I doth my Hat

4 crocheted (I think the two goldish colored hats are suede?) hats from Chizoba in Baltimore. Welcome to our group and many thanks for the helping hands. You may not know Stella (as a newbie to the group), but she's not camera shy; in fact she can be a bit of a camera hog. Oh Stella, how she loves to try on hats and scarves.

Again many thanks for your thoughtful donation, it is so truly appreciated. I will get the hat back from Stella (when's she's asleep), and it will go to those in need.
Hats 347 + 4 = 351
Mittens 54 pairs
Scarves 132
Socks 79 pairs

**next up hats and mitts by Bunny
***blog post #97

Pick a Color! Something to be Thankful for

Pick a color, if you can. So many to choose from. Karen and Frank have done it again!!



Look at this mound of wonderful goodness. Hats from Frank in every color one can imagine. Forty (40) of them to be exact. Frank you are awesome! Frank knits his many hats on a round loom. Karen has added 10 neck gators/warmers that are also knitted on a loom, as well as 2 crocheted scarves. All are fabulous and so nicely done. Many many thanks to you both.

Hats 307 + 40 = 347
Mittens 54 pairs
Scarves 130 + 2 = 132
Socks 79 pairs

What am I Thankful for this Thanksgiving? For 1, wonderful people like you all who make it possible for us to help those who have less than we do. I also posted something else to be Thankful for on my Travel Blog.

Socks and Scarf AND Blog Anniversary!

Finished another scarf. This is tweedy, and crocheted. It's smaller than I like for the men and women under the bridge, so will put this in the bag for one of the two free clinics. The yarn is a skein from Rae's Mother's stash. If you missed reading about it, click here. Also please notice the ongoing counter in the sidebar; where I'll be keeping track of the donations made possible through Rae donating her Mother's yarn to me.

The socks, hubby decided it was time to buy socks so these 11 pairs now in the bag for the men under the Bridge.

Still trying hard to spread the news of our group and it's cause. All help in that regard is appreciated.

Hats 307
Mittens 54 pairs
Scarves 129 + 1 = 130
Socks 68 pairs + 11 = 79 pairs

***Exactly 1 year ago this blog was formed, Nov-9-2009, this is the 95th blog post.***

Thank you Bunny, Hats

Always fun to see what Bunny comes up with next. Look at all these hats. The soft muted colored hat is knitted, all the others are crocheted. Stella is wearing one that I believe is made with double strands? I separated these hats based on size, adding the larger ones to the bag for the bridge, and the smaller ones to the bag for the clinics. As always Bunny's work is awesome.

Hugs for the help, Bunny.

Hats 300 + 7 = 307
Mittens 53 pairs + 1 = 54 pairs
Scarves 126 + 3 = 129
Socks 68 pairs

Reaching out for more helping hands

While not a well balanced meal, it is calories. Calories is what gives us energy, calories are needed to help warm our bodies. So, rather than eat calories I don't need; I packaged this candy into the last donation right along with our hats, scarves and mittens, and personal care items for our folks under the bridge. Rae said it would be a nice treat.

Several weeks ago while doing on line searches I came across a couple of webpages/blogs with listings of charities. I sent emails with our link hoping to spread the word about our cause and obtain some more helping hands. You really can't have too many, the needs are so great. I did hear back from one and am thrilled to report we are listed! Check it out, and thanks Lisa (webmaster) for the listing. If you're aware of other such directory type listings, please let me know.

In the meantime, keep those hooks and needles flying, all is appreciated. Thanks!

**Check back often for updates, and pictures of each other's handy work. Next up, hats from Bunny

Hats, and Hats--Thanks Doris

Neat pattern, Doris! These 9 crocheted hats are nice and thick and stretchy. I need to ask; but think she's crocheted these with back stitch only dc lengthwise? Then stitched them together. See the nice ribbing? Stella's modeling one...you all remember what a ham she is about getting her picture taken. lol

Doris wanted to help more, but her arthritis flared so she sent along some (11) hats she purchased as well.


In both cases I was able to divide them by the various sizes for the clinics and the Bridge. Delivered a good size for each yesterday.

Thanks again all, keep up the fabulous work. Hubby was complaining about the scraping the frost off the car windows the last couple of mornings, so you know how cold it's getting.

Donations Total since December 02-08 when the blog was started:

Hats 280 + 20 = 300
Mittens 53 pairs + 1 = 54 pairs
Scarves 126 + 3 = 129
Socks 68 pairs

**excitement about spreading the news, stayed tuned

Thanks to a fellow Ohioan, Patty

Fun blue and white, and white and blue. I always find it interesting how different mixing up the combination of color's can be. Three blue and white scarves, but all are different. Thanks to Patty (craftyymom from RAV), a fellow Ohioan who crocheted these cute scarves. I've added these 3 scarves to the bag going to the clinic. Perfect size I think for a young teen. Bet some of you know these colors. All of us who knitted and crocheted for The Special Olympics last year, who searched high and low for the special colors, dealt blue....these should look familiar. I love the blue, so pretty and bright.

