**For new readers, I always name the afghans, based on what they look like. And when I get stumped some of the good folks who donate to Bridge and Beyond turn their creative juices on and help with the naming as well.
So what is crochet...well wiki says:
Crochet (English pronunciation: /kroʊˈʃeɪ/;[1] French: [kʁɔʃɛ][2]) is a process of creating fabric from yarn, thread, or other material strands using a crochet hook.[3] The word is derived from the French word "crochet", meaning hook. Hooks can be made of materials such as metals, woods, or plastic and are commercially manufactured as well as produced by artisans.
Some folks get confused about crochet vs knitting. Crochet is as stated above a hook...knitting is 2 needles.
I learned to crochet when I was very young, about 7 I think from a friends Grandmother. My friend Pam's Grandmother made magical things from string...that's what it seemed like to me. I'd sit beside her and watch, and probably drove the poor woman nuts with all kinds of questions. Then one day...she handed me a red plastic crochet hook and a ball of mint green yarn and proceeded to show me how to make a dollie. I'm sure it was lovely, lol. Anyway, it's a fond memory and I was very proud of that green dollie....no clue what happened to it though. Mom probably, being a good Mother used it until I lost interest, lol
I didn't crochet anything else until years later when my husband was working and going to college. I had a lot of alone time, time on my hands and decided I needed a hobby. I think the next thing I made was
2015 DONATIONS:
Hats: 179
Scarves 67
Mittens/Gloves/Wrist Warmers: 45
Slippers: 50
Rain Poncho's: 53
Cotton Washcloths: 109
Afghans: 6
Socks: 126
Cowls 12
Shawls 1
Misc: items like personal care and things don't fit into above categories aren't counted
All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.
BRAVO SARAH thanks for helping Sandy with these two projects. These will be lovely when completed and I am sure as I am with all the afghans that they will be loved by those who receive them. As Sandy said these will be a labor of love but well worth the effort. Again thank you. My favorite is the Blue Iris,Sandy. At this time of the year I am all about flowers. You said you had a marigold. I have no flowers yet, but am watching my daylilies come up,start of early tulips breaking through, and I have a pussy willow bush that is about 10 feet tall and fantastic this year.
ReplyDeleteThe roller coaster is heading down again for the day. 29 degrees to start, sunny and heading into the 40s. Only to last one day but a little hard after an 84 degree day two days ago.Fun times in MN. GOD BLESS THE HOMELESS. marj in minnesota
Thank you for your continued support Marj, sorry your temps are plunging again. We're warm today, but expecting several days of rain. Daffodils are what I've got up so far, my tulips don't usually come on until after the Daffodils.
DeleteI'm intrigued to know how you set about putting an afghan together with so many different sizes of squares. It must be a mathematical exercise to work out how much "filler" you need.
ReplyDeleteIt could be a math thing, but I don't approach it much in that matter. I lay things out and see how they fit or don't and start adding here and there and when I have several squares fairly equal I start building from there; I'm very good at visualizing what something will look like, but I think lots of folks count the stitches to even things up. Depending on how varied the sizes are, I measure the smallest and the largest and decide how many rows and whether I need double crochet or single crochet or a combination there off. It's like a puzzle for me.
DeleteThere are going to be 2 families totally blessed to receive these afghans. Can't wait to see them finished. Seeing these vests reminds me of my Nana. My mothers Mom. She made these for me in different colors when I was in middle school. I loved them!
ReplyDeleteSweet memories, those vests...I might have to make myself one with fun yarn to feel young again.
Deletenever did learn how to crochet..love the story about how youstarted- and look what grew.
ReplyDeleteThank you Zannie, it was enjoyable for me to go back and realize how it did grow.
DeleteMy sisters used to crochet. They passed the art down to their daughters. They still sew too, a lost art these days.
ReplyDeleteI taught my daughter to crochet also Stephen, and I do sew, but just have never enjoyed it as much as the knitting and crocheting.
DeleteI learned from a great aunt around age 9 and I think you're right about driving them crazy. That's why they gave us a hook dontcha know?? lol Fixed us didn't they? :) Great post and best wishes in helping your charity.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your story too. I often thought it too bad I didn't get to tell that Aunt how much that influenced my life.
DeleteI started with crocheting and moved over to knitting. Most of my blankets that I made when crocheting were simple single and double chained blankets, making them really, really heavy.
ReplyDeleteCrochet is heavier, but with the squares that aren't real solid all the time like a complete blanket made of sc or dc are works out pretty well and is so durable. I also knit probably now more then crochet, partially for the weight and partially because it bothers my arthritis less.
DeleteThose will be very pretty afghans when done. I don't crochet, but my C for the day is comment. I love reading all the comments. I had a vest like the black one, my Mother had someone make it for me for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteHave a Blessed Good Friday Everyone.
I love all the comments too Sue. Smiling that you had a hippie vest too!
DeleteI do love crochet, albeit not very good, but this does bring back a good memory for me: When I first left home in 1972 a girlfriend, her dog and I hitched a ride from the Bay to Lake Tahoe to work. On the way we stopped at Russian River and shared rent with another couple. I learned to crochet.. there was absolutely nothing else to do there. (I need people). So I crochet little squares for weeks. Finally we left and got to Tahoe with our money. I stayed for 3 years and on the nights in front of a TV I did crochet. I never learned how to put all those squares together. Guess what... I still have them. Dusty and dirty. Every now and them I look at them and smile.
ReplyDeleteAs I See It Daily
Katy, if they're washable...made from washable yarn, and you want to donate, I'll put them together, either as they are or add them to my stash and blend them in with others. The key is, are they washable. Most yarn back then wash, less variety then, unless they're wool.
DeleteI remember having those crochet vests that my mom made in the early 1970s. My sister crocheted, I never could get the hang of it when she was trying to teach me. I've looked for classes here because there are so many wonderful patterns of things to crochet, but haven't found any yet. I have an afghan that my sister crocheted years ago that I still use; keeps me warm; I can imagine those that get a gift of a crocheted afghan from your organization appreciate the warmth of it :)
ReplyDeletebetty
Fun how many of us had those hippie vest, fun memories. How nice you have a ghan your sister made, very nice. Thank you Betty for the sweet comment.
DeleteI’m pretty sure I had that vest book. I still love some of the old patterns. You have motivated me to find a similar organization in my area that I can help out with my hand made items.
ReplyDeleteThats awesome Lynda, let me know what you come up with and certainly feel free to join us if you don't find anything in your area.
DeleteThose two afghans look very nice, even before being assembled, I hope you'll post the completed ones, or at least link us! :D
ReplyDeleteHi Blissy I always post the finished pictures so will keep you in my mind. Thank you for the visit and sweet comment.
Deletethis is such a wonderful venture - and i'm glad you're spreading the word even farther with the challenge! I remember an afghan my great grandma made, but i think my sister got it! And my mom used to crochet owls in the 70s - it was big then!
ReplyDeletehappy c day!
Thank you for the visit Tara, funny Owls are big right ow too. What goes around, comes around. It's nice someone in the family has a family afghan.
DeleteI love to crochet. Mostly do squares, though. Probably because I have such ambitions for what I want to do with them one day. ;-)
ReplyDeleteHopefully you'll put them together and make an afghan. Good luck with the project.
DeleteI've made some good progress on the Purple Iris afghan...I have most of the squares outlined in purple as needed to make them all the same size. Then I'll be able assemble them and put a border on. :-) I didn't learn to crochet until I was an adult, but I love it and find it very relaxing to do.
ReplyDeleteAwesome Sarah, glad to hear things are moving along nicely. Enjoy and thanks for popping in and commenting, both are appreciated.
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