Happy New Year, LOOK What we've Accomplished!

Happy New Year One and All. Many thanks for your support throughout this year. Thank you if you blogged about our cause, Thank you if placed a badge and link on your blog, Thank you if you knitted and donated, Thank you if you crocheted and donated, Thank you if you loomed and donated, Thank you if you sent socks and personal care items, Thank you if you told a friend, a neighbor, a co-worker about our cause, Thank you if you printed one of flyers to distribute to help spread the word. THANK YOU!!

I blogged about how we began and what was accomplished in our first month-actually less of operation HERE. I posted a blog about the growth that happened in the year 2009 HERE.

And now I want to list all those helping hands in this calendar year of 2010:(because this is not something I could accomplish by myself)* in no particular order

RoseMarie, Louise, Liz (minnisoda), my Darling Daughter Christine, Sandie in Florida, Jessica, Mary in Ohio, Yarn Yokel (Jason), Dorothy in Wisc, Judy in Ohio, Jean in Ohio, Sandie in Louisiana, Ruth, Lisa, Scharlet, Krystine, James, Sacha from France, Nelda, Bunny, Linda in Florida, Frank, Becki, Sarah, Susan, Tracy, Robbie, Patty in Ohio, Margaret, Karen V, Karen A, Cindy, Taby, Pat, Peggy, Tracey (Tcara), Lex (Alexis), Gail, a 2nd Patty, Joy, Yvonne, Donna, Joyce, Cyndy, Sandra, Anne G, Kate, Alma, Emily, Chris, Shelly, Christi, Jodi, Paula, Brodie Jo, Jennifer T., Esther maddeleine4), Trudy, Jenny, Barbara N, Becky, Bonnie, Mia, Becky P, Theresa, June M, Jan, and Rae.

Sometimes with people use one name or ID on a forum or in a group, a different one if they blog, and perhaps a different yet for their email I have troubles figuring out who's who when the mail comes and has a real name. Sometimes it's taken some time to determine who's who. To date, there is still one person I was never able to identify to thank and that would be Brodie Jo. I posted here multiple times and in other groups and forums I belong to; but never did make a connection. Brodie Jo, if you're out there please know your donation was very much appreciated. If anyone knows Brodie Jo, please zap me a note, thanks.

We really grew by leaps and bounds this year with more and more helping hands, with being able to help more people I was able to add to the mission several times. How awesome is that. We're listed on many additional lists these days. I put forth a real concerted effort at spreading the news several months ago and it has really paid off with more donations coming in daily.

Here are our final numbers of donated items for the calendar year of 2010

Scarves 340
Hats 592
Mittens 151
Socks 101
Slippers 34
Ghans 10
Squares 238

We grew in number of blog posts having 185 in 2010. We had our first contest, a blog contest that our good friend Sandie in Louisiana won. We had a mitten challenge which included another mitten pattern from our good friend and long time supporter Beth which Dorothy and Jean won. We added slippers to the list of items we need, and squares through Give a Square. I'm very happy with what we've been able to accomplish, one stitch, one donation at a time. We do make a difference, an important difference every single day in someone's life. THANK YOU.

I look forward to what we can accomplish together in the upcoming year of 2011.

Please remember all donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. It truly DOES make a difference. THANK YOU!

Fun Girly Ruffle Scarf Set

This was fun to make folks. The pink hat was a start from the garage sell stuff donated by Krystine. It wasn't quite finished, in that it wasn't long enough to cover a head or tight enough to stay on, a whole at the top where it was joined would let lots of cold air in; so I added a good size edge and brim (you see it rolled up here), a fun and funky curly cork screw topper to take care of the hole. And since I had pink yarn that matched made a fun funky curly girly scarf to match. Both are crocheted. The scarf is made from JoAnne's sensations (pink, and gray and white) Mohair which I love, sooooooo soft and nice to work with. The cute camo-ish black, gray, pink and white is I think Italian made Moda Dea. The label is long since gone; but that's what I think I remember.

I think one of the little girls at the free clinic will enjoy this.

2010
Scarves 339+1=340
Hats 592
Mittens 151
Socks 101
Slippers 34
Ghans 10
Squares 238


Please remember all donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. It truly DOES make a difference. THANK YOU!

