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2/6/12
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FOREWORD
Caing focause For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been making something. I graduated from making clothes for my Barbie dolls to making clothes for myself. Spool knitting took me to “real” knitting. In high school home economics class, when we were told to crochet a pot holder, I made an entire afghan. From my earliest days, I’ve loved to be able to say “I did it myself.” If you’re a crafter, you know the feeling.That sense of satisfaction that comes from knowing that if you can knit a scarf or a sweater, well, you can do just about anything! Chances are most of what you make isn’t for yourself. You might think you’re making something for yourself, but often the project turns out so terrific you just have to share it with someone else. I was delighted to say yes to Laura’s request to be a part of Knit Red. You’ll find plenty of inspiring projects you’ll want to make for the people you care about, and that will also keep your crafty engines revved up. And that in turn will keep your most important engine—your heart—working well. Research has shown the repetitive motion of activities like knitting actually has a beneficial cardiac effect, reducing stress hormones and lowering blood pressure and heart rate. It’s just as effective as yoga— and, if you ask me, a lot easier! If you have a family history of heart disease, as I do, that’s even more reason to keep your needles handy. If you don’t have a family history, you still have a heart, so it’s important to know that heart disease is the number-one killer of women in America. Eighty percent of women say they’d call 911 if they thought someone else was having a heart attack, but barely half would call if they thought they were having a heart attack themselves! We women are accustomed to putting everyone else first, but ladies, if we don’t take care of ourselves, we won’t be here to help the people we love. This book will help you educate yourself about heart disease and the signs of a heart attack. Learn the important information here about staying healthy. Share what you learn with the women you care about: your sister, your mom, your best friend. Pick a pattern and stitch away, know that while you’re “knitting red,” you’re improving your own health. I get tickled pink just thinking about it! Deborah Norville