More then Mitten Dancing Here

Thank you Ruth! Beautiful work, lovely colors and a nice selection of sizes. Ruth is another new pair of helping hands, and we're thrilled to have her join us in helping the cause. She's warmed homeless here with 5 scarves, 5 pairs of mittens, and 5 matching mitten and scarf sets! All crocheted. Whew....her hook must have been smoking. lol
Wanted to show you a close up of the yellow scarf so you could see her pretty detail in the pattern. The mint green set is the same pattern.
Here's a close up a pair of mittens. She used several patterns here; though the basis for all was Bev's Marvelous Mittens. I'm not a fan of doing back stitch singles so have only used that pattern once myself; but in some of Ruth's mittens she altered that pattern and used dc instead of sc. I think if you click on above picture you can see that in the green pair. DC's go faster then sc and seem less hard on the arthritis to my way of thinking. She also altered the sizing a bit. She extended the cuff from where is says 6 stitches to 11, and used hdc. She also moved the thumb up for 4 stitches by chaining 18 instead of 14. Where the pattern called for sl. st. she used sc.

Thank you Ruth for your thoughtful donation, and for sharing your twist on a mitten pattern!

2010
Scarves 286+10=296
Hats 508
Mittens 66+10=76
Socks 80
Slippers 15
Ghans 5
Squares 132

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!

Thank you Lisa

Thank you Lisa! Some of you might know Lisa as fussy1 over on RAV.
What a nice collection of donated items here. Crocheted hats (5), scarves (5), a fleece headband, a fleece hat (1), a crocheted shawl, and 6 stripes of fleece a friend gave Lisa to send along. I used my pinking shears and cut the edges of 4 of the stripes, then cut and tied the ends for fringe.

I'm thrilled to have Lisa join us warming the homeless. She's had a personal battle and even going through chemo and radiation has been able to give of herself to help others. This unselfish act makes me warm and tingly all over. Many many thanks Lisa, YOU ROCK!

2010
Scarves 275+11=286
Hats 502+6=508
Mittens 66
Socks 80
Slippers 15
Ghans 3
Squares 132

Squares will be collected through out the months of November and December to be joined to make ghans for Mothers and Children at Faith Mission. Read more about the project by clicking on Give a Square in the sidebar.

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!

Slip into these Slippers

Can't you see kids slipping into these cute, warm, and super soft slippers! Thank You Scharlet for your thoughtful donation. These slippers will go to the kids being temporarily housed at Faith Mission. Some of these unfortunate kids are victim of abuse, others were previously homeless. All are in need and these darling crocheted slippers will give them a much needed lift. Scharlet is our newest pair of helping hands here on The Bridge. Welcome and again Thank You. If you're on the Ville, she's IDAGAMMY.

2010
Scarves 275
Hats 502
Mittens 66
Socks 80
Slippers 12+3=15
Ghans 3
Squares 132

GIVE a SQUARE, read all about it by clicking on the badge in the sidebar

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!

Warming heads with Hats

Our good friend Sandie has 2 more lovely hats for the men living under the bridge. Sandie has been such a good long supporter with her wonderful crochet skills she has warmed many many homeless since we began this project. The colors in this picture are a little odd. The carpet looks yellow....no clue why it's tan? The hats are gray and black though the 2nd one here in the photo almost looks green. Weird sometimes how these colors show up in photos.

As always, Thank You Sandie, your work is wonderful and your donations are truly appreciated.

2010
Scarves 275
Hats 500+2=502
Mittens 66
Socks 80
Slippers 12
Ghans 3
Squares 132

Give a Square, Give a Square, Give a Square. Have you read about it? Have you made squares? Have you added a badge to your blog? Have you told your neighbor? Have you told a co-worker? Have you tweeted it? Have you Facebooked it? Have you posted something about it in a forum? WOW..........so many ways to help. PLEASE and THANKS for any combination there of.

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!

Hats, hats, Hats

Hats, hats, Hats! 9 crocheted hats from Krystine L. Thank you for your thoughtful donation Krystine. Krystine is our newest pair of helping hands. Look at the 2 pink and 1 green frilly little girls hats........ADORABLE!! Click to enlarge picture so you can really see them.

