Trish Hoskin is selling the pattern for this special bear as a fund-raiser in support of humanitarian relief in Ukraine. The money raised will go to the Canadian Red Cross for its work in the war-torn country.
Like so many Fort Macleod residents and people around the world, Trish Hoskin watched with horror as the Russian army attacks Ukraine.
The death and destruction suffered by the people of Ukraine prompted the Fort Macleod artist to undertake a fund-raiser in support of humanitarian relief.
“My initial thoughts as I watched the coverage was disbelief, outrage, sadness,” Hoskin said. “I continue to feel those things as the days go by.”
Hoskin, who runs a crochet business from her home, created a pattern for a bear wearing blue and gold, the colours of Ukraine.
Hoskin is selling the patterns for $5 on various on-line sites with plans to donate the money to the Canadian Red Cross for its work in Ukraine.
The federal government will match all donations made to the Red Cross.
The war in Ukraine has prompted an emotional response and strong feelings toward Russian President Vladimir Putin from Hoskin and other Canadians.
“First it makes me feel so angry and outraged that it’s even happening,” Hoskin said in an interview Friday. “It’s sickening to witness this war and the depraved actions of Putin. Which is another layer to consider —the fact that civilians in Russia don’t support the war and are putting themselves in danger by protesting.”
“Secondly, I feel inspired by the people of Ukraine. In the face of it all, the violence, incessant bombing, child-killing, they remain so strong and focused on defending their home. That blows me away. They won’t be broken.”
“Thirdly, I feel something far beyond grateful to be living in Canada, to live in my secure and warm home, knowing my peaceful husband isn’t off to fight in a war.”
Almost as soon as the invasion began Hoskin began to think about a fund-raiser in support of humanitarian relief in Ukraine.
She learned the Canadian government would donate up to $10-million to match money raised by the Canadian Red Cross, which has collected close to $30-million.
Hoskin knew that any money she can raise would double, thanks to the Canadian government’s support of the Red Cross.
“I’ve used my pattern writing skills and crochet pieces to raise money for several charities over the years so I knew what I had to do,” Hoskin said. “Being so far from Ukraine, it just seemed like it was something I could do, small as this contribution may be.”
One of the people who follows Hoskin’s Facebook page for her crochet business lives in Sumy, an area of Ukraine hit hard by the Russian attack.
Hoskin has attempted to contact the woman, with no success, but she has “liked” some Facebook posts.
“I pray she got out and is doing okay,” Hoskin said. “I wish I could do more to help.”
By creating a crochet pattern, Hoskin provides people with the ability to make the bears and use them as a fund-raiser of their own if they wish.
“And secondly, although I’d love to make a bunch of bears, I don’t have time,” Hoskin added.
Hoskin chose a bear for her pattern because of their universal appeal and, she pointed out, teddy bears are meant to be comforting.
Hoskin has written crochet patterns for several years, learning the complicated language, terms and abbreviations. Crochet involves math and being one stitch count off can mess up the pattern, so it is critical the designer is accurate and writes clearly.
The feedback Hoskin has received is that the pattern is quick and easy.
Hoskin set out with a goal of raising $100, which she has already surpassed. She has sold about 50 patterns, and now hopes to sell 50 more.
“Some people have even bought several patterns, just so they can contribute more,” Hoskin said. “But us creatives, we do good things with our skills and big hearts. There are quite a few beautiful fund-raisers by all kinds of makers out there.”
People who do not crochet can buy the patterns as gifts for those who do, or they can simply contribute money to the fund-raising effort.
You can reach Trish Hoskin through her Facebook page Trish Fatladycrochet or find the pattern at https://www.ravelry.com/…/library/fundraiser-for-ukraine and https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/1172445706/pdf-pattern-fundraiser-for-ukraine.
“I hope that it’s inspired others to do the same, to help and contribute in creative ways,” Hoskin said of her crochet fund-raiser. “It’s so much better to be able to do something, however small, than to feel helpless.”