Designing Warmth for the Homeless

Pinks, Purples, Turquoise, Goldish Yellow....25 of the 70 squares donated by Anne, Carol, Pat, and Kris will come together to make a bright and very cheery and girly Afghan. Not sure what color I'll join this with, must check my stash and see what jumps out at me. Naturally it could be done in white, ivory, black, but ....I happen to know I have some of the same variegated.....off the top of my head, I doubt I have enough to only use it; so will put on my thinking cap and see what I come up with when the time comes. Got one in the works as we speak, and a 2nd one designed ahead of this one in que. Love thinking ahead though.

Sure have enjoyed the fun and different squares that have come as a result of our Give a Square program. Those with ones I had on hands will give us the ability to make a good number of ghans for those folks at Faith Mission.

2010
Scarves 339
Hats 592
Mittens 151
Socks 101
Slippers 34
Ghans 10
Squares 238


Please remember all donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. It truly DOES make a difference. THANK YOU!

Squares, Squares, Can You Count Them?

Connections are made in so many ways. This is certainly the case with this group of 70 crocheted squares. A group of ladies involved in about 10 community, charity type projects through work got together and made these squares. These ladies: Anne, Carol, Pat, and Kris have worked together on bake sales, walk-a-thons and many interesting and worthwhile projects throughout the course of the year. They found a program on line to make squares to be joined into afghans for those in need. Through time it was found that program involved costly shipping fees, as the squares were to be sent all the way to Africa. Looking for a project closer to home they began searching once again on line and through several aborted efforts found The Slipper Project on The Lion Brand site. Once they contacted Joyce at The Slipper Project, she suggested our Bridge and Beyond. Joyce and I have connected through The Hive and our quest for charity knitting and crocheting. So, many thanks to Anne, Carol, Pat, and Kris for these lovely fun and cheery colored crocheted squares, and Joyce for her referral to us, and to The Hive for connecting Joyce and I.

I'm hopeful we'll continue to see Anne, Carol, Pat, and Kris among our helping hands.

Many thanks for the thoughtful donation, sure glad you found us.

2010
Scarves 339
Hats 592
Mittens 151
Socks 101
Slippers 34
Ghans 10
Squares 168+70=238


Please remember all donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. It truly DOES make a difference. THANK YOU!

Crocheted Afghans for Faith Mission

Lovely tangerine crocheted afghan from Mary in Ohio. I love the design. Mary, what pattern did you use? This afghan is suitable both in color and size for a female adult lapghan and or a sweet little girl. It is quite pretty and will keep either warm and cozy.
This second yellow crocheted afghan is also suitable both in size, color, and style for a little girl or a female adult for a blanket or a lapghan. Many thanks Mary in Ohio for your thoughtful donation. Those mothers and children at Faith Mission that we're working to warm will love these. Again...asking what pattern did you use, this is lovely.

2010
Scarves 339
Hats 592
Mittens 151
Socks 101
Slippers 34
Ghans 8+2=10
Squares 168

Please remember all donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. It truly DOES make a difference. THANK YOU!

Designing Afghans for the Homeless

Emptied out all my bags of squares, many of which I've had for some time, leftovers from several groups that sent odds and ends when they disbanded so many of these squares I don't know who made them. Some are more recent from RoseMarie (the rectangles that are green), some of the pink ones are from Karen V. I've got this bagged and ready to start on when I complete the knitted color blocks from Rose Marie HERE. At this point I'm thinking of joining this with white, though I typically don't use white for the dirt factor. Maybe I'll go pink. Have to check my stash when ready and go from there.

Also, since I designed and photographed this I've received some more squares that might fit into these design as I get going; but one must start somewhere. As you can see this will be another of real peace meal work with the huge number of sizes of pieces to be put together.

2010
Scarves 339
Hats 592
Mittens 151
Socks 101
Slippers 34
Ghans 8
Squares 168


Please remember all donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. It truly DOES make a difference. THANK YOU!

Socks and Scarves warming Homeless and those in Need in Ohio

YIPPEE, more socks to warm those cold feet. Many thanks Rebecca (Becki) for your two beautiful crocheted scarves and 10 pr of socks. Socks are needed all year long, not just in the cold winter months. Wet feet are a problem even in summer, thus we are always in need of more socks. The scarves are made with a nice single crochet, warm.

