Still Time to Join
I'm really enjoying the Six Sox Knitalong where over 700 of us are knitting the same sock pattern at the same time and yet everyone's socks are unique. Different yarns, colors, cuff lengths, heel types, toe types - the only thing every sock has in common is the stitch pattern used.

The October/November sock stitch pattern is Fluted Banister, a forgiving, stretchy, easy to knit, fancy ribbing. I know that because we had a chance to practice the stitch ahead of time by making a toddler or child version of Fluted Banisters for CIC.

For each picture of a pair of completed Fluted Banister CIC socks posted in the Six Sox Knitalong photo section by October 11, the knitter gets an entry in a special drawing. One of the prizes is a 100g skein of Mountain Colors Weaver's Wool yarn in the colorway "Winter Sky." Susan has just announced an additional drawing for a sock pattern of choice from The Knitter.

If you're not a member of the Six Sox Knitalong, it's not to late to join up, knit some cute, quick little socks for a great cause, and possibly win a prize.

If you don't want to join the group but need the perfect pattern for CIC socks, the pattern link is here.

For each pattern in the Six Sox Knitalong, I've challenged myself to knit a pair of corresponding CIC socks and incorporate the stitch pattern into a warm, wool CIC toddler vest.

This is my Fluted Banister vest and socks, knit, washed, and ready to get sent to the central CIC distribution location.

What is CIC?
Each time I write about CIC, someone asks me what it is.

CIC, Children in Common, is a group of parents who adopted children from the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. They were so shocked at the conditions in the orphanages that they banded together to try and help the children that had to be left behind.

It's estimated there are about 700,000 children living in orphanages there.

Winter indoor temperatures in the orphanages hover around 45 Fahrenheit (that's 7 Celsius). That's why CIC requests knit sweaters, vests, socks, in at least 70% wool. I use 100% wool.

The greatest need is for wool worsted weight socks and wool bulky weight vests for the very young children. The older children are taught how to knit for themselves.

The knitted items are sent to a central location (a CIC parent's garage). They are then packed into suitcases and taken directly to the orphanages by couples traveling to the area to pick up a child they are adopting. This prevents the donations from being "side tracked" and sold, never making it to their intended destination.

Hope this inspires you to knit up a pair of CIC Fluted Banisters. They're quick and fun and oh so needed.