Knitting Eclectic Afghan Goes Traveling

You might remember this start, as it was posted on Jan 19th, after raiding my stash and stopping at the local yarn shop to buy a few more skeins of fun colors.  I called this Eclectic, but having recently finished a crocheted Eclectic, guess I need to rename this Knitted Eclectic Afghan.  I say Eclectic, because there is no pattern, blocks and stripes of colors are not even, on purpose........it's just free flowing as I grab colors.  It's sorta like a log cabin style in that you go one direction, bind off and then pick up stitches to go another direct......but it's not traditional enough to really be called that.  So, perhaps it could be called contemporary log cabin?  But, whatever...I'm calling it Knitted Eclectic.

It was pretty small here and so I packed it to go with me in my recent travels for something to work on that didn't need to be layed out and pieced together like the squares and stripes that were to be crocheted together.

It's growing in size and has more color (though this picture is a bit dull and not quite true to color). 5 Additional sections thus far.  

Further progress as I knitted in the car on the way home from Hilton Head, a 2 day car ride.  Making progress, but now need to find different set of needles, as I need more cord.  You can see it's pretty bunched up on the current size.  Need to see if I have the same size needle with a longer cord in order to continue to pick up stitches, because as you go the number of stitches on the needles increases.

Today's letter is T, this is perhaps a bit of a cheat.........this afghan traveled with me.  In the first leg I was knitting on board the plane from Columbus to Charlotte and then to Hilton Head, and the 2nd leg was the 2 day car trip back.  Now, it's officially to big to tote in the car and it's traveling days are over..........except of course when it's finished and travels with me to Homeless Families Foundation.  I'm enjoying the color combination and will see if I have enough yarn, or need to add additional colors..........after all, it's truly free form...grab and knit.  Perhaps I swing by the yarn shop and see if anything is on sale.  Not because I need more yarn with my huge stash, but because I don't have this style yarn in my stash ...beyond what I'm already working with.

**The counts on our progress bars are current, the percentages not quite. I'll not be figure the percentages with each update of numbers, but will be updating again next at least by the 20th. I have in fact made a reminder not on my cell phone for the 20th of each month to do percentages. If we're at a milestone, or I just have extra time I may do it more often...but certainly at that scheduled time.

** 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.

Eclectic Afghan for Homeless Families Foundation

This is a start, to what will be a rather eclectic Afghan.  I raided my stash and found  gold, orange, burgundy, gray and teal of the same type and weight of yarn.  Oh, and purple...or perhaps it's more lavender.  So, this knitted afghan is in the works.  I'll be working on it, as well as assembling 3 afghans from stripes and squares and rectangles.  I have project bags all lined up and will keep you informed how things progress.

Since we feel short of our afghan goal last year, I'm trying hard to double my efforts and get a really good start to our goal early in the year.  I'm also hopeful some of you will join me in this endeavor.  Check your stash, check the afghan tab across the top of the blog and see what you might put together.  We're after warmth.  Whether you knit or crochet, remember afghans don't need to be fancy with involved difficult stitches to keep someone warm.  This afghan will be all garter stitches, with the mix of colors providing some interest.

Most crocheted afghans take a bit less time to make than knitted afghans, thus my having 3 crocheted ghans to work on at the same time as this one knitted afghan.  Do you knit or crochet faster?  Perhaps it all comes down to which skill you learned first?

Please stay tuned, as this afghan and the 3 crocheted afghans grow and let me know what you're working on.

**The counts on our progress bars are current, the percentages not quite. I'll not be figure the percentages with each update of numbers, but will be updating again next at least by the 20th. I have in fact made a reminder not on my cell phone for the 20th of each month to do percentages. If we're at a milestone, or I just have extra time I may do it more often...but certainly at that scheduled time.

** 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.

Knitted and Crocheted Afghans in the Works

 The colors here are a bit off.  The center of this knitted afghan is navy, not purple as it sorta looks in this picture.  This afghan has been real piece meal.  Started it in the car on a road trip, and then when it got a bit big for car trips, laid it aside.  Have 4 more sections to finish it, then get ends tucks in, laundered and blocked.  Hoping to get this done soon to help with our numbers for afghans.

