Sorry Lola

Last night was the end of the month long yarn bombing Lola style contest and the winner was to be announced today.  There is no winner to announce, as there were no participants I'm sad to report.  I had hoped we'd have some fun pictures to look at, but apparently it just wasn't what people were interested in doing.

Sorry Lola.

Pop in tomorrow and check out what's happening, and remember even when you can't knit or crochet due to time constraints or lack of knowing how, you can still help Bridge and Beyond by visiting and leaving comments.  Please let us know you were here.

Thank you.

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.

Lola and Yarn Bombing, Bridge and Beyond Style

Not to make light of the sad situation of Homelessness, but.....we knitters and crocheters can always use a little laugh to keep us going.  Spotted this the other day in my email from Lion Brand and thought it was cute and worth sharing.  Love the play on words about yarn bombing.  Oh Lola, she's such a joker!

Ok.........this gives me an idea.  We've not had a contest here in quite awhile.  How bout everyone actually do some yarnbombing...Lola style ( you knitting or crocheting, holding yarn) and email me your pictures.  We'll display them here on Bridge and Beyond.  Each person who participates gets an entry into the yarn bombing photo contest and a name will be drawn the winner.  Take your pictures through the end of the current month, May, and on June 1st we'll announce the first winner.

On June 2nd, I'll post all the pictures so folks can vote for the photo they like best for yarn bombing and that will be the 2nd winner which will be announced on June 10th!  Quick, go mark your calendars, I'm doing the same so I don't miss the dates I told you.

Rules for the Contest:

1. One entry per person (email me 1 photo of you yarnbombing).  My email for this contest is: SandyBridgeContest1@gmail.com
2. Entries can begin today May8th and run through May 31st
3. Winner will be announced here on the blog on June 1st
4. Once the winner is announced you must email me, at the special email addy listed above your snail addy and whether you're a knitter or crocheter or both.  Deadline June 4th.
5. If response hasn't been received by June 4th, then a 2nd drawing for the winner will be announced.
6. All entries will be posted (without names) on June 2nd for voting.
7. Voting for favorite yarn bombing photo runs from June 2nd through June 9th.
8. Winner for favorite photo announced on June 10th.
9. Winner of photo contest must email snail addy to me by June 14th, along with whether you're a knitter, crocheter, or both.
10. If no response by June 14th, the runner up will be announced.

The Prize...........Yarn of course!

2015 DONATIONS:
Hats: 191
Scarves 73
Mittens/Gloves/Wrist Warmers: 45
Slippers: 63
Rain Poncho's:  53
Cotton Washcloths: 115
Afghans: 8
Socks: 126
Cowls/Hoody Combo's/ 17
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.

Lola Talking Scarves

 Perhaps you all saw this some time back on the Lion Brand Web Site...they always have cute Lola cartoons.  The idea behind this is

Mish Mosh.  Now I don't think this scarf is a good idea for homeless, remember they don't like to call attention to themselves, so bright colors aren't the best ideas, nor are alot of stripes...plus solids go better with 99.9% of everything, be it for a women, a child, or an adult male.  But, perhaps the idea has some merit...if you're trying to use up some odds and ends, you might do blocks with a variety of stitches....??Personally, don't think I would be comfortable wearing something like this that isn't going to go with anything...but I wondered whatyou all thought of the idea behind it?

2014 Donations:
Hats: 402
Scarves: 249
Socks: 55
Afghans: 11
Slippers: 39
Rain Ponchos: 5
Mittens & Gloves: 34
Cotton Washcloths:146
Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's, Skirts, and Shrugs etc. 8
Neck warmers, cowls, gators, wrists warmers/fingerless gloves and other misc items aren't tabulated; as well as personal care items

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.

Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets

Thought you all might get a kick out of this cute cartoon about how nuts we who knit and crochet are.  I can't remember if I saw this on Facebook or on LionBrands site; maybe both.  Anyway, thought it was cute and worth a repeat.

Hope you're all keeping busy now the weather has finally turned nice in most places.  We're still closing windows and putting on fleece some days/nights here.  Normally that's not the case for this time of year, it's been a bit wonky.  Do keep your fingers busy with hooks, yarn, and needles.  We like to collect and delivery our awesome donations all year long.....even in summer.

June is slipper month, hope we get huge numbers of slippers.  We need slippers for men, women, and children.  Remember slippers should be made nice and thick (no loose stitches please).  PLease check the slipper tab for ideas about how to use double yarn, or chucky yarn, or how to put 2 slippers together.


2013 Donations:

Hats:  374
Scarves: 289
Socks: 200
Afghans: 25
Slippers: 132
Rain Ponchos: 202
Mittens: 77
Cotton Wash Clothes: 369
Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's: 10
Misc. Items: include personal care, headbands, handwarmers, cowls/gators and all meal prep related items, 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.

