November 2005: CLOSE KNIT HUGS has received much support from two newspaper articles and "word of mouth" via emails of our project. The first weekend of this month some friends and I gathered in the Upper Pennisula and between laughs and shopping pieced together three blankets, almost finished one, taught someone how to knit and involved a few "non-knitters" in our efforts. We want to send at least ten blankets to the Blankets for the Gulf project by December 1, and we are well on our way! Toupin Chiropractic Clinic in Lewiston and Grayling, Michigan has begun a knitted/crocheted square Christmas Tree for the holiday season! Instead of mittens, Dr. Toupin encourages her patients to decorate the trees with squares! Please forward our site to your friends and acquaintances. We need to see more states colored in purple!