Knitted Slippers, Has, and Mittens for the Homeless

Knitted warmth!  Look at the variety here folks.  Slippers in several different sizes and colors to help warm cold feet..........hats for the kiddo's is lots of cute styles, a couple of cowls..........and drum roll for ....you guessed it........MITTENS!  And who knitted and donated all these goodies?  Sue F!  Many thanks Sue for remember us here on Bridge and Beyond.  Extra thanks for tagging slippers and hats and mittens with size. 

I have the trunk of my car all loaded up, as I type this blog post so I can make deliveries on Monday to Homeless Families Foundations.

Sadly the very top of picture is cut off a bit, as there are several hats you can just barely see there in the picture.  Wished I had noticed that before tossing those 5 bags of donations in my car, I could have re-taken the picture; but no clue which bag they are in, or if they are all in the same bag.  Luckily, my note tells me how many of everything so I plug in the number to our progress bars on the right.

Folks these progress bars are new, and not so far the easiest thing to use.  If any of you bloggers know a different style, I would love to know.  Likewise, if anyone knows how to change the default font on the blog.  Some of the functionality seems to be gone that used to be available.  I keep changing the font with each blog post I write, as I don't like the blog default one.......very small and not clean--straight forward looking at this one.  Sing out if you have some thoughts on these two blogging issues.  THanks!!

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 Cotton Washcloths with a Pocket!

Thank you, Thank you Sue F for this thoughtful donation and your ongoing wonderful support of Ohio's cold and homeless.  Sue has a real potpourri of goodies here for those in need.  Sue has knitted mittens (she me dancing...you know how excited I get when we get mittens!), hats, and cotton washcloths.  Please click to enlarge (though I tried to make this picture larger then normal) to check out the details...she's knitted a washcloth with a cool cool pocket where a bar of soap and more will fit.  What a fabulous idea!

Sue's also included lots of personal care items.........these are always needed, summer, winter, spring and fall by all the shelters as well as those living on streets that we care for.

Many thanks Sue, and please keep up the good work!

2014 Donations:
Hats: 431+1=432
Scarves: 251
Socks: 55
Afghans: 12
Slippers: 39+5=44
Rain Ponchos: 5
Mittens & Gloves: 38+5=43
Cotton Washcloths:146+9=155
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.

Thank you Sue F, Clapping for Mittens

Thank you Sue F for this awesome donation of mittens, slippers, and scarves.  All necessary items that are so very much appreciated.  Big special thanks too for tagging slippers and mittens with size.  Your mittens are so nicely made.........I always get excited when we get mittens, as they're just not something we can all make.  Well done, please keep up the good work.

And with this post, I am now current with all the goodies that came in during hubby and my vacation to Hilton Head.......where sadly it ended up being almost as cold as here in Ohio.  Sooooooooo bizarre for that area where normally he can even go golfing in the winter months.  If you'd like a break, want to take a virtual no packing no laundry type vacation, hop over to my travel blog.  Traveling Suitcase

2014 Donations:
Hats: 108
Scarves:57+1=58
Socks: 6
Afghans: 8
Slippers: 11+3=14
Rain Ponchos: 
Mitten: 4+3=7
Cotton Washcloths: 56
Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's, Skirts etc. : 
Misc. Items: include personal care, headbands, hand-warmers, cowls/gators/neckwarmers 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.

Two Boxes of Donations

Thank you Sue F for this awesome donation.  Wow, 2 boxes of donated goodies!  Sue knitted 3 pairs of fabulous slippers/booties.  Sue would love to post the pattern you use for these booties...so nice and warm.  She also knitted and crocheted 10 cotton washcloths in a variety of sizes, colors and styles (neat mix of stitches), and a fun and very cheery afghan.  Her afghan is made in the traditional corner to corner...Grandma's Favorite Dishcloth pattern.  She's then joined 6 large squares...very cool idea.

She's also forwarded some yarn, fun novelty yarn that will probably find it's way into another one of our give aways/contest since we don't use novelty yarns for our donations.  Stay tuned, we always have a contest of some sort during the summer months.

Thank you Sue for your thoughtful donation, please keep up the good work!

