As most of you probably know by know, 2013 means Bridge and Beyond has been knitting and crocheting for the Homeless for 5 years. I'm thrilled to say throughout those 5 years, we've grown in so many ways. We grown in the number of helping hands we have, we've grown in the number of people we're able to help with our donations, we've grown in the variety of the items we collect, and we've grown in the actual number of each item collected.
A few days ago I announced we would be extending to accept quilted blankets/afghans for Homeless Families Foundation, and double thickness with batting scarves. Please help spread the word by letting your quilting friends know.
With growth however, difficulties/problems also seem to grow. Because of that, I will no longer be able to make repairs/alterations etc on items that are needed. I currently have a rather large box of things needing attention before they can be of use. The biggest issues seem to be Tails not properly worked in. This problem comes in several forms. An item with multiple color changes with tails hanging out (even if on the inside of a hat...tails should be properly worked in), and worse yet knots where yarn has been tied and the knot is sticking out on either the right or wrong side of the item. Knots are uncomfortable on one's head if the hat fits snugly, and knots are ALWAYS the weakest link. Many of these knots have already started to come un-raveled because tails weren't worked in and or the yarn was cut immediately after knotting. When you knot and cut without working in a tail of several inches it will not hold. I've taken time to re-work some hats, scarves, squares etc to make them usable but it takes time and sometimes after spending the extra time; it's still not usable. I don't have the right color of yarn; and often it's just simply not fixable.
My apologies if my bluntness here offends, but I think the items being donated should be viewed as gifts you're giving. In fact, they are gifts. They're gifts to give someone hope as well as keep them warm. Something unraveled, or with tails hanging out doesn't present the imagine that someone took time to make something special just for you. I've taken time in the past to even fold over and stitch edges that have been one knot after another in an effort to hopefully not have the item unravel after it's first use. I've had some squares unraveled when a ghan has been laundered. If it unravels after one washing on delicate; there is no way it's going to hold up to constant use by a family. I do look over the squares pretty carefully when I edge and join; but have missed some squares that weren't well constructed, causing some fancy footwork after the fact.
My hope/goal for the upcoming year is not have to throw away items that you intended to be donated. However, I no longer will be setting aside items to be worked on later if they are issues. PLEASE do not tie and cut when knitting or crocheting anything. When changing colors, or simply adding additional yarn ALWAYS work in tails of several inches. Working in tails as you go is a far superior method to working them in at the end, plus you don't forget to do them.
2013 Donation Totals
Hats: 22
Scarves: 38 (31 flannel and 7 quilted)
Socks: 6
Afghans: 1
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.
IMHO this seems like a very fair request.
ReplyDeleteIf someone is going to take the time to make something, what's a few more minutes to join yarn properly and weave in ends?
I'd rather take the time than know my donation is going to be pitched because it doesn't meet guidelines, waste of time and yarn and postage.
I am so sorry Sandy that you have had to rip out items that have been donated to you. That was lots of extra work for you. Thank you for posting the reminders.
ReplyDeleteThank you SSeger, and trisnjer for the visits, taking time to read this post and your support. This was a hard post to write and I'm thrilled to see you both understanding the situation.
ReplyDeleteCould I offer a suggestion to all crocheters/knitters? I use a large eyed needle and "sew in the tail" rather than weaving it in which, in my opinion, only leaves a way for it to come undone. I found a couple old hats I had made where the tailes worked themselves out. It takes a few extra minutes but it certainly makes a finished product!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your input Dianne Lanbe. I only use the darning needle typically for the very final tail. Still belief the very best method is to knit and or crochet your tails in as you're making the item. That way you have more reinforcement and it's less tedious, and you don't forget to do it. When people wait to the end they're in a hurry to get the item done, and almost no one enjoys working in tails and so they tend not to take the time to do it well. But, if tails aren't worked in properly they are not going to hold up.
ReplyDeleteYou were right to bring up the matter of badly finished donations. The amount of time it must take you to fix loose ends and knots must be considerable, and while you are doing that you cannot be making more donations. If a knitter or crocheter has spent time and money making a donation then I would have thought that wanting it to last a long time would have been one of their considerations, and pride in their work another.
ReplyDeleteThank you Pauline, this wasn't the easiest post to write, but I felt it was necessary.
ReplyDelete