This post, as all posts are was written when items were received in the mail and therefor scheduled in que to be published. Sooooo, by the time you read this post, these items have already been delivered and are in use.

Please keep those hands busy folks, it's cold and the need is great.

2010
Scarves 337+2=339
Hats 592
Mittens 151
Socks 91+10=101
Slippers 34
Ghans 8
Squares 168

I hope you all are having a blessed Christmas with Friends and Family, if that's your chosen holiday; and if it's another I wish you all the very best and peace in our time.

Please remember all donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. It truly DOES make a difference. THANK YOU!

Knitting and Crocheting for the Homeless

Soooooooo many colors, and so many sizes of crocheted slippers. All 17 pairs of these donated by Ellee, our newest pair of helping hands here on Bridge and Beyond. Notice the yellow in the upper right corner are a pair of MaryJanes, the others are regular bootie style. These will be so well received by the children and their mothers houses temporarily at Faith Mission.
I believe some of these scarves (9), may be woven? I think the bulk though are crocheted. Notice the matching set on the right, hat and scarf in a light blue...are they cute. Many thanks Ellee for your thoughtful donation. It's always wonderful to find new people to help us warm the cold homeless and those in need. We hope to see you often. Keep those hands, hooks and yarn busy.

2010
Scarves 328+9=337
Hats 591+1=592
Mittens 151
Socks 91
Slippers 17+17=34
Ghans 8
Squares 168

6 More Days til the end of December and our Give a Square Program

Please remember all donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. It truly DOES make a difference. THANK YOU!

Reflection

The year is fast approaching an end. A while back I posted information regarding how we began, who donated, and what we collected in a very short period of time. It was fun to look back. You can read about HERE.

Taking that a bit further, the calendar year 2009 was wonderful. We grew in members who donated, we grew in the number of people we were able to help. We grew in the number of places we were linked, listed, and known.....all translate into being more visible on the net. Being more visible on the net and word of mouth causes others to find us and join the cause. I'm very grateful for that.

In 2009, we collected 335 hats, 66 pairs of mittens, 70 pairs of socks, and 123 scarves. Isn't that wonderful. Think of the warm, the encouragement and the hope all those donations represented.

Many thanks to all who donated that year: (in no particular order)
Chris D
My daughter, Christine
Rae (by way of yarn from her mother)
Jean from Wisc.
Doris
Bunny
Sandie
Teacher Chizoba
Patty from Ohio
Frank and Karen A.
James
Danette
Linda from Florida
Theresa
Karen V.
Shelly
Beth
Jenny (Wren on Rav)
eboni (mzundercover on Rav)
June
Barbara
Dyanne
Bill (from Scotland)
Chris
Scarlet
Sunnie Fairy (Andrea)
Joanne
Sarah in Hawaii
Margie
Molly
Kristin
Susan
Katie
Ghost
Gloria
Maru
Cheryl

I'm impressed with that list, and think everyone of you deserve a pat on the back. Again, many thanks for your thoughtful donations. Together we've accomplished some wonderful things here. That year we had a total of 87 posts and 306 comments. Numbers are fun sometimes, aren't they!

2010
Scarves 328
Hats 591
Mittens 151
Socks 91
Slippers 17
Ghans 8
Squares 168


**Give A Square runs til the end of December**

Please remember all donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. It truly DOES make a difference. THANK YOU!

Homeless Hands Warmer with Mittens

Four wonderful, crocheted mittens to warm 4 pairs of hands for our homeless. These nice warm mittens will make 4 less cold pairs of hands. Thank you Therese. I know how my hands sometimes ache even in doors when their cold, can't imagine living outside in the elements without warm mittens like this. What a difference this makes for our cold Ohio Homeless. I love the nice long cuff too. These are made with back loop single crochet stitches.

This is a busy time of year for so many of us, making your thoughtful donations even more special. Making time to knit and crochet for others when you're swamp with way too many things to do takes a very special person with a Huge Heart! Thank you all for your continued hard work and dedication to giving to others.

Give a Square Runs til the end of this month, 9 days away

2010
Scarves 328
Hats 591
Mittens 147+4=151
Socks 91
Slippers 17
Ghans 8
Squares 168


Please remember all donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. It truly DOES make a difference. THANK YOU!