Krystine has a sweet lady friend that crocheted these and she wanted to help. Crochet, yarn, knitting sure break down the walls of age. It's such a common ground for so many of us of varying ages that it binds us together in such a marvelous way. How cool is that!

Krystine, please give our thanks to your little lady friend for her thoughtful and generous heart.

2010
Scarves 275
Hats 491+9=500
Mittens 66
Socks 80
Slippers 12
Ghans 3
Squares 132

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!

Help for the Homeless in every Corner

Been working on this corner to corner knitted afghan for our folks at Faith Mission. Using the color clean method. lol I dumped my pink stash and organized it, then my green stash, an then the blue. Organized, re-wrap and sorted as I went through each colored bag. Using up the small balls of this and that. Rows aren't even as I had more of some colors then others, no pre-determined pattern, changing colors as I run out. I am now on the 2nd half, as I've started the decreasing a stitch per row as I go so we'll see how it ends up. Not sure whether there will be a color beyond blue; have to see when I get there. Normally, I make a point to have a right and wrong side; but here I decided not to, I've even changed in mid row when the yarn ran out. Kinda fun to just go for it.

Still working on the blue and burgundy too. Gotta keep the fingers moving, there is much need.

2010
Scarves 275
Hats 491
Mittens 66
Socks 80
Slippers 12
Ghans 3
Squares 132


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!

More loving warmth for the cold Homeless

Mittens, and squares, and socks oh my! 2 pair of nicely knit and very warm mittens, 2 mitered squares also knitted, and a fabulous really heavy pair of socks. James, long time supporter has done it again. Many thanks James for your ongoing support. I know you've been swamped with moving and all, so finding time to make and send these items is truly special. Many many thanks. Hope you're settled in nicely in your new digs and things calm down a bit for you with the holidays coming on.

Give a Square is in full mode, use up some of those odds and ends with your yarn so you can get more for Christmas presents! It's a good system. lol Details in the sidebar.

2010
Scarves 275
Hats 491
Mittens 64+2=66
Socks 79+1=80
Slippers 12
Ghans 3
Squares 130 (since Give a Square)+2=132

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!

Drum Roll Please!

The other day I received an email that got me pretty excited. Having just returned to town from vacation, I was in the process of trying to catch up with email, with blogging, with laundry. In catch up mode, I hadn't had the time to respond to the email from Bendy Carter of "Crochet Magazine". The very next day I received a nice phone call from her. Bendy writes a column for the magazine titled, "Caring and Sharing". Each month she writes about a different charity and asked if she could highlight Bridge and Beyond! Naturally I am thrilled and hope you all who've been busy knitting, crocheting, and looming are as well.

The process has several components. Firstly, she creates a design that matches the said charity. She's thinking hat and scarf for Bridge and Beyond. Once she makes the design, she then crochets the piece/pieces. The photo and the pattern along with information about the charity, link to the webpage, and mailing address for items to be donated will then appear in the magazine. Bridge and Beyond is currently slated for September of 2011. It's my understanding it's common place for magazine's to work that far ahead.

Do you all buy Crochet Magazine? Do you have subscription, or do you buy them on line? I am curious to know. Hoping to swing by my local book store on the way to work and pick up a copy so I can be better acquainted with it. Have you read any of her books? Used any of her patterns? Do Tell!

**Edited Dec 4, 2011 to note that the highlighted article appeared in the December issue, not the Sept issue. You can still get a copy. There are lots of wonderful patterns**
2010
Scarves 275
Hats 491
Mittens 64
Socks 79
Slippers 12
Ghans 3
Squares 130 (since Give a Square)

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!

Special thanks going all the way to France, for helping our Homeless

Donations from across the sea! Look at these wonderful knitted items being donated by Sacha all the way from France! 4 hats, and 3 pair of mittens, and a pair of fingerless gloves. Sorry the sun got in the corner of the picture there on the 2nd red hat. Please click to enlarge picture so you can see her pretty detail work with the Intarsia Knitting. Also wanted to try and describe her fingerless gloves (top right corner). They're a bit different than ones I've seen in the past. The little finger and the ring finger are together covered like they would be in a mitten, and therefore the fingers you do more with are the ones out. There might be a word for that type of fingerless mitten; but I'm not familiar with it.

