Chrissy]

Hey, Larissa! It was great to run into you at Mabel's this morning, and I thought I'd stop by to check in on your blog. This story is my absolute worst nightmare, and I am constantly worried about my hubby when he's out running. I am going to link to this on my blog and send in a donation for Cassie. Even though I don't know her, I am heartbroken for her and her family.

[scoutj]

Done. I can't even begin to imagine something like this.

[Jennifer]

I am so sorry for your friend's loss. It is unimaginable.

[laura b]

I can't even begin to imagine what your friend is going through. The other night my husband wanted to talk about what I would do if something happened to him and I could barely handle that.

I love that you're selling the pattern to help your friend. I bought one the other day and finished it and blogged about it. Hope to draw more people your way (even though my readership is fairly low).

[Ilsa]

I made this hat last night during a stitch and bitch and now I want to make 8 more! It's like a magic trick!

[cori w]

how tragic. i am so sorry for her loss. i just made my purchase, please send me condolances to the family.

[Anne uk]

My thoughts are with the family from here over the pond.
Have bought a pattern and will pass on the info to friends...take care

[Knittripps]

I think it is wonderful that you are doing something to help the family. Even though I don't know her, my heart goes out to Cassie and her family.

[Carrie]

What a great thing you're doing for your friend, I think I'll pass my pattern on to a friend since I participated in the test knit.

[Cindi]

What a wonderful way to take knitting to a whole new level! Thank you for showing us there are many ways to support the ones we love.

[Amy]

I have no idea who you are or what a meathead hat is but I bought one anyway. I can't even think of the right words to type....

Please let that beautiful woman there are always people who care even if she doesn't know them.

Bless..

[Donna]

Thanks for doing this, Larissa. I worked for Chris, and his loss is really felt at the office. I have been feeling like I wanted to do something more, but did not know what. I am an avid knitter and knitting this hat (I will call it Chris' hat instead of Meathead) will do a great deal of good in the healing process. How fortunate Cassie is to have you in her life.

[WiscJennyAnn]

Such a wonderful thing you're doing!

[Sasha]

What an awesome idea! And I'm so excited - I've been covetting the meathead pattern for ages!! Thank-you!! =D

[Gaile]

I came over from Mind of Winter, and have purchased the pattern. I am so sorry for your friend's loss. She is lucky to have someone like you around her right now.

[LizD]

Hi, I think I've done something foolish. I paid for the Meathead pattern via paypal, then closed the window and did not download the pattern. Sorry for my whoops - Can this be rectified?

[Sara]

My heart also goes out to Cassie and her family after such a tragic loss. My younger sister, an accomplished triathlete and wonderful person, was killed by a truck while riding her bike to work nearly 2 years ago at age 28. She also did nothing wrong. Grief is a hard road, the hardest I've ever experienced. If I can be of any help to Cassie and her family, I can be reached at [email protected]. Sara

[Sara]

My heart also goes out to Cassie and her family after such a tragic loss. My younger sister, an accomplished triathlete and wonderful person, was killed by a truck while riding her bike to work nearly 2 years ago at age 28. She also did nothing wrong. Grief is a hard road, the hardest I've ever experienced. If I can be of any help to Cassie and her family, I can be reached at [email protected]. Sara