This information is part of the CIC effort (knitted mostly wool socks for children in crisis). It appeared in the socknitters group on Valentine's day, posted by Elizabeth (email: billeliz@cavtel.net).

The first message was a CIC FAQ.

Here are the most commonly asked questions (for new computer users, FAQs = frequently asked questions) from last year's challenge, with brief answers. I've used quotation marks to separate the questions from the answers, because a lot of email programs won't distinguish different typefaces; I hope this works.

1. "Why do I have to use wool? I really like acrylic better." CIC has asked for at least 60% (they actually prefer at least 75%, and I always use 100%) wool or other animal fiber just because it's significantly warmer. It's cold, indoors and outdoors, where these kids live. Imagine the heat set at 45 Fahrenheit (that's about 7 Celsisus) in the winter. If you're worried that wool might shrink: (1) if you consider the fact that some kids don't even have hot water for baths, it's clear that it won't be used for laundry; (2) given the price of energy and the poverty of the orphanages, no one's going to put anything in the dryer; (3) wool is still used quite commonly in Europe, so most people are more familiar with caring for it; and (4) if all else fails
and the socks do shrink, a smaller child will be able to wear them.  Also, if you send socks that don't meet this request, Karen has to do extra work finding a place that needs them (she never throws anything away, but she does redirect contributions that aren't quite right for CIC.)

2. "Elizabeth, can you tell me if my socks have been received?" Nope. Sorry - but the place you mail them to is 100 miles away from me, and, although I consider Karen Porter a friend, I have to confess that I still haven't met her face to face. (Isn't the Internet great?)

3. "How will I know my socks got there?" When you mail your package, either include a self-addressed stamped postcard for Karen to return to you, or purchase a delivery confirmation sticker (US post offices, 40 cents with Priority Mail and 50 cents with regular), which will allow you to find out if/when your package was delivered. If you live outside the US, email me and I'll send you a U.S. stamp for the correct amount and you can put it on your return postcard.

4. "Can my friends who aren't on the list participate?" Yes, please!! We call these socks-in-law, and they are most enthusiastically welcomed and credited toward the challenge goal. Spread the word to your friends and relatives, your knitting buddies, your yarn store.anyone! And report to me so I can add those to the tally.

5. "Do I have to use a certain pattern?" No, use whatever pattern you like, your favorite old faithful, or something you've never done before.

6. "Where should I send my socks when they're ready?" They go to Karen Porter, 2009 Conan Doyle Way, Eldersburg, MD 21784-6875.

7. "Should I wait and send my socks right at the deadline?" Socks are welcome any time, including the last minute, but it's a whole lot easier on Karen (and her mail carriers!!) if they come in gradually. Some people set a goal and send a box when they've reached it; others send a pair or two every month or so. I tend to mail a package as soon as I have completed 3 pairs; it gives me a sense that I'm moving ahead.  Whatever works for you works for CIC.

8. "What sizes are needed?" This year's challenge is focusing on the younger kids, aged about 1 to 6 years. So little socks are needed first.  There are bigger kids in the orphanages, too - up to age 16 - so if for whatever reason you prefer to send larger socks, they will get to someone who needs them.

9. "Everyone else is doing such great things that I feel that my socks just aren't good enough." OK - do they look like socks? Do they hold together? Are both the same size? Basic is every bit as warm as those made with magnificent advanced techniques. Marvel at those messages, and go ahead and make warm socks. I usually knit heavy, plain (although often bright), wool socks, figuring I can send more pairs that way. And - the great thing is that you don't have to aim to fit Aunt Betsy's foot exactly; as long as they're within the "normal" range, they'll fit someone and be used and loved. Oh - and those of you who are making those beautiful intimidating socks? Don't stop!

10.  "How can I find out how we're doing on the challenge?" Every Tuesday, I will post the grand total to date, and a list of who has sent what during the preceding week, on the Socknitters list. To get on that list, you must tell me (billeliz@cavtel.net) how many you sent. If you don't see yourself on the list, it means I didn't get the message, for one reason or another, so just tell me again. You can remain anonymous, if you prefer (but tell me that!!) or identify yourself as just Jane from Boise. Whatever works for you. It's fun and inspiring for people to see the total inch up. The cumulative total will be posted on the Socknitters web site (www.socknitters.com) and updated every Tuesday.

11. "Do I have to report how many I sent?" No, of course not. I've found, though, that when people see how many socks are being made for the kids, and watch the total creeping upward, sooner or later their fingers start itching to participate. If I just announced the challenge now, and then reported the total in October, we'd be lucky to get 100 pairs. But no, if you prefer to knit socks without any public acknowledgment, even as "Anonymous," we still welcome your participation.

12.  "This sounds like a great project, but I'm really not that interested. Do I have to participate?" No, of course not! CIC has become a tradition at Socknitters, but it's certainly not mandatory. You may, however,  find that the enthusiasm of others is contagious.

And this is the second post:

Subject: guidelines for posting on Socknitters re CIC challenge

Hello, everyone --

Last year, quite a few people became exasperated - and I certainly understand! - when reading post after post that said just "I sent two pairs of CIC socks today" or "I sent 4 pairs of CIC socks today." Please, reports such as those should come directly to me, at billeliz@cavtel.net, not to the list. I will publish a list every Tuesday of who sent what, and it will be titled "CIC weekly update" so those who want to skip it can do so. There are 5000 of us now, and manners are important in a group this big.