Sacha and I became acquainted over on The Hive and have enjoyed getting to know one another sharing our love of craft; as so many there do. Thank you Sacha for your thoughtful and beautiful donation, it is so very much appreciated.

Have you read about our latest program, Give a Square? If not please do by click on the words Give a Square.

2010
Scarves 275
Hats 487+4=491
Mittens 60+4=64
Socks 79
Slippers 12
Ghans 3
Squares 130 (since Give a Square)


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!

Mittens and Slippers for the Homeless, AWESOME

Three cheers for Nelda our newest pair of helping hands. Nelda's slippers and mittens are wonderful. Please click on the picture to see the detail in her mittens (particularly the cute children's mittens). Slippers and mittens are all knitted. She sent a variety of sizes which is always helpful. The 2 larger pair of slippers might be double strand? They're so nice and thick and feel so warm. Warm feet and hands are happy feet and hands. Thank you Nelda.

**Give a Square**



2010
Scarves 275
Hats 487
Mittens 57+3=60
Socks 79
Slippers 9+3=12
Ghans 3
Squares 130 (since Give a Square)


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!

And the winner is!

We never seem to get enough mittens, so I thought we'd make this past month, October Mitten Month. Then our friend CrochetPrincess (Beth) suggested we have a mitten challenge, and Mitten Throw Down and so we did. She graciously wrote up a 2nd mitten pattern which you can find in the tabs across the top of the blog to kick us off. I told her I would supply the yarn, FREE YARN to the winner of the contest. The winner of the contest would be the person would knitted and or crocheted the largest number of mittens. Since I was going to be out of town we extended the deadline beyond the end of the month to November 8th, this past Monday. I thought perhaps people were madly still knitting and crocheting though that date and needed a couple of days to mail mittens and so declared though the deadline was Monday and the 8th....today would be the day the announcement was made.

I'm pleased to say we had 11 people participate by sending in mittens. Some you've seen here, some are still in que (generally a new post each and everyday highlighting, counting and documenting someone's pretty heartfelt work). So, you still have some to see...keep checking.

Thanks to all who participated: Sarah S and Sacha from The Hive, James from RAV, and blog friends--Linda, Bunny, Sandie and some new found helping hands who found us from searching on the net even though they don't have blogs Jean, Ruth, and Nelda, and Dorothy from Bev's Charity Challenge. I managed to get a pair in (had hoped for more, but have been madly working on ghans). To date we've collected 96 pairs of mittens, some knitted, some crocheted, some sized for men, some for women, and some for children! 66 pairs of mittens to warm 96 pairs of hands. WONDERFUL! Thank you Thank You.

The winner with 35 pairs of mittens is Jean. Jean you've not yet met, a new pair of helping hands for us. Welcome to the group Jean, Thank you for your lovely mittens. We're thrilled to have you in our ranks. Please email me your snail ady so I can put your yarn...your winnings in the mail to you.

I wrote this blog post early this am before work, and as I returned home this evening had another box of 30 mittens from Dorothy. So, have amended the numbers above. I am thrilled with how many mittens were donated. AND am going to declare 2 winners, a first and 2nd place. I'll be sending out yarn to both Jean and Dorothy.

Our current focus is Give a Square, though we continue to need and accept hats, scarves, mittens all year long.

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!

Progress on Afghan in the works

You might have seen this ghan in it's design form stage 1 HERE, but wanted to share the progress to date with you using Rose Marie's wonderful knitted squares. One row of squares has been stitched together, and the wide border of navy--the crocheted section is complete. The original thought was to use the navy and crocheted around with a border in addition to the navy between the rows of joined squares/rectangles. However, I believe I'll use burgundy after the squares are joined with the navy sections due to the amount of navy I have on hand. A work in progress, one of 3 ghans I'm currently working on for our folks at the Mission.

Working on a knitted corner to corner which you can see here in the green phase.