So many ways to help the homeless

Thank you Yvonne for your ongoing support of the homeless. What a wonderful box of goodies here. Scarves, hats, slippers, socks, gloves, and squares. Also some wonderful personal care items-toothbrushes and toothpaste. Some items are knitted, some are crocheted. I love the mix of sizing for the hats.... So many different sized cold heads will now be warmed. Click on the picture to enlarge...check out the really neat pattern on her beautiful gray scarf!

Look at these fun, bright, cheery and interesting knitted squares. I'm anxious to put them with others and design another afghan for those folks at The Mission.

2010
Scarves 325+3=328
Hats 583+8=591
Mittens 143+4=147
Socks 85+6=91
Slippers 16+1=17
Ghans 8
Squares 159+9=168

**Give a Square til the end of this month, December 2010**

Please remember all donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. It truly DOES make a difference. THANK YOU!

Edging and warming Homeless

I've revised a wee bit the color arrangement here, added a couple more yellow blocks which I think really adds to the over all look of this knitted block ghan in the works. Rose Marie sent some more knitted squares so I happily added them to this design. AND, have started edging with a light sage green (thank you darling daughter for the yarn),. These squares when assembled will be another afghan for the homeless and abused housed at Faith Mission.

We continue to collect squares throughout the month of December (please see Give a Square for details), for this cause. Please check in often to see how many squares we collect, how many ghans we're able to donate to help them towards a better life.

2010
Scarves 325
Hats 583
Mittens 143
Socks 85
Slippers 16
Ghans 8
Squares 159


Please remember all donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. It truly DOES make a difference. THANK YOU!

Crocheting to help others!

8 Fabulous crocheted scarves from our newest pair of helping hands, Rebecca. Many thanks Rebecca, the scarves are wonderful, warm, soft and great colors. We're thrilled to have you join us in helping those less fortunate, those cold, those without a roof over their heads. The need is great, and it's not possible to have too many pairs of helping hands. We hope to see you often here on The Bridge.

Rebecca posted a lovely quote in the card that accompanied her donation, I'm reposting here.
"Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear, and the blind can see". A meaningful quote. I'm surprised I've not come across this quote of Mark Twain's before, but it's one I like and will certainly remember.

I've added Rebecca's blog to the blog log, so please take a minute to visit her and say hi.

2010
Scarves 317+8=325
Hats 583
Mittens 143
Socks 85
Slippers 16
Ghans 8
Squares 159

**Remember Give a Square runs til the end of this month of December**

Please remember all donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. It truly DOES make a difference. THANK YOU!

Matching Hats and Scarves for Homeless Ohioans

Fabulous matching hats and scarves, 8 sets to warm some of our cold homeless. All the hats are knitted, warm, and stretchy to fit many different heads. The beautiful matching scarves are crocheted, I think perhaps Phyllis used hdc for her scarves. It's always interesting to me how different stitches look when a scarf is made lengthwise vs width wise. Phyllis our latest pair of helping hands from the warm state of Florida. Many thanks Phyllis, we're thrilled to have you join us and hope to see lots of you here on Bridge and Beyond.

2010
Scarves 309+8=317
Hats 575+8=583
Mittens 143
Socks 85
Slippers 16
Ghans 8
Squares 159

Please remember all donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. It truly DOES make a difference. THANK YOU!

Ta Dah...Autumn is Finished

TADAH! Got another afghan done for our folks at Faith Mission. This was both fun and tedious to assemble. Fun because it required lots of creative...hum, wonder what this looks like there, and does this fit better here or there. Lots of that. Should have seen me crawling around on the floor flipping squares and rectangles here and there. lol Tedious because there were so many sizes to work with it was truly piecemeal. Looks a little bunchy here, this is before it was laundered and blocked. That always smooth things out (provided you don't have too much bunching). I'm happy with the results, it's big, heavy and very warm. Most of the squares are crocheted, but the two largest squares that DD donated were knitted. The dark sage green edging and joining the pieces was also from DD, a gift from last Christmas. I think from memory the lacy yellow square might be from Sandie, RoseMarie the rectangles, Liz made the multi-colored squares, and there's a few of mine thrown in where I needed a filler.

Thank you ladies for helping me help warm the homeless. You ALL ROCK!