This crocheted afghan is getting there.  The pink center was donated, and is a nice start.  Thought working on this might produce another afghan a little quicker, as crocheting is faster than knitting.  After several more rounds of the variegated, will do perhaps a pink or blue section next.  Need to check my stash and see what works.

Hope you're all busy trying to finish up some projects.  I'll keep ya posted how we're doing against our goal of matching last years donated afghan total.  29 to go.

DONATIONS 2017

HATS:  230

SCARVES (Gators, Infinity Scarves)   190

MITTENS:  +9

SLIPPERS: 52

RAIN PONCHOS: 205

COTTON WASHCLOTHS: +72

AFGHANS: 29
SOCKS: 120 

Misc, Ponchos, shawls, headbands etc aren't counted but very much appreciated.

**We started the year with the number of items we had donated last year, 2016; and will subtract our donations from that.  Using the end number for 2016 as the goal for the each item.  So, as the year continues you will see numbers decrease.  Our goal is to meet and surpass the number of items donated last year.**

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.

Pictures of Donations for the Homeless After Being Hacked!

 If you read yesterday's post (and if not PLEASE PLEASE do), you know I was hacked and have been without the ability to use my computer and post for sometime.

 To give you an idea of what wonderful donations have been pending.  I'm posting these pictures, which will all be discussed in subsequent blog posts.

As note in yesterday's post, some pictures were stuck on my computer without my ability to get to them, others stuck in my camera without the ability to load them anywhere.

 Almost all of these wonderful donations had already been bagged for delivery.

 A few have come while I was working through the issues.

And, as we'll be catching up....thought you'd enjoy seeing all these wonderful knitted, crocheted, and loomed goodies!

 Our weather here as already started to turn.  August in fact might have been one of the coldest I can remember.  Ohio August's are always referred to as the dog days of summer.  Not this year.  The last several weeks of the month we had many mornings with temps in the 50's, which is just crazy.

 And now for the last month, we thought we might have what in this area is referred to as Indian Summer....once the kids get back to school it gets super hot.  NOPE, that didn't happen either.

 While we've not had frost yet, we have had lots of fog that last several mornings.  Could barely see out the window this am and it didn't clear til around 10:30 am.  Strange weather indeed.  Though mind you, we're not having floods, or hurricanes, or tornado's or earthquakes, or wild fires and for that, I am very grateful.

The fabulous donations are from:

Melinda G, Emily K, Sandie P, Sandra R, Connor W, Karen S, and Joy D.  Not necessarily in that order folks, just reading from notes.

Please know all your donations are very much appreciated.  AND please keep coming back to the blog to see the blog posts with your goodies.

Again Thank you all for your patience.  AND again, if you didn't read yesterday's post PLEASE do.  I want you all to be informed.

Also folks, thought it was time for a new look so have changed the layout, and theme/color of the blog a bit.  Hope you like it.


2016 Donations:

HATS: 318

SCARVES (Gators, Infinity Scarves) 257

MITTENS: 60

SLIPPERS: 52

RAIN PONCHOS: 205

COTTON WASHCLOTHS: 45

AFGHANS: 33

SOCKS: 120 

Misc, Ponchos, shawls, headbands etc aren't counted but very much appreciated.

**We started the year with the number of items we had donated last year, 2016; and will subtract our donations from that.  Using the end number for 2016 as the goal for the each item.  So, as the year continues you will see numbers decrease.  Our goal is to meet and surpass the number of items donated last year.**

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.

Knitting Stripped Afghan for Homeless

I started this ghan awhile back while out of town and have been chipping away adding stripes here and there in between working on Pink Persuasion which is now finished.  This is straight garter stitch, nothing fancy in the stitch work, but I do love this color combination.  You might remember some time back this yarn was donated by our good friend and long time supporter, Gail B.    This will no doubt be a long term project, though I have made headway since the last time I photographed it on Sandy's Space.  It's now 15 inches.

Do you typically have multiple projects going on at one time?  I do usually.  Partially because with something like this ghan which takes awhile, it's easy to tire of working on the same thing...so it's nice to switch off and on.  Sometimes I feel like knitting, and sometimes I feel like crocheting.  Sometimes I need smaller projects to tote with me,  and work on the larger projects at home.  Sometimes the projects you're working on can't be done in the middle of chaos, so an easier project is needed.  And sometimes...........the yarn simply calls your name and you find you have to start another project, because we all know, we often are not in charge of our stash.

