Guidelines

Because of the significance of the peacebuilding work of Peace Fleece company, the use of their yarns in this project is especially encouraged. In addition to working with shepherds from the former Soviet Union and eastern Europe, Peace Fleece is also developing projects with sheep farmers in Israel and the West Bank. Peace Fleece’s “Baghdad Blue” yarn contributes especially to peacebuilding in Israel, as all the proeceeds from its sale are contributed to the bi-cultural Jewish and Palestinian village of Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam in Israel and the Seeds of Peace youth camp for Palestinian and Jewish Israeli children. This bright blue symbol of peaceful coexistence in Israel can be used for any of the knitted elements in this project. Peace Fleece also makes a variety of green yarns, and a white yarn, all of which are welcome contributions to the TikkunTree.

For leaves

• please use only Peace Fleece’s “Baghdad Blue” worsted wool, or green or gray yarn (worsted weight wool, cotton or acrylic). You can use the yarn single or double strand, but keep the leaves between 4-8″ in length.

• Peace Fleece also makes a number of lovely shades of greens, including Shaba Green, Kamachatka Seamoss, Anna’s Grasshopper, Hemlock. Any of these yarns would contribute to the beauty of our peace tree.

• feel free to use whatever medium or dark shade of green or gray you like – the variety of hues of the knitted olive leaves will only enhance the beauty of our collaborative sculpture.

• since the leaves will be tied to the tree, please leave 10-12” at the beginning of the knitting or crochet, to allow them to be tied securely.

• use the patterns provided or linked, or vary them as you like, or use your own. Just make your leaves approximately 4-8″” long, with 10-12” tails. The beauty of the tree will also be enhanced by the variety of leaves contributed, including “mistakes” and “sloppy” stitches.

For peace doves:

• any worsted or white or cream yarn (wool, acrylic or cotton), or Peace Fleece’s “Baghdad Blue”, can be used with the patterns provided (here). Peace Fleece’s green and white yarns are also also makes a lovely “Antarctica White” yarn that would also work well (check here).

• Again, please leave long tails so that the doves can be attached to the tree. Birds larger than 8″ may not make it onto the tree (on account of size and weight), but will be included in the installation as part of a flock. For your information,

For candles:

• Any worsted weight white or cream-colored yarn (wool, acrylic or cotton), or Peace Fleece’s “Baghdad Blue”, can be used. Try to keep candles no taller than 10″ (including “flames”). You can use the pattern provided as a guide, or your own, and leave long tails so that the candles can be attached to the sculpture platform. Again, Peace Fleece “Antarctica White” would also work (check here).

When you’re done, drop your leaves, candles and/or doves into an ordinary envelope (no special padding or packaging should be needed). Feel free to include a brief explanation about your reasons for participating in this project, and/or special wishes or prayers for peace in Israel and the mid-east. Then send them to:

The TikkunTree Project
P.O. Box 2088
Philadelphia, PA 19103

The deadline for submitting leaves is (tba) , a month before we hope to have an olive tree art exhibit organized and installed in Philadelphia. Since we anticipate that tying the leaves to the tree will be labor intensive, we cannot accept leaves after the deadline So do send your leaves to us as soon as possible if you want to participate.

Thank you very much for participating in this special peace project.

If you have more questions or need additional information, email me at:

tikkuntree (at) yahoo (dot) com.

Join our project’s communication group for ongoing information about patterns, workshops, and peace efforts we can share.

Group name: thetikkuntree
Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thetikkuntree
Group email: thetikkuntree (at) yahoogroups (dot) com

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rev. 10.7.07