Gearing up for Those in Need

Folks, it's time to gear up.  Get your knitting needles and crocheted hooks out of summer storage.  Fall and more is truly upon us.  We've actually had snow already......even before the kids go out trick or treating!  That's not a good sign.  I fear we're in for a colder winter then normal, seems we're starting way too early with the below normal temperatures and ........like I said we've already had snow.

Things that are important to remember as we gear up:

• Remember items need to be warm, no holes, no open stitches.  Avoid stitches like v stitches with crochet.  How do you know if your stitches are too open?  If you can put your fingers through it...it's too open.  Select a smaller hook and or different stitch.  Holes and open stitches make the scarves, hats etc not as warm as they need to be.  Avoid stitches like granny stitches for scarves and hats and other similar stitches.
• Remember pastels colors get dirty, people don't have the ease of a washing machine; so please avoid pastels, ivory, white and tan.
• Please avoid wild strips, solids are truly best.  Homeless do not want to call attention to themselves.  Solids work for men, women, teen, and children; while fun stripes may only work for children.
• Avoid all novelty yarn, suede, cotton, and wool (unless it's washable wool).
• Please remember to add tags to ALL your hats, mittens, and slippers with the size you made. 
• Please remember to add a note that includes your name, and your email ady.  Anonymous donations are not accepted.  You can be anonymous to the group/blog by leaving me a note with your donation; but being anonymous to me is not acceptable.
• We do not collect items sized for babies.
• PLEASE check the item tab so the item you make meets the requirements for color, size, and fiber.  These requirements are needed so that items made are truly what is needed.

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.

Please Do, and Please do not Do

Been awhile since I've posted reminders of what to do, and what not to do. And while all is listed on the specific tabs on the top of the blog, I feel the need to post again here. I know not everyone is a blogger, but I do hope those who aren't still read things here to help us along the way.

Please DO include your name, your email address, your blog url, your profile page url from Facebook, Ravelry, Crochetville and the like so that I might make contact. I am sorry but truly do not have the ability to notify everyone via snail mail that their donations have arrived. Please DO include this, even if you wish to be anonymous here on the blog. I can honor your request to be anonymous here on the blog, but...when you don't include a note, or when the name on the box is your husbands, or when I know you by a nickname different then your real name or screen name etc. I spend lots of time trying to figure out who you are. I really like to let you know your items have arrived safely so you're not wondering.

Please DO attach things that are suppose to be pairs, like mittens and slippers. Sometimes you send multiple items in the same color and I have to measure, and or try on to determine what goes with what. Please save me time, it's so precious.

Please DO label items like hats, mittens, slippers....things where size is an issue. I don't know what size you made, or what size the pattern said they were suppose to be. The little paper tags attached with string work super well. Not only does it save me time measuring, trying on, guessing, and or comparing to others.............it saves time when they reach the shelters. Save precious time so we can get these items in the hands of those who need them quickly.

Please DO use ONLY washable fibers (wool and acrylic).

PLEASE, Please DO remove pet hair/fur and laundered if item has odor of animal and or smoke.

***********
Please, Please DO NOT use suede with your knitting and crocheting. It does not hold it's shape, wear well, or hold up when laundered.

Please DO NOT use open airy lacey stitches with your knitting and crocheting. If you can see your hand through the item, or easily poke your fingers through; it is too lacey and therefore not warm enough.

Please DO NOT spray donated items with perfume, if you're trying to cover pets odors, please launder instead.

Please DO NOT tie a knot and cut. This will never hold up. ALWAYS (no exceptions) leave tails when you join a new piece of yarn/or change color. AND ALWAYS work your tails in (except the last round of square). Please leave that tail. Sincere apologies folks, I know this takes your time when you make your items, but if you don't do them; I lay them aside until I have time. It truly takes more of my time then yours when you consider the number of folks donating.

Please DO NOT use white, ivory, or off white. It's also best to avoid pastels. The Darker colors are more versatile for both adults and children...be they male or female AND they don't show the dirt.

Please and thanks!

**Details of Contest/Give Away Tomorrow, July 1st........Don't miss it**

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!

Reminders and Announcements

ANNOUNCEMENT
Organizing my stash and projects bags the other day and came across this lone mitten. Argh, forgot I never made it's mate. Need to do that. Kicking of Mitten Month with this...for the month of October, let's see if we can raise our mitten numbers. Knitted mittens, crocheted mittens. Mittens for Men, Mittens, for Women, Mittens for children. MITTENS for the month of October, please and thanks. First think Mittens, and then Men if you have a choice. I'd like to take care of those men living outdoors without anything on their hands.

Please continue your wonderful work with hats, and scarves; let's just put mittens in the forefront if you can. Note there are 2 tabs at the top of the page with links to mitten patterns. One is knitted and one is crocheted. Special thanks to the 2 designers, Beth and James.

REMINDER:
Please do not tie knots and cut your knitted or crocheted pieces. Please leave tails when you change yarn colors or add new yarn and work in your 4-5 inches with a crochet hook and or darning needle. When you tie a knot and cut your tail we risk items coming apart in the wash, or coming apart simply with wear. Knots do come undone, and then w have raveling. One of the first things all directions for knitting and crochet tell us is not to cut after a knot. I've had a few otherwise well made items I needed to work with to minimize the cutting after a knot, which delays getting these items to those in need.

2010
Scarves 198
Hats 395
Mittens 40
Socks 73

Please remember 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. It truly DOES make a difference. THANK YOU!