365.349 – Ubiquity, thy name is Ishbel, originally uploaded by earthchick.

My best friend from college, Jen, lives with cystic fibrosis. When I was growing up, the average life expectancy of a child with a diagnosis of CF was horrifyingly short. A girl in my high school died of it at the age of 15. Over the last few decades though, the life expectancy has increased rather dramatically – in 2000, the average life expectancy was 32 (which was already way above what it had been in the 80s and 90s), now it’s 37; I expect it to keep increasing. Research has consistently led to improvements in treatment and care; my hope is that the life expectancy of people with CF continues to increase exponentially as a result.

So when a mom at our preschool contacted me about making something for a silent auction to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, (in memory of a friend of hers who died of CF last November) I didn’t have to think twice. I jumped at the chance to make a contribution. I love the idea of directly contributing to research that has already helped extend lives and may yet prove to save them. Captivated by Heather’s gorgeous Ishbel in HazelKnits sock yarn, I decided to make one myself, in the same yarn.

pattern: Ishbel by Ysolda Teague
yarn: HazelKnits Artisan Sock Yarn, in “beach glass” (less than 1 skein)
needles:size 6
cast on: April 19
finished:May 3
modifications: none
verdict: I love it so much. The pattern was super-fun (and super-quick) and the yarn (90% superwash wool, 10%nylon) was a dream. I would love to make one just like this for myself (but it might have to wait awhile).

If you are local, the Art for the Cure fundraiser is at Conor O’Neill’s Celtic Room, Saturday, May 30, starting a 7:00pm. You can read more about it here.

If you can spare a prayer or positive thought for Jen, please do. She recently had her worst pulmonary function test ever. But she has an indomitable spirit, so I’m hopeful this is just a blip along the way. Currently, there is no cure for CF, but it’s amazing what gains research has made in terms of treatment and life-expectancy. I am hopeful.