Added a new slipper pattern yesterday to the slipper tab from our good friend Tristi.  Please check it out.  How can you turn down something with the title of EASY Double Strand Slippers.  She says they go fast too.  What a plus fast and easy!  Thank you Trisit.

2013 Donations:

Hats:  388
Scarves: 314
Socks: 224
Afghans: 30+1=31
Slippers: 150+3=153
Rain Ponchos: 203
Mittens: 77
Cotton Wash Clothes: 435+10=445
Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's, Skirts etc. : 14
Misc. Items: include personal care, headbands, hand-warmers, cowls/gators and all meal prep related items, Dolls &and ; 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.

Left Handed Knitted and Crocheting

Thought you all might enjoy some pretty flowers.  These are Tiger Lilly's in my side yard.  A few years ago Daddy brought me starts from his yard, as he was in need of thinning out.  Aren't they gorgeous!  This is last years picture, yesterday the first one opened for this season.  I love the color, and how much they've spread........so much so my SIL will be getting starts from me.  I also love that we're able to share things from his yard.

I've got another sweet story for you all about how, when, why etc people have learned to knit and or crochet.  I sure am enjoying reading and posting them for you, please keep them coming.  This story comes from Sue F.  Thanks so much Sue for sharing.

I learned to knit and crochet when I was about eight years old. Because I am left handed, my mother had trouble showing me how to knit. I think she must have showed me some of the basics, but then I used a book to learn the rest. What I remember about learning to knit is that I would knit all the stitches from my left needle to my right and then back again from right to left without moving the needle to my left hand. This created a natural stockinette stitch so I was confused when the book showed a sample of garter stitch which is what you are supposed to get when you knit every row. I continued knitting like this for a few days, probably just making a square or something, until my mom noticed my switch-hitting knitting and showed me the correct way. 

My father is actually the one who taught me to crochet because he is left handed. I don't think he taught me any fancy stitches, but he did show me how to hold the hook and make chain stitches and that was enough to get me started. 

Over the many years since I was eight years old I have gone from making misshapen afghans to all sorts of items. On a crazy day, sitting and knitting or crocheting for a few minutes helps to settle my thoughts and calm me down. 

Now that my family and friends have all the knitted items they could ever need, I am thankful to be able to send my items to you, knowing they will be put to good use. 

**Just a couple weeks left to get your slippers made folks, we never get enough slippers so hope you're all busy knitting and crocheting away.  Plus...they're a good item to work on when it's warm.  Slippers needed for Men, Women, and Children.  Please see slipper tab above for details**

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.

Colorful and Warm Donations

Thank you Sue F from Ohio for this wonderful donation.  I love those slippers!  Folks be sure and click the picture so you can see them better.  I believe she's used double yarn; but am not certain what type of yarn.  Sue...is it double DK or sock yarn?  Very nice and I love fun mix of colors.  She's also knitted 3 nice warm hats and a pair of mittens, and a crocheted scarf.  Again, I think the hats and scarf is double yarn?

Thanks also for remembering to tag those hats and slippers with size...that's very much appreciated.  Please keep up the good work.

Folks this is blog post #973...can you believe we're only 27 posts away from hitting 1,000!!!!  That's pretty exciting to me because all those posts represent wonderful donations from good people like YOU!

Have you joined the facebook group yet?  If not, please do.  I post daily there the names of those who've sent boxes as my friendly mail carrier delivers them, and always a link to the post here of the day.  We're working hard to attract more helping hands.  Help us spread the word.



2013 Donation Totals:
Hats:  258+3=261
Scarves: 222+2=223
Socks:102
Afghans: 4
Slippers: 77+2=79
Rain Ponchos:2
Mittens: 19+1=20
Cotton Wash Clothes: 151
Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's: 4
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.

Round and Round We Go

 Thank you Sue F from Ohio for your thoughtful and generous donation.  So nice to hear from you again.  Lots of knitted warm goodies here folks.  She's knitted some nice thick and warm slippers, scarves, and a Baclava. (gonna count the Baclava with the hats)

 She's knitted and donated 2 round afghans.  Both are very colorful.  Got them folded in half. 

 And a nice thick...maybe double strands colorful stripes afghan.  I love all the pretty cheery colors, Sue F.  I've never made a round afghan, but know they've become pretty popular to make by what I see on Ravelry.  Thank you Sue, and please keep up the good work.