And have an Autumn Ghan planned with some odds and end here, though edging has not yet started. After staring at this one awhile I believe I will change my joining color, thinking maybe green. Might have to switch out the two squares that have black in them? Thinking still on this one, thus haven't begun the edging.

**Winner of the mitten challenge, the mitten throw down announced tomorrow.
***Give a Square, or more. Have you read up yet on the November and December special? If not, please do in the sidebar.
*****Stay tuned for a very special, and very exciting announcement about Bridge and Beyond and a certain Magazine!

2010
Scarves 275
Hats 487
Mittens 57
Socks 79
Slippers 9
Ghans 3
Squares 130 (since Give a Square)


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!

Knitted Mittens for the Homeless

More mittens for me to dance about. Fabulous, wonderful, warm, soft mittens! These cute creations come to us from the knitting needles of Bunny (Lynda). Look how darling there are. Bunny's work is always awesome. Bunny has been a long time supporter of the cause, she knits, she crochets; she's awesome!

I thought you might like to know how Bunny and I met. We met after Katrina when we were both working on ghans for the survivors in a group our friend Sandie (ie) organized for that cause. So, it's been lots of years that yarn has tied us together.

Many thanks Bunny for your thoughtful donation, as always it's so very much appreciated.

2010
Scarves 275
Hats 487
Mittens 54+3=57
Socks 79
Slippers 9
Ghans 3
Squares 130 (since Give a Square)

**Remember to check back on Friday for the announcement about the winner of the challenge
AND don't forget to check out Give a Square, it's time to make some squares. See sidebar for details.


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!

Mittens, lovely mittens for the homeless!

Mittens!!! See me doing the mitten dance? lol 5 pairs of fun colored knitted mittens from our good friend Linda in Florida. Love these Linda. I know I've asked before; but have forgotten and need to post.-- What pattern did you use? These are knitted with straight garter stitch and look like they wouldn't be too hard to make. They're nice and stretching too which is a plus for sizing. I snagged the largest pair for The Bridge and 4 will go to kids with cold hands in the clinics and The Mission. Wonderfully made, and fun colors too.

Announcement for the winner of the contest will be this Friday, the 12th, which should allow enough mailing time from anyone who sent mittens out on the 8th which is the deadline for the contest. That doesn't mean though folks we don't still need them long after the contest ends. Keep knitting and crocheting, please and thanks. 31 pairs thus far. Let's hope we can raise that number a bit with what might still be in the mail.

2010
Scarves 275
Hats 487
Mittens 49+5=54
Socks 79
Slippers 9
Ghans 3
Squares 130 (since Give a Square)

**Remember we're a week into our newest focus Give a Square! Details here

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!

Frank the Luscious Loomer, Hats for Homeless Galore!

70 wonderful, warm, and fun hats from Frank The Luscious Loomer and Karen. Always so fun to open a box of goodies from Frank and Karen. Lots of different colors, solids stripes and patterns galore! Hugs for your ongoing support for the cause. These fabulous hats will make such a positive difference in so many lives. These knitted hats have been divided between the kids treated at the 2 free clinics, and those living in temporary housing at The Mission. I was able to select some of the larger hats for the men living under The Bridge as well. 70 heads will now be warmer, and 70 people will know they are not forgotten; they are indeed cared for....They DO MATTER. Giving hope is priceless folks.

Thank you again Frank and Karen. Keep up the good work.

Today is the last day folks to get your mittens in the mail for the Mitten Challenge. I'll give a few days for the mail to be delivered and announce the winner on Friday. Thanks again Beth for the idea of the challenge, and for writing up a new pattern. To date, mittens have been received from 9 people (Sarah S., James, Linda in Florida, Sacha, Nelda, Bunny, Sandie, Ruth, and myself).

2010
Scarves 264+11=275
Hats 417+70=487
Mittens 49
Socks 79
Slippers 9
Ghans 3
Squares 130 (since Give a Square)

**please check back often for updates, take time to visit each other's blog, encourage each other to keep up with the good work; and know I appreciate each and everyone one of you and your thoughtful donations!

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!

Catching up for the sake of the Homeless

Just back in town with many wonderful donation to post and share with you all that arrived during my vacation. Please keep checking each and everyday.