Thanks bunches Patty.

Donations Total since December 02-08 when the blog was started:
Hats 278 + 2 = 280
Mittens 53 pairs + 1 = 54 pairs
Scarves 126 + 3 = 129

**next up hats from Doris, please check back

Help from Rae's Mother

Rae, as you know is our delivery lady. She's the one who hand carries our knitted and crocheted hats, mittens, and scarves to the cold in need there under the bridge; as well as to those in need at the two free clinics. Rae is the lady who prepares hot meals along with several others, making deliveries on Sat. mornings. She volunteers at the two free clinics where our heartfelt donations are also greatly appreciated. This mound of yarn belonged to Rae's mother. Rae lost her mother a short while ago; as many of you may remember (post regarding it here). So, while she is no longer here in the flesh she is reaching out to help others. I will use all the yarn Rae has passed along to me for charity. Something I think her mother would have liked. Not all the colors and types of yarn are appropriate for this cause-The Bridge-but it will all be used for charities in her memory.

In fact, if you look 2 skeins to the right of the yellow yarn, you'll see a partial skein of white which has already been used. It was needed to make 12 inch red, white, and blue granny squares for a Patriotic Cause. You can see the picture and read about it on my other blog...HERE

**I'm still without photo editing software with a non compatible situation. I have a free upgrade from Vista to Windows 7 ordered; though I understand it could take up to 6 weeks. Geessssss, don't really even know if that's going to solve my problem. Thus, my pictures aren't as clear--can't size them down appropiately pixel size. I believe that's why so many of late have been blurry?

**pending pictures of scarves from Patty, do check back

Hats from Sandie

Love these manly colors, rust, black, and gray. I've not seen this varigated mix at the stores and wonder what it's called. Might need to look for some. These fabulous hat's are crocheted by Sandie. Her on going support of this worthy cause is so greatly appreciated. It's appreciated by me, by Rae and by those that she warms with stitches.

Many thanks, Sandie. As always such nice work.
Donations Total since December 02-08 when the blog was started:
Hats 278 + 2 = 280
Mittens 53 pairs + 1 = 54 pairs
Scarves 125 + 1 = 126

Thank you James

A pair of Mittens, a scarf, 6 hats, and 3 pair of nice heavy socks! Yippee. James knits and all these are nice and large. Sometimes when it's cold these folks under the bridge double up on hats and I think with the size and stretch James hats will be dandy for that.

Special thanks too James for sending along the socks. Something that's always needed.

Donations Total since December 02-08 when the blog was started:
Hats 272 + 6 = 278
Mittens 53 pairs + 1 = 54 pairs
Scarves 125 + 1 = 126
Socks 68 pairs

**next up hats from Sandie

I got another scarf done for our folks under the bridge. This royal blue double crocheted scarf is made from Caron Pounder using an I size hook. It's 70 inches long and 8 inches wide. Should be able to wrap it around to ward off the cold.

Donations Total since December 02-08 when the blog was started:
Hats 271+1= 272
Mittens 47 pairs + 8 =53 pairs
Scarves 124 + 1 =125

Feels good to complete a project

I finally got a project finished! Yippee. Both hat and scarf are knitted with JoAnne's soft sensations. Love the yarn; but thought it was perhaps too light weight to hold up well outdoors after I got it finished. I'll direct this to the bag for the free clinic rather than the folks under the bridge. The royal blue scarf I'm crocheting will be heavier and more suited I think to the outside elements for the duration.

Our numbers continue to climb, but remember the numbers reflect those we made and donated last year. Sooooooo, please keep those hands busy. So much is needed.

Thanks

Donations Total since December 02-08 when the blog was started:
Hats 271+1= 272
Mittens 47 pairs + 8 =53 pairs
Scarves 123+1= 124

This is post #90

Personal Care Items make a Good Donation

For about $4.50 per person, I was able to pick up those small travel sizes at my local Target. I got 5 deodorants (neutral male female), 5 bottles of scope, 5 chapsticks (you know how dry your lips get and crack when you're out in the cold), a bag of disposable razors (neutral color for male and female, which was enough to put 2 each in each personal care bag), and a nice packaged tube of toothpaste, toothbrush and toothbrush protector. To this I added a handful of band-aids (from a large container I keep at home), a comb, shampoo-soap-lotion-conditioner (that I've saved from hotels when we travel). In most cases I was able to put a couple of the hotel goodies in the bag.

I've made these 5 personal care bags generic, suitable for male or female; as Rae tells me she is now seeing more women with the increase in the numbers of folks living under the bridge. I believe this will make them feel better, and perhaps also keep them a bit healthier. I know how good I feel after brushing my teeth and taking a shower. They may not be able to get a hot shower; but if they're able to spruce up a bit I'm sure they'll feel better.