**WOOT WOOT, with your 3 afghans, we've now matched last years totals**

Just one more post before we close out the numbers for our donations for the year 2012.  Please keep checking in folks.

January's focus is Slippers....let's see if we can keep some feet warm with slippers.  Please check the slipper tab for necessary information regarding sizing, colors, and fibers.  AND there's several patterns there you might like to try.

Donations: 2012 

Hats 1051+1=1052  (83 more hats then we donated last year)
Scarves: 663+3=666  (195 scarves over what we donated last year)
Slippers: 148+5=153 (25 over last year)
Sweaters, Ponchos, Shawls, vests:10
Afghans: 52+3=55  (same as last year)
Mittens: 300 (42 more then last year)
Squares: 966 (114 more then last year)
Socks: 281 (52 less pairs then last year)
Rain Poncho's 213 (3 less then last year)
Cotton Washcloths 577 (288 more donated then last year)
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)

**I will continue to add numbers to the years totals after Dec 31st, so all donations received by years end will be counted in the year they are received.  Since each donation is a day, they will be some over flow into January.  Thus year end numbers won't be finalized until then.*

 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!

Why Sue F., donates

A few days ago I posted some of what drives me to donate, and asked you to share why you all do? I've been posting some beautiful stories. I hope you all have been reading them. It's inspiring to see what keeps us all doing this, and it's nice to learn things about each other. My original post is HERE, if you missed it. Wendy H's story is HERE, Sandie P told her story HERE, and Diana K's story is HERE. Please do take time to read, let them inspire you, leave a comment or two. And if you'd like to share your story...please email me at sandycrochet@gmail.com. Thank you to all who've participated.

Here's what Sue F shared.

As with most knitters/crocheters, I had made all the afghans/scarves/hats my family could use (and some of them were sick of getting stuff) so I made some scarves to donate. I had a friend who taught at an elementary school so I gave them to her. When she took them into the teacher's lounge and explained the donation, several teachers were confused. "Why is she doing this?" sort of thing. Apparently being kind to strangers was a mystery to them. Anyway, the school principal took the scarves and wrapped them around the necks of a few of the kids. According to my friend, the kids just lit up. "For me? Someone made this for me?" Many wore them all day.

I made mittens for a friend who teaches special needs kids. The mittens were to stay in the classroom and only be used for going out to recess by those who didn't have any. One day a little boy wanted to wear some of the donated mittens but my friend told him he couldn't because he'd worn his own mittens. The next day the little boy came in, showed my friend his cold red hands and said "Look Teacher, I don't have any mittens. Now I can use the ones in the box, right?"

I know a teenage girl who has spent many years in Foster care. When I told her about how I knit and donate different things she told me that even though she had been adopted she still slept with two small afghans on her bed that were donated to kids in foster care. She said that when she moved from foster home to foster home, the afghans were just about the only thing that were hers and hers alone, to take with her.

For those of us who have so much, it's hard to imagine, but yes, one scarf, one pair of mittens, one afghan can make a difference in the life of someone else.

And that's why I donate.

2012 Donations:
Hats: 382
Scarves: 247
Slippers: 79
Shawls: 2
Sweaters 3
Vest 1
Afghans: 22
Mittens: 147
Squares: 345
Socks: 116
Rain Poncho's 183
Cotton Washcloths 354
Misc Items are not counted individually (such as personal care items, headbands, gators, yarn, wrist warmers/fingerless gloves, facemasks, neck warmers, t-shirts, soap, deodorant, shampoo, toothbrushes 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!

Sensational Slippers Donated

11 pairs of Sensational Slippers knitted and donated by our Friend, Sue F. These are awesome. A variety of colors, and sizes. They are nice and thick, made with double yarn (the ones with the taller cuff...sock like style), with a couple of the footie type style as well. sue included two neoprene headbands and Balaclava ,(helmut liner). I'll be adding her pattern for that to the blog as some point...what a nice warm item that would be.

Sue used the slipper patterns posted here on the blog. Sock type, and footie type. Please click in the slipper tab for the pattern.

Many thanks Sue for your on going support, we truly appreciate it. Keep up the good work.