Donations include, hats, scarves, mittens, and slippers.

Tomorrow is the deadline for the contest, the mitten challenge from Beth. Assuming people are working feverishly to finish their donations by that date, add a few days for mailing. I'll announce the winner this Friday, the 12th based on all those received.

Once again many thanks to Beth for the idea of the mitten challenge, and for writing up a 2nd pattern for folks to try. I'll be adding a few new tabs with patterns for slippers in the days to come, so do keep checking back.

Please take time and leave comments, as it helps the placement of the blog which helps us with more visibility on the net which translates to more folks finding us, which gives us more helping hands.

Gotta get boxes opened, items counted, photographed and will begin posting. Thanks to all! Keep up the good work.

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!

Afghan in the Works

I pulled these 18 blue, burgundy and variegated knitted squares from those Rose Marie sent. This is the basic lay out for a ghan in the works. Normally I stitch/edge around all squares before joining; but am doing this one a bit different. To utilize the size, I'm stitching together one row horizontally using navy; then am crocheting multiple rows across for a fairly wide border of the navy between each row of stitched squares. This should make a reasonable sized lapghan for either an adult or male teen. I believe the colors are appropriate for that as well.

By the time you read this scheduled post I should be well over half way on the corner to corner ghan for The Mission as well.

2010
Scarves 264+11=275
Hats 417
Mittens 49
Socks 79
Slippers 9
Ghans 3
Squares 130 (since Give a Square)


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!

Soft Scrumptious Scarves

Thank you Becki. Becki is a fellow Ohioan and the maker of these wonderful, soft, scrumptious scarves. Look how pretty they are. I think they are knitted? Becki am I right? I love the way you did the fringe. Somehow they are tied? Click on the picture to see the detail please. Becki and I found each other through Facebook. How cool is that. 11 scarves (9 teen/adult sized and 2 cute child sized on the right hand side).

Not only will there be warmer happier people wearing these scarves, they'll be stylish too! Many thanks Becki.

***Please read the details about The Mitten Challenge, thank you Beth; and Give a Square in the sidebar***

2010
Scarves 264+11=275
Hats 417
Mittens 49
Socks 79
Slippers 9
Ghans 3
Squares 130 (since Give a Square)



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!

More Mittens, Thank You Sarah

Thank you Sarah S. Fabulous warm mittens, 4 pair to warm hands for our homeless. A darling little pair of slippers, 2 pairs of socks to warm feet....always such a need. And look at the awesome personal care packages she put together for us. 6 personal care packages include a toothbrush, a tube of toothpaste, a bar of soap, and a crocheted wash cloth! Awesome. Everything is so truly appreciated. Sarah shared the pattern she used for these (and her previous mitten donation); which I've added above in the tabs. She altered the pattern by not using any of the triple crochets, she substituted single crochets instead. She indicated she often adds a row or two based on the yarn if she feels it's not coming out quite long enough.

2010
Scarves 264
Hats 417
Mittens 45 pairs +4=49
Socks 77+2=79
Slippers 8 +1=9
Ghans 3
Squares 130 (since Give a Square)

***About a week left folks to get in on the mitten challenge. Details in side bar
*****Have you checked out Give a Square? It officially starts in a few days


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!

Crocheted Squares and Scarf for the Homeless

Such a cute scarf made from crocheted granny squares! Thank you Susan. AND 4 more squares to help us with our ghans for the folks at The Mission. Click on the picture to enlarge so you can see the unusual heart grannies on the left side. I've not come across that pattern before. How cute. Granny squares are always fun and such a good way to use up odds and ends. Thank you also Susan for the nice long final tail on your squares. This does remind me I should remind all you to please not tie and cut when you're changing colors. Work in tails of several inches to avoid having items come apart. Cutting after a knot never lasts.

Make sure you're updated on The Mitten Challenge and Give a Square....details found on side bar


2010
Scarves 263+1=264
Hats 417
Mittens 45 pairs
Socks 77
Slippers 8 pairs
Ghans 3
Squares 126+4=130 (since Give a Square)


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!