Calendar

We collect hats, scarves, mittens, slippers, and socks all year long.  Socks for men, Hats, scarves, mittens, and slippers for men, women and children.  There are specific months when we collect squares and washcloths.  Each month we highlight an item based on need.  I can now do this based on our history.  You can click on bolded items to read what we've done in the past and this section of the blog will be updated to include the new monthly highlighted projects.

2012 Working Calendar

January's focus will be mittens.  Please label mittens as to the size you made, adult, male, female, child, small, medium, or large etc.  If the pattern you're using doesn't have a long cuff, please add a couple of rows to make it longer.  Please attach your mittens to each other.  Please avoid white, off-white, ivory.  AND please avoid open lacy stitches.

February's focus will be slippers (please consider making slippers with double thickness yarn, or make 2 and sew them together; to make them thicker and more durable...as well as warmer.  Please label your slippers as to the intended size (men, women, children, small, medium, large and or extra large).  Avoid White, off-white, and ivory please.  Please avoid open loose stitches for slippers.  Please attach your slippers to each other.

March's focus will be scarves.  Please consider the size of your scarf and who it's intended for.  Adult scarves should be at least 5 inches wide and at least 5 feet long for women, and at least 6 feet long for Men.  Please avoid making small scarves that can't be doubled around someone's neck for warmth.  Scarves should not be made for toddlers or younger children.  If you use double yarn, please launder it, as that helps soften it.  Again please avoid white and off white, please avoid open airy stitches (remember...if you can poke your finger through it, it's too open).

April's focus will be rain poncho's, and cotton washcloths (knitted or crocheted).  Washcloths are always needed at all the shelters, 3 family shelters as well as the men and women's shelters.  Additionally, cotton washcloths are needed for the men and women living in the elements/under the bridges etc.  Please make ALL cotton washcloths adult sized. 

May's  focus will be slippers.  Slippers need to be made from washable yarn, acrylic and be sized for men, women, and children.  Please label your slippers as to the size you made/obtained from the pattern you used.  Please review the slipper tab to see suggested patterns.  Please consider using double yarn, chunky yarn, and or doubling up on the slippers to make them warm and sturdy.  Please avoid patterns that have a draw string in them, as they aren't very stretchable and therefore are limited in the number of people they'll fit.

June's focus will be HATS.  I've not often needed to make hats a focus; but we're actually behind our count at this time last year.  Hats for MEN, Women, and Children.  Infants aren't a need.  Hats for those living outdoors are best in solid darker colors for both the men and the women.  Though the need for men is a bit greater.  White, and off white and other light colors don't work well for those in the shelters.  PLEASE avoid hats that won't cover the ears, like a tam or cap as they aren't as warm. 

2011
January was Give a Square and Rainbow Project Month
February was Toasty Toes (slippers)
March was Sock it to Me (socks)
April was April Showers (poncho's)
May is Scarves and Comment Contest
June  Comment Contest, and Cotton Wash Cloths
July Give a Square
August Men's Hats (dark colors for men, large adult hats, warm, warm, warm.  Men live outdoors and only get a night here and there at various shelters)
September  Scarves (No lace or open weave please.  If you can see your hand through the stitches, it's probably too open and not warm enough.  Scarves should be at least 5 inches wide, wider for adult males.  Scarves should be for older kids, teens, and adults.  Younger children don't wear scarves due to the safety hazard.  Scarves should be long enough to wrap around at least once (if not twice), with a reasonable tail).

October Mittens, Mittens with a nice long cuff add extra warmth.  There are several patterns here on the blog that have been donated.  Both knitted and crocheted.

November  Jack Otis Memorial Month

December Squares, will be activated our Give a Square Program for the month of December.  Please read all guidelines before you make or make your squares.