What are you all working on?  Please tell us in your comments below.

2015 Donations:
Hats: 47
Scarves:9
Mittens: 18
Slippers: 20
Rain Poncho's: 3
Cotton Washcloths:13
Afghans:1
Socks: 7
Fingerless gloves/wrist warmers:
Cowls/Infinity scarves: 11
Shawls: 1 (just realized it wasn't listed, don't think I missed any?)
Misc: personal care items and anything not listed above

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.

Knitted and Crocheted Slippers Needed

Can you believe it's December already?  Wow, where does the time go?  December's focus is slippers.  Slippers are needed for men, women, and children.  Please take a look at the slipper tab.......CLICK HERE.  You might enjoy trying one of the slipper patterns there.

Slippers give folks in shelters, even the men who might only be there a night or two the opportunity to put something clean and dry on their feet.  It gives the ability to wash their socks.  Clean dry feet make everyone more comfortable.  Beyond comfort, having dry warm feet also improves health conditions.

Slippers help take off the chill for those living in temporary shelter quarters where heat often isn't as good as it could be.  PLEASE consider using bulky yarn, or double yarn, or making two slippers and put them together for thickness and durability.  PLEASE consider using single crochet or hdc stitches vs double crochet if you're crocheting with regular worsted weight yarn...or even drop down a hook size or two to tighten up the stitches.

2013 Donations:

Hats: 788
Scarves: 444
Socks: 347
Afghans: 51
Slippers: 195
Rain Ponchos: 208
Mittens: 137
Cotton Wash Clothes: 701
Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's, Skirts etc. : 17
Misc. Items: include personal care, headbands, hand-warmers, cowls/gators/neckwarners and all meal prep related items, Dolls, associated items, stuffed/crocheted/knitted toys... etc aren't tabulated

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.

Knitting for Homeless is Ongoing

I've been working on this afghan for sometime.  Off and on, because it's a bit tedious.  Knitted ghans take more time then crocheted ones and I like to change back and forth a bit on knitted and crocheted projects.  This afghan is called Sea and Sand and is over half done currently.  I plan to work on this for several more days and then, once again switch to crocheting.  I'll be selecting another one of the designed waiting in the wings ghans to work on, so stay tuned.

Yesterday I took time to visit everyone (40+) on the bloggers list of those who've donated.  I wanted to invite all to check out the new things going on here on Bridge and Beyond, and encourage visits and comments.  I do that periodically...you know that no doubt, if you're a blogger.  However, it seems many of those folks haven't blogged for a good long while.  I've thought this off and on, as I make my blog visits.  Some are so outdated, blogs from 2010 and 2011 that I'm not sure they'll actually even see my visit and or comments.  Depends on how they have their settings.  Generally, people receive email notifications when someone leaves a comment on their blog.  I do hope they see them.  However, I belief these inactive blogs/links hinder the blogs placement/google ranking etc.  I will be reviewing the list and moving the oldest/most inactive/(probably people who don't blog at all anymore) from the list.  I'll add their names and state to the list of those who don't blog.  If you used to blog and don't any longer, but have a Facebook and or Ravelry Profile page, please let me know and I'll add you to that list instead.

Have you read that we accept quilted scarves and quilts now on Bridge and Beyond?  Are you a quilter?  Do you know someone who is?  Please let them know, would love to have some quilts to put with our afghans for Project Welcome Home for our folks at Homeless Families Foundation.  Do you have blog friends who quilt?  If so, please send them our link.

Have you heard we have a Facebook Group Page?
 Check it out, though ALL updates will appear here on the blog and it will still be the primary source of communication.  Links will be posted there directing you here in order to read the full content of posts and see pictures etc.  But, as one of the many goals for this group/blog for the year 2013; we're striving to reach more caring people in order to serve a larger number of people in need.  Please help us by visiting and chatting in the Facebook group as well as here on the blog.

2013 Donation Totals 
Hats:  55
Scarves: 38
Socks: 26 
Afghans: 2 
Slippers: 7
Misc. Items: include personal care, headbands, and...