This is not to say that the challenge can't be discussed on the list, or that you can't ever mention your CIC socks. But your post should be some socknitting content - for instance, if you have a neat new system for making the socks, or a new pattern you've devised, or you've started a CIC project at your local yarn store, or library, or whatever - those are great things to post about.

If you're participating in the the programs to knit toys for the kids or shawls and scarves for the caregivers, those discussions aren't sock-related, and such posts would be appropriate for the CIC list, at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CIC-knit/

I know a lot of people are nervous about what's OK and what's not - if you want to ask me before you post, I'll get right back to you.

And I, and CIC, and the kids, and the caregivers ALL say thank you, we do appreciate you.

And the third post

Subject: background on CIC

Here is some background on CIC and the Socknitters challenges:

The first CIC Socknitters challenge started in March of 1999, early in Socknitters' first year, when there were about 500 subscribers to Socknitters. That challenge, initially for 100 pairs, grew to 500 pairs and exceeded that goal. In 2000, Kris Sudduth offered monthly themes for socks for, but no tally was kept, so we don't know how many we sent, but
thanks to Kris the ball kept rolling. In 2001, Karen Porter sent a moving letter to Socknitters reporting on CIC's December Goodwill trip to the orphanages, moving Socknitters to challenge ourselves to knit 1000 pairs by September 15. And we passed that goal too, with 1382 pairs..

Last year, with 3700 people on the list, we aimed for 2002 pair in 2002. And we made it! As of October 1, we had sent 2186 pairs.

It's a really good feeling to make a difference for these kids. They live at a level of destitution most of us really can't comprehend; these socks are a message that someone remembers and cares (not to mention that they keep feet warm). Use 100% (or at least close to that) wool or other animal fiber if at all possible, because it is very cold and damp there.

Children in Common is an information and relief group administered by Adoptions Together, Inc., an accredited adoption agency that facilitates adoptions domestically and from countries of the former Soviet Union. It was started by a group of adoptive parents who were horrified at the conditions they found in the orphanages when they went to get their kids and were moved to try to do something to help. CIC's mission is to provide material support for the children left behind in orphanage care. They organizes goodwill trips that deliver tons of supplies, and throughout the year every parent who goes over to pick up a newly
adopted  kid takes a suitcase or two of clothes, school supplies, medicines, etc. Nothing is shipped, so it doesn't get "lost" in the mail.

Conditions are desperately poor - many orphanages don't even have hot water for baths, indoor temperatures during the winter may hover around 45 Fahrenheit (that's 7 Celsius), some workers go for months without being paid, some of the kids are there because, although they do have living parents, those parents literally cannot afford to feed them...Each pair of socks helps. CIC requests a minimum of 75% wool or other animal fiber (alpaca, mohair, etc), because warmth truly is an issue. I always use heavy worsted such as Maine wool, Peace Fleece, etc, (they run around 200-220 yds/4 oz) knit tightly at a gauge of about 5 stitches per inch. Those yarns are warm and tough, and other wools are also fine.

And, the next (the challenge):

Subject: Announcing the Fifth Annual Socknitters CIC Challenge!

Hello, everyone:

Because today is Valentine's Day, a day traditionally devoted to love, and because this week has been very frightening here in the U.S. and all around the world, it seems a good day to kick off the 5th Annual CIC Sock Challenge. This challenge gives us a way to reach out to someone who needs us. A pair of socks is a small thing, but it sends a big message to the kid whose feet were cold and now are warm, and it gives each of us an opportunity to feel a little less helpless in the face of horrifying world events. Right now, we all want to stay home with our families and put our heads under the covers; I urge you, instead, to reach out to someone who needs you. And these kids do.

As I did last year, I'm committing right now to sending at least 10 pairs of socks to CIC this year, and I encourage everyone to join me.  You don't have to make 10 pairs -- just think - if each member of Socknitters made one pair, that would be almost 5000 pairs of socks! I'm challenging list members, and your friends and relatives, to send 2000
pairs to CIC by October 15 of this year.

You can mail donations directly to Karen Porter at 2009 Conan Doyle Way, Eldersburg, MD 21784-6875.

For background and FAQs on the CIC challenge, see my subsequent messages.

For more information about Children in Common, check http://www.childrenincommon.org <http://www.childrenincommon.org/> .

There are two other ongoing CIC knitting projects as well - toys for the kids, and scarves and shawls for the caregivers. For information on those, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CIC-knit/ and search the archives.

Ready, set, go!

Elizabeth in PA

Subject: Re: CIC Question (Feb 20th, socknitters)

Karen,

I also belong to CIC-Knit @yahoogroups and asked about the washclothes. They 
say that dishclots in 100% cotton are fine no requirements about the size.  
They also said that washclothes and shawls for the care givers are greatly 
appreciated.  They are also accepting toys about beanie baby size.  Just send 
these items to the same place as with the socks

Happy knitting
Deanne in IN