Because of the significance of the peacebuilding work of Peace Fleece company, all are encouraged to use their yarns in this project. In addition to co-producing yarn with shepherds from the former Soviet bloc countries, Peace Fleece has worked projects with sheep farmers in Israel and the West Bank. Peace Fleece’s “Baghdad Blue” yarn contributes especially to peacebuilding in Israel by directing all proeceeds from the sale of this yarn 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 yarn is a symbol of peaceful coexistence in Israel – please do use it for any of the knitted elements in this project. 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.
For leaves
- Peace Fleece’s “Baghdad Blue” worsted wool, or any other green or gray yarn (worsted weight wool, cotton or acrylic); the variety of hues of the knitted olive leaves will only enhance the beauty of our collaborative sculpture.
- use the patterns provided or linked on the Patterns page , vary them as you like, or use your own, work in single or double strands of yarn, felt them or sew them. Just make your leaves approximately 5-8″” long, with 10-12” tails so that they can be tied securely to the tree.. 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” or Antarctica White, can be used with the patterns provided on the Patterns page.
- 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 as part of a flock gathered in its shade.
For candles:
- Any worsted weight white or cream-colored yarn (wool, acrylic or cotton), or Peace Fleece’s “Baghdad Blue” or Antarctica White, can be used. Try to keep candles no taller than 10″ (including “flames”). You can use the patterns provided as a guide, or your own, and leave long tails so that the candles can be attached to the sculpture platform.
When you’re done, drop your leaves into an ordinary envelope (no special padding or packaging should be needed); candles and/or doves may need some padding (but boxes won’t fit through the mail slot). 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; these will be featured on the website and eventual installation.
Then send them to:
The TikkunTree Project
c/o Ready to Hand Studio
731 South 22nd St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Deadline: while we hope to have an olive tree art exhibit organized and installed eventually in Philadelphia, the TikkunTree Project is currently an open, rolling community endeavor, and the emerging branches and foliage are shared as they visit knitting circles and other venues. However, since tying the leaves to the tree is labor intensive, you are encouraged to send your leaves as soon as possible so that they can enrich the tree and encourage others’ participation.
Thank you very much for participating in this special peace project.
Any questions or additional information can be sent to:
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
welcome | about | patterns | reflections | links | sharing
rev. 2.16.13
I would like to make a few from my handspun, so am sending you my info and let me know when the deadline is approaching.
Some handspun leaves would be a wonderful addition to the TikkunTree, and we look forward to seeing them soon!
Leslie
I’m interested in starting a project to knit baby blankets for Palestinian newborns in the occupied territories and camps. Is there a project like this already that I could join? Is anyone else interested in doing this?
Thanks.
Amy
Your idea is a wonderful one, Amy! I’ve tried to recruit others to knit for children in the occupied territories and camps in the past, and for Iraqi children. I don’t know that there is anything like a blanket project organized yet, but I’d be glad to contribute something that is put together.
To be part of the TikkunTree project, I think that items should be sent to both Palestinian and Jewish communities on either side of the border – to advance the underlying purpose of the TikkunTree. I’ve thought of asking for “comfort dolls” to send to all these children – what do you think?
Leslie
What a wonderful idea.
Amy, I would love to start a project for Palestinian babies in the occupied territories and camps. I am also working on an idea like Afghans for Afghans and The Dulaan Project for Chechnya, and am in contact with a doctor there who works with the homeless and orphans. Please contact me safiyah@gmail.com and we can work something out!
Leslie, your Tikkun Tree idea is wonderful. Please show us updated pics of the leaves that have been donated thus far. What will be used for the trunk?
-Safiyah
[…] dedication: The TikkunTree Project. Perhaps some people like to participate in the project (guidelines of project) with a leaf or a […]
[…] Einem Blog möchte ich den ‘Lemonade award for attitude and gratitude’ doch weitergeben, aber nicht wegen der Anleitungen, um die es hier bei unikatissima ja geht, sondern weil Leslie sich mit nimmermüdem Einsatz für den Frieden zwischen Israel und Palästina einsetzt: es geht um das The TikkunTree Project. Vielleicht hat der eine oder andere von Euch ja Lust, mit einem Blatt oder einer Taube an dem Projekt teilzunehmen (weitere Angaben zum Projekt). […]
I would love to do some leaves, and I have some green yarn in my stash. Is it okay if I use that? I really can’t afford to buy yarn right now. I’m glad to know about Peace Fleece for the future. Let me know your thoughts and whether or not they’d be acceptable.
The TikkunTree Project welcomes contributions made with any kind of fiber in your stash – we look forward to receiving your leaves.
Thanks for considering knitting for peace!
I love it. I will happily make some leaves. Reading some comments above, I wonder if your leaves, post exhibit travels, could be sewn into Leaf Blankets for Babies. My head is now filled with images of little baby-cocoons ->those extra large socks you put a baby in to let it feel restricted & calm, like swaddling. I want to make a Leafy Green One!
The TikkunTree has been in hibernation, licking its wounds since Operation Cast Lead (and my long bout with double carpal tunnel inflammation) … but we are so thrilled by the renewed interest in the project … and the need for it couldn’t be any greater after recent events.
So YES, PLEASE DO SEND LEAVES! in small-ish, soft-pack envelopes (boxes will not fit through the mail slot).
The new address is:
The TikkunTree Project
Ready to Hand Studio
731 S. 22nds Street
Philadelphia, PA 19146
I would love for the TikkunTree to travel once it is large enough to have a real presence in the community. In the meantime, I will create a virtual exhibit of contributions to the project, and find a way to create a virtual TikkunTree for us to share. Thank you so much for your enthusiasm and ideas – I am so re-invigorated by the wonderful support of the project!
[…] The “peace tree” grows through contributions by knitters, embroiderers, sewers, and crocheters with an interest in Middle East peace, specifically peace in Israel. Crafters from all over the world submit leaves, olives, and doves which are suspended from a knitted tree trunk structure. If you’d like to be a part of this noble project, guidelines are available here. […]
I am a Saori weaver. I made some peace doves with fabric I wove, then cut and sewed into the shape of a dove. Could I send them to be included in your peace project?
Yes, of course, woven Saori leaves would be WONDERFUL!
Since developing carpal tunnel inflammation in both hands, I have also become a Saori weaver (and my Ready to Hand Studio is, in fact, a Saori studio!). All manner of leaves are welcome on the TikkunTree — knitted, crocheted, sewn, painted, woven, etc. The only limit is our imagination (and perhaps a size limit ….).
Are you still collecting leaves, doves and candles for this project? I just found out about it and would like to help.
Yes, yes, yes … you are welcome to contribute leaves, doves and candles, in any textile medium you like.
Your participation would be splendid!
I would love to knit for this project. Let me know how I should start the leaves, or should I use my own pattern.
Rae, you may use any pattern you like, as long as the leaves are “leaf-like” in size, so that I can actually attach them to the TikkunTree. Think sculptural, knit peacefully … for peace!
[…] For guidelines (although I will be using non-animal/vegan yarn), visit: https://thetikkuntree.wordpress.com/guidelines/ […]