2010
Scarves 309
Hats 575
Mittens 143
Socks 85
Slippers 16
Ghans 7+1=8
Squares 159


Please remember all donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. It truly DOES make a difference. THANK YOU!

People with BIG Hearts

Don't be dishearten by watching so much news you think people are bad, evil, and nasty. I'm here to tell you people have big hearts. Knitters have big hearts, crocheters have big hearts, people who knit with looms have big hearts. Crafters are awesome people with kind and giving hearts. The proof is here each and everyday when we see wonderful things people with big hearts have taken their time to make. They buy the yarn, the take time to craft something special, they use their money to mail it to me. People who do this...WOW. You ALL ROCK!

This wonderful donation comes to us from Sarah S. Thank you Sarah for your ongoing support and thoughtful donation. Sarah sent 3 crocheted scarves, 5 wonderful wool warm pairs of socks, 6 crocheted granny squares, and 4 packages of personal care items (soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss AND her wash clothes are hand crocheted as well!) You know everything is greatly appreciated. Stay tuned as I design another ghan, adding your squares to others I have on hand/ and or will yet receive from Give A Square.

2010
Scarves 306+3=309
Hats 575
Mittens 143
Socks 80+5=85
Slippers 16
Ghans 7
Squares 153+6=159

**remember we're accepting squares until the end of this month, December**

Please remember all donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. It truly DOES make a difference. THANK YOU!

I LOVE Squares

I love Squares, why? Because it's cool to be a square, it's cool to be a nerd. Why because nerd help people, nerds think of others, therefore nerds/squares are AWESOME in my book. Thank you Niki for these 3 crocheted squares. I've added them to my square stash grown bigger thanks to our Give a Square program (running til the end of December). Your squares tossed in other helping hands squares make a HUGE difference in someone's life. Thank you for your thoughtful donation. Hope to see you here on The Bridge often.

Please stay tuned folks as squares come in and ghans are designed. I'll keep you posted how we're doing.

2010
Scarves 306
Hats 575
Mittens 143
Socks 80
Slippers 16
Ghans 7
Squares 150+3=153

Please remember all donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. It truly DOES make a difference. THANK YOU!

Autumn Taking Shape

Been working on this ghan with squares donated by Sandie, RoseMarie, Alexis, my DD (Christine), Liz, and yours truly. Some squares are knitted, some are crocheted. Some squares are square, some squares are rectangles. Many hands involved in this ghan. Some of the squares were donated as a result of Give a Square, while others I've had from previous donations. Sometimes things just come together. 24 squares in all here. The dark green yarn I'm edging and joining with was gift from my DD last Christmas. She always knows how to give a gift that keeps on giving.

You might get a better view of this ghan here when it was first designed, without the missing squares that were being edge or assembled together; though there have been one or two changes in the squares since that time.

2010
Scarves 306
Hats 575
Mittens 143
Socks 80
Slippers 16
Ghans 7
Squares 150



Please remember all donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. It truly DOES make a difference. THANK YOU!

A Garage Sale Donation

This display of fun colorful crocheted items (mostly dollies), came through Krystine by way of a garage sale. A little senior's son was having a garage sale while his Mom was hospitalized. Sadly, since then she's lost that battle against cancer. Krystine asked if I might be able to do some good with these items, that the son indicated his Mother would really like that. The navy slippers in foreground just need to be trimmed and all the loose yarn ends taken care of, the super small brown and orange squares are being put to use...as we speak to make a scarf, the red-white-green dollies came in handy yarnwise. I frogged them and used them to finish up a pair of mittens that was the same yarn. Can you believe it? What's the likelihood I'd be able to that. The dollies are going to take some more thinking on part, and work; but I'm giving it some though and will chip away at making something useable for someone in need. There are 3 nice size squares also, have been put in the hopper with the other Give a Square Squares and will most assuredly get used to make a ghan.
A different picture with things sorted and stacked. Thank you Krystine et al.

2010
Scarves 306
Hats 574+1=575
Mittens 143
Socks 80
Slippers 15+1=16
Ghans 7
Squares 133+17=150

Please keep those fingers busy making hats, mittens, scarves, slippers, and squares. The need continues and the dip in temperatures in very noticeable. There's snow on the ground as we speak. And most nights the temps drop well below freezing. All donations are truly appreciated. About 2 more weeks folks for Give a Square.

