Meeting the Needs of Homeless

Making items needed vs items we like to make can sometimes be a challenge.  When it comes to warming the homeless, those outside in the elements and or those living temporarily in shelters it's important to make our donations useable by those who receive our gifts.

• Maybe we have pretty, soft pastels in our yarn stash and like to make quick open lacey style scarves.  While doing that may serve our purpose of using up our stash, and make us feel good to make several items quickly, it doesn't really meet the need and therefore whom are we serving?  Have we really accomplished anything?
• Maybe we like to make lots of stripes, in whatever we're making.  It's a good way to use up small amounts of yarn left overs in or stash; but it makes the final product bightly colored, perhaps even wild.  Will it blend easily with a variety of coat colors?  Will it blend into the environment where our person in need finds themselves?  Or will it do the opposite, will it call attention to the individual?  Calling attention to the individual can be dangerous for those living outdoors (who often get harassed by police and others).  Calling attention to a child on a playground who's wearing wild stripes/ wild colors when his/her playmates aren't wearing wild colors/stripes is a sure way to single out a child for ridicule...a way for other kids to poke fun.  A way to bully even.  So again, I would ask whom are we serving?  Have we accomplished our goal?

Please read the tabs folks about size, colors, styles, fibers before you take precious time to knit, crochet, or loom an item to be donated.

I've always indicated solids are preferred over stripes, darks over pastels and brights for the above reasons, plus the dirt factor.  Additionally, the fewer stripes generally means fewer ends to work in, to worry about unraveling so we save some headaches that way too.  Stripes for edging or to add some detail are nice...but, it's not the only way to add interest to the item.

Suzanne, has posted some wonderful patterns indicating how we as crafters can add interest with texture that pleases us as we're knitting and or crocheting; but also to the recipant of the donated item.

Please take a look at her blog post where she discusses Bridge and Beyond, HERE http://www.suzannebroadhurst.com/2014/01/06/crochet-for-a-cause-simple-scarf-for-a-homeless-one/.  In fact, take time and look around her blog, as she's focusing on homeless crafting during this moth.



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.


http://www.suzannebroadhurst.com/