**The focus for the remainder of January is slippers.  AND, we'll continue focusing on feet.  Cold, and wet feet are miserable.  So...for the month of February we'll continue with slippers as our focus AND add socks for the feet.  Socks are store bought and should be for men who live outdoors 99% of the time.  Remember to check out the slipper tab at the top of the blog for information about sizing, colors, styles, fiber type etc.  You might enjoy using one of the patterns available there as well.   February  continues to be about feet.**

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.

Before Blocking a Knitted Afghan

This is my completed corner to corner ghan. My first knitted ghan. I do enjoy knitting; but typically crochet ghans. This ghan is knitted corner to corner using the very basic dish cloth pattern starting out with casting on 4 stitches and ending up with 4 stitches before the bind off. I meant to count how many stitches were on the middle row before I began my decease but didn't. Knitting always requires blocking while crochet usually doesn't. One of the reason's I tend to crochet ghans more then knit them. However, I like the mindless ease of the corner to corner ghan and even when just using the basic stitch think the corner to corner business adds to the over all design of a ghan, adds interest I think. It also makes using up odds and ends easier as you don't have to worry about having enough yarn to make really long rows all the time. I didn't count the number of rows before changing colors, changed when I felt like it, or when the yarn looked like it might be running out. You can see some of the colors were repeated, some not. Even where the colors repeated, I might have stopped because I was at the end of that ball. Sometimes you have multiple little balls of the same color.

A good portion of this yarn was from my stash, some was donated by Dear Bunny, some from my DD, some from Rae's Mother, some from Lydia, and some from Tony. So, while I did the knitting, it seemed like a group project to me.

After putting it in the laundry, I blocked it for several days while I was working on the Bits of this and that ghan which will also be for our friends over at Pine Street.

**You still have time to get yourself entered in the blog contest and win free yarn.


2010
Scarves 172
Hats 205+43=248
Mittens 19
Socks 59

2008-2009
Hats 368
Mittens 66
Scarves 147
Socks 79 pair*counts from day 1, Dec 2 2008

Helping the Homeless is a year long Quest

Beautiful, beautiful. Look what Linda in sunny Florida sent us~ She and her knitting needles have been very busy playing together. 3 hats, can you believe how cute the red pinky one in the lower right is......or the scarlet and gray with earflaps that Stella's showing off. Toooooooo cute for sure. 3 pair of mittens, red, green, and a cool variegated pair; and a neat neck gator AND an awesome multi-colored scarf. These beauties were all knitted with nice soft warm yummy yarn. Thank you bunches Linda!

Folks the weather here is finally warm, or at least it is most days; though we've continued to have some nasty cool wet nights which always causes me to look ahead, plan ahead for a few months down the road. Let's keep those hooks and needles flying so when the unpredictable central Ohio weather turns we'll be ready and people won't go cold. We do continue to knit, crochet, loom and collect all year long.

Remember June is Sock it to Me Month. If you can, we'd love to collect some socks for the men. White or dark colors. I buy in bulk when I see a good sale. If you can send socks great; if you'd prefer to save on postage and send money towards socks that too is good. Socks for wet feet are needed all year long.

For all you continue to do, Thank you!

2010
Scarves 146 +1=147
Hats 200+3=203
Mittens 15 pairs+3=18 pairs
Socks 28 pairs
Squares for Pine Street 7

2008-2009
Hats 368
Mittens 66
Scarves 147
Socks 79 pair*counts from day 1, Dec 2 2008

I'm excited and wanted to share.

Folks, we recently hit our 1 year Anniversary, that was back on Dec 2, 2009. Our first post regarding this cause was Dec 2 08. This post is #102. I didn't notice it when I posted #100, which I think is a cool milestone.

I wanted to say thank you to all who've knitted, all who've crocheted, all who've helped by donating yarn, all who've helped some of you get your items mailed here by helping with postage, to Rae for making the deliveries, for my SIL for being our go between and hooking me up with Rae. More thanks go out to all who've made a blog post about our cause and or posted our badge to help spread the word. And thanks also go to those who sent money for socks.

I appreciate each and everyone of you. All donations are important, all are needed, and all are appreciated.

Bless you all for helping to warm another human being. Please keep up the good work.

**worked some on 2 scarves while traveling to and from St. Louis this past wkend, hoping to get them finished in the next day or so.