First Donation of 2013

Hats, and socks, and a quilted scarf...keep looking

More quilted scarves, and flannel scarves.....don't stop yet.

Thank you Lola for our first donation of 2013.  Like yesterday's post (if you missed it, please please scroll back and read it),  thought it was scheduled to post, but apparently it was still in draft form.  I can't give you the numbers here as this post was truly in draft form and not completed.  Will have to update with numbers on my return when I can check the note laying on my desk at home.  I can tell you there are 22 hats here and lots of scarves.

Lola is a quilter and wanted to try her hand at making quilted scarves to donate to our cause.  Please click to enlarge the picture so you can see her work.  The scarves are a wonderful size, big enough to wrap around which always makes things warmer.  The red, black and gray is flannel.  Stacks of double thickness flannel scarves.  There are a variety of sizes, many look like they'll work well for young children.  Flannel is soft and so I can these might work well for young children...even when they need to tie across their faces to keep warm.  I'll be checking with the various shelters, and schools to see how the flannel is received/used and let you all know what I learn.

Lola's friend Sue (I hope I'm remembering that right, as mentioned note in home on my desk.), has a sewing shop in Westerville and had all her students make 1 scarf before they made whatever item they had signed up to make. (that's where all the plaid flannel scarves came from.)  I'll edit this post with numbers and name if I remembered it wrong.

We've been a knitting and crochet group now for the past 4 years.  While I don't wish to change that focus, I think as we start our 5th year we'll open up the groups mission to include sewers/quilters.  Our focus has always been HOMEMADE.  It's my belief (and others too), that homemade conveys more hope/love then store bought.  With that in mind, I believe we'll reach out for additional helping hands to sewers/quilters.  I think quilts would make a nice addition to our homemade afghans for Project Welcome Home.  I like the idea of the quilted scarves as they are double thickness with batting.   I think we'll limit it to that for the time being, as I don't want to veer from the need of warmth, and  think most sewn items probably aren't as warm as we need them to be.  So, if you have friends who'd like to help but haven't because they don't knit or crochet....let them know they can assist with making quilts and quilted scarves.  Please remind them to check the scarf and afghan tabs for necessary information about size and colors.

**edited to add numbers**

2013 Donation Totals 
Hats:  22
Scarves: 38 (31 flannel and 7 quilted)
Socks: 6

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. YOU truly DO make a difference. THANK YOU!

Meeting New Helping Hands

 Meeting, face to face is always so much fun.  Lola, our newest pair of helping hands and I were able to meet and enjoyed chatting.  I even got to meet her sweet husband when they dropped off this colorful donation.  Lola and her sister (sorry don't know sister's name), like to loom hats.  As you can see, they've been very busy making medium sized hats of ever color possible.  In the above picture you can see hats with a nice large brim, as well as those not folded.  These hats can fit a variety of people from adults to teens, and with the brim folded large or twice some children as well.

 More hats, a total of 77; just divided them into 2 groups for the photo's.  Many thanks Lola and Sister, we're thrilled to have you join the cause and look forward to more good work from you both.  Hope to see you here often on Bridge and Beyond.

I'd like to help; but I'm too busy to knit or crochet right now.  I often here that; or I don't knit or crochet and would love to help.  My answer is, YOU CAN.  There are many ways to help.  You can help buy purchasing socks.  Socks are needed all year long.  Mens socks please.  Want to help, but can't do so if it involves spending?  No problem.  Spend time on our blog, reading and posting comments.  Yes, that really does help.  Tell your friends and neighbors and co-workers about us.  They might knit or crochet, or be able to buy socks...and spend time reading and commenting.  Do you blog?  Blog about us, leave a link so people can find the blog that helps spread the word.  Do you have a facebook, 4 Square, Pinterest, or Twitter account?  Talk about us, leave a link...help people find us.  Send out our link to your email account.  Help us spread the word, the more helping hands we can garner, the more people in need we can reach.  Thank You!
Donations: 2012
Hats 871+77=948
Scarves: 588
Slippers: 144

Sweaters& Ponchos, Shawls, vests:8

Afghans: 42
Mittens: 299
Squares: 849
Socks: 196
Rain Poncho's 213
Cotton Washcloths 521
Misc Items are not counted individually (such as personal care items, headbands, gators, yarn, wrist warmers/fingerless gloves, face-masks, neck warmers, t-shirts, soap, deodorant, shampoo, toothbrushes, hand and foot warmers Teddy Bears and footies etc)

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. YOU truly DO make a difference. THANK YOU!