Please remember all donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. It truly DOES make a difference. THANK YOU!

So Many Opportunities

Several weeks ago I attended a Sausage Party. This is an annual event that takes place in my neighborhood, just down the street. The gentlemen who's been hosting this event has done so for 18 years. His purpose is to make sausage, to continue a tradition from a Hungarian Gentlemen who taught him the craft. His purpose was to make sure his kids knew, and now his grandchildren know that preparing food is hard work, and fun, takes skill and dedication and to appreciate what people before us did. Remember, buying food packaged from the grocery store is all most younger than us know about.

However, he has yet another purpose. He gathers friends, neighbors, relatives, and co-workers for this ever growing event. Typically there are several hundred in attendance. Men cut and begin prepping the meat on Thursday. Friday people begin making their way in from out of town. And soon it's a party with a purpose. Several tables of meat cutting continue in the garage where the meat grinder is set up. Jack, our host always dumps in the secret ingredients. The sausage is packed in the kitchen with several stuffers going hour after hour. Everyone gets in the act, from the wee little ones, to the grandparents. Food and drink abound and a ceramic pig for donations is available in the kitchen, and the garage. All the monies donated go to Holy Family, a local church/soup kitchen that feeds on average 700 homeless a day. Holy Family has been in existence since 1970. In addition to the hot meals prepared daily for the homeless a food bank helps families in need.

People can collect a sampling of each of the 6 or 7 types of sausages made in any given year from Italian to Hungarian, to Andouille, Chorizo, and others (after it's been smoked in the smoke house in Jack's backyard). In addition to the monies collected (this year a bit over $400.00), sausage is also donated to Holy Family.

So here I am at the party, chatting with people I've met in other years, and meeting new folks; when I asked whether clothing was provided, or needed to those that are fed at Holy Family. I was speaking to a lady who volunteers in the soup kitchen several times a week. She was thrilled that someone asked, and talked about how cold some of these folks were. I had 50 hats bagged. Told her I had 50 hats geared towards school age and teenage kids. She was beyond thrilled. So, folks we reached out again....the beyond part of our mission. Now as Holy Family feeds those that come in off the street, and or from the various homeless shelters; they'll be able to give cold children and teens a hat to help warm them up.  The lady I met is Lynn.

Thank you all for providing enough caring with your donations, that we're able to continue to help so many in need. It was a good night, and I was happy we were able to respond to the opportunity to help.

I should also add how good our neighborhood smells while all this sausage is being smoked. That process takes about a week or two.

2010
Scarves 306
Hats 574
Mittens 143
Socks 80
Slippers 15
Ghans 7
Squares 133

Please remember all donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. It truly DOES make a difference. THANK YOU!

Memories of Bridge and Beyond and all YOU'VE Accomplished

As we approach the end of this year, 2010; I thought it might be fun and appropriate to see where we've been. On Dec 2, 2008 I made my first post here after putting together the blog. I envisioned a team style blog, but ran into issues with compatibility and found trying to work with it cumbersome. So very quickly changed to a regular blog, where I post but anyone can comment...member or non member, blogger or non blogger. That proved to be a good change, as we've had much help from fellow knitters and crocheters who don't happen to be fellow bloggers. Some we know from Crochetville, some from Ravelry, and some find us and make contact via email.

By December 5, 2008 one of our blog readers Sunny Fairy designed our cool blog badge. Though we no longer hear from her via blogging, we still use the cool badge she designed. Thank you very much Sunny Fairy, it is still appreciated.

In less than a week, 6 days to be exact I received the first of many emails to come asking for an address to mail donations, and clarifying how they might help the cause. I can still remember how excited I was to get those emails on Dec 8, having only started the blog on the 2nd. WOW

By December 9th, we had our first donation. Hats off to our Very Dear and long time friend, Bunny. Bunny still supports us with her talent. Many thanks! Her name is clickable if you'd like to pop over and say hi on her blog.

A few days later, I finished my first scarf for the cause.

By Dec, 31, 2008...less than one month from start up we had collected 24 scarves and 33 hats! In that time frame I had written 19 posts, and we had 100 comments.

