It's Sisters Week - Meet Debbie Fring!

Debbie (left) and Susan (right) fashioning hand knit hats!

We have something special going on right here...and it isn't just the Ann Norling Knit Red giveaway (stop by tomorrow for the unveiling of the winner!). It's sisters week here on the Stitch Red Blog and we're extremely excited to introduce you to Debbie Fring and Susan Glenfield - the Bell Sisters! Both of these wonderful ladies are contributing adorable patterns to our Stitch Red campaign and they so graciously agreed to share their stories with you this week!

Let me introduce you to bellsisterDebbie - she (and her sister) have been designing chemo hats since their father was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2003. Not only supporting chemo patients with their cuddly caps, but now supporting heart health awareness! Here's Debbie's story...

Why did you choose to get involved with the Stitch Red Campaign? What does fighting heart disease mean to you?

Nanny & Debbie!

The Stitch Red campaign caught my eye, first, because I love Jimmy Beans Wool so much and noticed it while shopping on their website - ordering more yarn! As I read more about it, I really was shocked to learn that heart disease is the #1 killer of women, more than all cancers combined! My sister (Susan Glenfield, AKA bellsistersusan on Ravelry.com) and I have been focused on designing stylish chemo caps since our dad's diagnosis with lung cancer in 2003. We have been designing and knitting chemo hats like crazy as cancer seems to be so common these days. My daughter is an oncology nurse, so we frequently donate our hats to her cancer center and, thus, hear a lot about people with cancer diagnoses. But actually, for women, heart disease is really the bigger, perhaps more silent problem. Heart disease runs like crazy in our family, so I really had a wake up call, personally.

What product have you created for the Stitch Red campaign? What was your inspiration behind it?

I created the Lizzie Hat pattern (shown below). My inspiration was my 103 year old grandmother, Elizabeth, who only recently passed away! She had one strong, healthy heart (and good genes)! 

Do you have a heart healthy tip to share?

For me, I tend to be much too serious for my own good! So, to manage my stress better I make an effort to be more lighthearted, laugh more, be more positive and optimistic. I am fortunate to be married to a very funny guy who keeps me laughing and who is just a big optimist. 

What gets your heart racing?

My husband tells me that HE gets my heart racing! Must be true, as we celebrate 40 years of marriage this August (congratulations!) He has really helped me to laugh and not be so serious. He is a big "role model" for exercise...I don't think he has missed a day of exercise his whole life! He has a sunny disposition and I think that has helped him to stay so vibrantly healthy all these years.

As far as knitting goes, there is great reward for me in getting feedback from women who knit my chemo hats for friends or family. I love hearing how those hats bring smiles or a bit of joy to their journey through chemo treatment; especially knowing the hats were knit with love, especially for them! 

This sister team sure is sticking it to heart disease one stitch at a time! We just love their enthusiasm for taking a stand to support cancer, and now, heart disease! Stay tuned, this Thursday we will have Susan Glenfield (bellsistersusan) share her Stitch Red story!

How does knitting get YOU through life's ups and downs?

Stitch Red Newsletter and NEW Partners

We are thrilled to announce that the Stitch Red newsletter is almost ready! If you signed up at Stitches or on the website, keep your eye on your inbox for the first issue that will be coming out next week. Thank you SO much to each of you for your support. We have some exciting updates to share with you and we are looking forward to all of your feedback. This campaign depends on grassroots support and we hope you'll help us make it the best it can be.

If you haven't signed up for the newsletter yet because you're wary of excessive e-mails, we understand. That's why we're keeping our newsletter short, sweet and monthly. In each issue we'll give you tips on how to keep your ticker happy and healthy. We'll also include the latest  news on the campaign (including updates on the upcoming Knit Red book) and a few of our favorite Stitch Red products and partners.

Lizzie Hat by Bellsisterdebbie

Speaking of products and partners, the campaign is still growing as more designers and local yarn stores join the cause! Check out some of our newest Stitch Red products, like the Lizzie Hat by Bellsisterdebbie on Ravelry. You can also visit the Partners page for an updated list of official Stitch Red partners, including independent designers like Susan Glenfield and Knit Girl in Idaho. These lovely ladies, along with our other partners, have pledged to donate 5% of their profits from their Stitch Red products to the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health in support of The Heart Truth®. Thanks ladies! Also be sure to keep an eye on our growing LYS list for shops near you!