2012 Donations:
Hats: 217
Scarves: 120
Slippers: 51+11=62
Shawls: 2
Sweaters 3
Vest 1
Afghans: 18
Mittens: 120
Squares: 203
Socks: 102
Rain Poncho's 2
Cotton Washcloths 27
Misc Items are not counted individually (such as personal care items, headbands, gators, yarn, wrist warmers/fingerless gloves, facemasks, neck warmers, t-shirts etc)

**Please folks ALWAYS include a note with your donations that includes your name, your email ady and group we're in together (if that's how we know each other). It truly isn't possible for me to know and remember everyone over the number of years Bridge and Beyond has been in existence. I spend lots of HOURS, looking through emails, facebook friends, Rav friend, friends on The Hive and in The Ville; as well as yahoo mailing groups to try and identify donations without the information. I have no way of knowing if you want to be anonymous...if I knew that I could spend the time knitting and crocheting vs searching and searching. I do like to be able to let you know your donations have arrived safely and to be able to thank you. So PLEASE PLEASE, even if you want to be anonymous, include a note for me stating that. I fear when I can't make the identification, people just feel I'm not acknowledging their donations. That's not my choice. I want you to know your donation has been received, and that's it appreciated. There are times when after looking multiple days, and spending lots of hours I book something as unknown, and weeks later, I'll receive an email asking if their donations arrived. They feel bad, and I've wasted time. When your donation comes with a return address label with your husband's name...it's a good possibility, I don't know it's you. Additionally, the people who use nicknames in groups, and or fun names in their emails ady's typically don't come up in search when I plug in your real name (from the label) to find you. Please save the frustration at my end, and YOURS, include a note.


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!

More Help from Ohio for Ohio Homeless

Waving hello to our newest pair of helping hands, Sue F from Ohio. Fabulous to have you join us here with your thoughtful donation. Awesome mittens (9), scarves (3) and hats (3), 9 cotton washcloths, and 12 squares. Everything is so nicely made, we're thrilled to have you and your skillful hands. Your squares will be introduced with others on hand, and for awhile they'll mingle and play...then we'll put them to work joining others as they become an afghan for Project, "Welcome Home".
Sue also sent some personal care items and a check which I'll use next time I'm out to buy more socks, many many thanks.

**Lots of information and patterns available across the top of the blog, all you need to do is click the tab**

2012 Donations:
Hats: 104+3=107
Scarves: 29+3=32
Slippers: 20
Shawls: 2
Afghans: 7
Mittens: 75+9=84
Squares: 79+12=91
Socks: 42
Cotton Cloths 9
Misc Items are not counted individually (such as personal care items, headbands, gators, yarn, wrist warmers/fingerless gloves etc)

To be a contest winner, you have to enter. Get busy knitting and crocheting, get busy chatted here on the blog with making comments, and blog, tweet, and facebook away. There will be 3 winners. Please read details on Feb 14th's blog post. Good luck all.

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!

New Helping Hands for Ohio's Homeless

Please welcome Sue F from Ohio, our newest pair of helping hands. Many thanks Sue for your first donation here, and may there many more! Sue's above donation includes both knitted and crocheted goodies to warm our folks in need. The hats (10), and the scarves (8) are a variety of sizes and colors.


*****Please avoid open and lacy stitches, if you can see your hand through the item, and or poke your finger through...it's too lacy and not warm enough. *****

I'm happy to report that I've received emails inquiries from some more folks wanting to help and that the news of our cause is in fact spreading. Thank you to all who've helped in that effort with mouth to mouth referrals, facebook posts, tweets, and or posts on blogs and craft forums such as Rav, Crochetville, and The Hive. Please keep up the good work. It's not possible to have too much help. The more help we obtain the more people we can help, the further we can spread our arms.

2011 Donations:

Scarves 420
Hats 903+10=913
Mittens 247
Socks 318
Squares 567
Rain Ponchos 208
Cotton Washcloths 338
Sweaters/Poncho's 10
Slippers 100
Afghans 44 (2 sent to our friends at Pine Street)
Misc Items I've not counted misc items like all the personal care items, the neck warmers, head bands, shawl, hot packs, or yarn etc.

**Have you read about Decembers focus? If not please do HERE
****Have you read all the updates in The People We Help? If not please do so HERE


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!