During the first month Dec 2nd through Dec 31, 2008 The following people knitted, or crocheted and sent donations:
Bunny, Dorothy in Wisc, Frosty from Rav, Dorothy in San Antonio, Judy from Ohio, Molly, Sandie from Louisiana, and Melanie (Lil_Knitter from Rav).
I'd like to take another opportunity to say THANK YOU. It is because of you, I felt encouraged to continue to knit and crochet and blog often about our cause. It is because of you I felt encouraged to continue the fight to help homeless and those in need.

My deepest appreciation for each and every stitch you've made.
2010
Scarves 306
Hats 574
Mittens 143
Socks 80
Slippers 15
Ghans 7
Squares 133


Please remember all donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. It truly DOES make a difference. THANK YOU!

Another Afghan for Faith Mission

In need of being laundered, then a bit of blocking and away we go with another completed afghan for the folks at Faith Mission. You've probably seen this in various stages as a work in progress. I would have preferred to have all the edges, stripes in navy; but not having enough of it, went to plan B which was to add burgundy. It's not as dark as the knitted squares from Rose Marie, but it's also not as orange as it looks in the picture. This is a good size ghan, heavy and warm. I believe it's suitable for an adult (mother), and or an older son given it's size.

Enjoyed working with Rose Marie's nice knitted squares. As you read this 2 more ghans are in the works, so please keep your squares coming throughout the month of December. See details for Give a Square in the sidebar please.

2010
Scarves 306
Hats 574
Mittens 143
Socks 80
Slippers 15
Ghans 6+1=7
Squares 133

Please remember all donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. It truly DOES make a difference. THANK YOU!

Knitted Comfort for Homeless

Knitted hats, and squares from Louise. Look how cute, how soft. The yellow square has a clover, and the white square spells out love. How awesome is that! Many thanks Louise for your continued support for the cold homeless here in Ohio; it is so very much appreciated.

I'll be adding these squares to others received keep you all posted when I design another ghan. As you read this 2 more are in the works. We're making wonderful headway in our quest to make ghans for women and children living in temporary housing at Faith Mission where their needs are great. Many of these Mothers and children were abused, some were homeless; but all are in need. For the months of Nov. and Dec. we're accepting squares to assemble ghans for as many of them as we can. Please see details in the sidebar titled Give a Square.

2010
Scarves 306
Hats 572+2=574
Mittens 143
Socks 80
Slippers 15
Ghans 6
Squares 130+3=133

Please remember all donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. It truly DOES make a difference. THANK YOU!

Another ghan finished for Faith Mission

Needs to be washed and blocked and then can be on it's way. I like the way the colors change, I like the way I used up lots of odds and ends, and I like how that helped me get re-acquainted with some stuff in my stash. However....I'm not happy with no right and wrong side in order to use up the yarn, and to change colors when the yarn ran out instead of estimating and cutting and changing like one normally would on one side. However, it is warm, bright and cheery and will probably be well received by someone in need. Note to self....don't make one this way again.

2010
Scarves 306
Hats 572
Mittens 143
Socks 80
Slippers 15
Ghans 5+1=6
Squares 130

**Trying to locate a T. Miller regarding the donated mittens, anyone know a T. Miller who crochets??**

Please remember all donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. It truly DOES make a difference. THANK YOU!

Squares and Hats Donated

Our friend Rose Marie made more knitted and crocheted squares, hats, and a pair of thumbless mittens. You might remember her knitted squares were used in The blue and burgundy ghan previously, and some more in colorful blocks ghan that's been designed but not yet assembled.

Many thanks Rose Marie for your on going support of our cause, warming the homeless in Central Ohio. We appreciate each and every item you've made. Keep up the good work.


2010
Scarves 306
Hats 566+6=572
Mittens 142+1=143
Socks 80
Slippers 15
Ghans 5
Squares 123+7=130

Have you read about Give a Square? Please do, click badge in the sidebar.

Please remember all donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. It truly DOES make a difference. THANK YOU!

Crocheting Warmth for Homeless

Crocheting for homeless continues. Thank you Liz (Minnisoda at The Ville), for your beautiful squares (8) and awesome hat and scarf set. I can tell the hat and scarf used back post, but unsure if it's double crochet or triple crochet. Either way it's a wonderful matched set that will be great for someone to receive. I'll continue to design and work on afghans from the squares folks are sending for Give a Square, as well as some I had here for our homeless at Faith Mission.

I appreciate each and every donation you all make, please keep up the good work.

2010
Scarves 305+1=306
Hats 565+1=566
Mittens 142
Socks 80
Slippers 15
Ghans 5
Squares 115+8=123

Please remember all donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. It truly DOES make a difference. THANK YOU!

Adding Orange for Health

Orange stash. Well I don't have as much orange stash as with some other colors; but believe I have enough variety in shades that this will be a good next color in the color stash busting corner to corner ghan. And everyone knows eating oranges is a healthy thing to do, so making a ghan to keep one warm will hopefully have the same healthy benefit.
As I continue to decrease I feel like I'm on the home stretch with this knitted corner to corner ghan. I've made one other ghan in this method and really like the diagonal stripes. The negative of course to so many changes in colors, will be the number of ends I'll have to tuck in. This is going to Faith Mission, where women and children are given temporary housing .

2010
Scarves 305
Hats 565
Mittens 142
Socks 80
Slippers 15
Ghans 5
Squares 115

Please remember all donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. It truly DOES make a difference. THANK YOU!

Designing an Afghan for Faith Mission

I like to be ready with a ghan design whenever I finish (getting close to done to the blue and burgundy) one so I can jump right into another one. These are more of wonderful knitted squares from Rose Marie. I've worked on a burgundy and blue block ghan previously using her squares. I think this will be make a very colorful block ghan and am currently planning on joining and edging it with the sage green you see on the left side of the photo. This ghan will be made from 20 squares, while the previous ghan using her squares took 18.

Once again Rose Marie, many thanks for your squares. And special thanks to my Darling Daughter who gifted me the pretty sage green yarn that I'll use to assemble this ghan. I'll keep you posted as it progresses.

Accepting squares for the Give a Square Program during the months of November and December.

2010
Scarves 305
Hats 565
Mittens 142
Socks 80
Slippers 15
Ghans 5
Squares 115

Please remember all donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. It truly DOES make a difference. THANK YOU!

Here's a Hat, What a Hat

If you're as old as me, you might remember a song from The Mickey Mouse Club...Here's a hat, what a hat, you're an honorary musketeer. That song, those lyrics popped into my head as I was posting this picture of the 10 fabulous hats from our friend Sandie in Florida (remember we have multiple Sandie's, Sandy's). These hats are nice and heavy, so will be warm for our homeless folks. She's used 2 strands of yarn together (I believe) and loomed this hats. Very nicely made. Many thanks Sandie for your on going support and this thoughtful donation.
2010
Scarves 305
Hats 565+10=575
Mittens 142
Socks 80
Slippers 15
Ghans 5
Squares 115

Please remember all donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. It truly DOES make a difference. THANK YOU!

Give a Square

A nice blue knitted square from Jessica. Who can't use a blue square. Blue will be easy to incorporate with ghans as I continue to design ghans for our folks at Faith Mission. In fact, I've already begun thinking about this blue square with what I've already got on hand........though I might change my mind as other squares come in from our Give a Square program.

Thank you Jessica for your thoughtful donation.

2010
Scarves 305
Hats 565
Mittens 142
Socks 80
Slippers 15
Ghans 5
Squares 114+1=115

Please remember all donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. It truly DOES make a difference. THANK YOU!

More then just a square

Moving along with the next phase of the burgundy and blue knitted blocks from Rose Marie. Once I finished the first section with the joining and blue edge, I determined I'll not have enough of the navy to do the whole ghan with blue edge; so plan B is that the navy will be used to join, the navy will be used in the 2 inside stripes, and a burgundy will be used for the top and bottom edge. Then a combination of those colors (presumably a row of each), will be used for the final outside edge to pull it all together. Here the burgundy edge facing us looks red, though it is burgundy; a bit lighter then the dark burgundy in the blocks, but I believe with the variegated blocks of blues, burgundy's and tan it will work fine.

Hope everyone is busy knitting and crocheting away, and if you've not yet read about Give a Square, Please do by clicking in the sidebar for details. Thanks.

2010
Scarves 305
Hats 565
Mittens 142
Socks 80
Slippers 15
Ghans 5
Squares 114

Please remember all donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. It truly DOES make a difference. THANK YOU!