So Many Opportunities

Several weeks ago I attended a Sausage Party. This is an annual event that takes place in my neighborhood, just down the street. The gentlemen who's been hosting this event has done so for 18 years. His purpose is to make sausage, to continue a tradition from a Hungarian Gentlemen who taught him the craft. His purpose was to make sure his kids knew, and now his grandchildren know that preparing food is hard work, and fun, takes skill and dedication and to appreciate what people before us did. Remember, buying food packaged from the grocery store is all most younger than us know about.

However, he has yet another purpose. He gathers friends, neighbors, relatives, and co-workers for this ever growing event. Typically there are several hundred in attendance. Men cut and begin prepping the meat on Thursday. Friday people begin making their way in from out of town. And soon it's a party with a purpose. Several tables of meat cutting continue in the garage where the meat grinder is set up. Jack, our host always dumps in the secret ingredients. The sausage is packed in the kitchen with several stuffers going hour after hour. Everyone gets in the act, from the wee little ones, to the grandparents. Food and drink abound and a ceramic pig for donations is available in the kitchen, and the garage. All the monies donated go to Holy Family, a local church/soup kitchen that feeds on average 700 homeless a day. Holy Family has been in existence since 1970. In addition to the hot meals prepared daily for the homeless a food bank helps families in need.

People can collect a sampling of each of the 6 or 7 types of sausages made in any given year from Italian to Hungarian, to Andouille, Chorizo, and others (after it's been smoked in the smoke house in Jack's backyard). In addition to the monies collected (this year a bit over $400.00), sausage is also donated to Holy Family.

So here I am at the party, chatting with people I've met in other years, and meeting new folks; when I asked whether clothing was provided, or needed to those that are fed at Holy Family. I was speaking to a lady who volunteers in the soup kitchen several times a week. She was thrilled that someone asked, and talked about how cold some of these folks were. I had 50 hats bagged. Told her I had 50 hats geared towards school age and teenage kids. She was beyond thrilled. So, folks we reached out again....the beyond part of our mission. Now as Holy Family feeds those that come in off the street, and or from the various homeless shelters; they'll be able to give cold children and teens a hat to help warm them up.  The lady I met is Lynn.

Thank you all for providing enough caring with your donations, that we're able to continue to help so many in need. It was a good night, and I was happy we were able to respond to the opportunity to help.

I should also add how good our neighborhood smells while all this sausage is being smoked. That process takes about a week or two.

2010
Scarves 306
Hats 574
Mittens 143
Socks 80
Slippers 15
Ghans 7
Squares 133

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!

Memories of Bridge and Beyond and all YOU'VE Accomplished

As we approach the end of this year, 2010; I thought it might be fun and appropriate to see where we've been. On Dec 2, 2008 I made my first post here after putting together the blog. I envisioned a team style blog, but ran into issues with compatibility and found trying to work with it cumbersome. So very quickly changed to a regular blog, where I post but anyone can comment...member or non member, blogger or non blogger. That proved to be a good change, as we've had much help from fellow knitters and crocheters who don't happen to be fellow bloggers. Some we know from Crochetville, some from Ravelry, and some find us and make contact via email.

By December 5, 2008 one of our blog readers Sunny Fairy designed our cool blog badge. Though we no longer hear from her via blogging, we still use the cool badge she designed. Thank you very much Sunny Fairy, it is still appreciated.

In less than a week, 6 days to be exact I received the first of many emails to come asking for an address to mail donations, and clarifying how they might help the cause. I can still remember how excited I was to get those emails on Dec 8, having only started the blog on the 2nd. WOW

By December 9th, we had our first donation. Hats off to our Very Dear and long time friend, Bunny. Bunny still supports us with her talent. Many thanks! Her name is clickable if you'd like to pop over and say hi on her blog.

A few days later, I finished my first scarf for the cause.

By Dec, 31, 2008...less than one month from start up we had collected 24 scarves and 33 hats! In that time frame I had written 19 posts, and we had 100 comments.

During the first month Dec 2nd through Dec 31, 2008 The following people knitted, or crocheted and sent donations:
Bunny, Dorothy in Wisc, Frosty from Rav, Dorothy in San Antonio, Judy from Ohio, Molly, Sandie from Louisiana, and Melanie (Lil_Knitter from Rav).
I'd like to take another opportunity to say THANK YOU. It is because of you, I felt encouraged to continue to knit and crochet and blog often about our cause. It is because of you I felt encouraged to continue the fight to help homeless and those in need.

My deepest appreciation for each and every stitch you've made.
2010
Scarves 306
Hats 574
Mittens 143
Socks 80
Slippers 15
Ghans 7
Squares 133


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!

Another Afghan for Faith Mission

In need of being laundered, then a bit of blocking and away we go with another completed afghan for the folks at Faith Mission. You've probably seen this in various stages as a work in progress. I would have preferred to have all the edges, stripes in navy; but not having enough of it, went to plan B which was to add burgundy. It's not as dark as the knitted squares from Rose Marie, but it's also not as orange as it looks in the picture. This is a good size ghan, heavy and warm. I believe it's suitable for an adult (mother), and or an older son given it's size.

Enjoyed working with Rose Marie's nice knitted squares. As you read this 2 more ghans are in the works, so please keep your squares coming throughout the month of December. See details for Give a Square in the sidebar please.

2010
Scarves 306
Hats 574
Mittens 143
Socks 80
Slippers 15
Ghans 6+1=7
Squares 133

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 Comfort for Homeless

Knitted hats, and squares from Louise. Look how cute, how soft. The yellow square has a clover, and the white square spells out love. How awesome is that! Many thanks Louise for your continued support for the cold homeless here in Ohio; it is so very much appreciated.

I'll be adding these squares to others received keep you all posted when I design another ghan. As you read this 2 more are in the works. We're making wonderful headway in our quest to make ghans for women and children living in temporary housing at Faith Mission where their needs are great. Many of these Mothers and children were abused, some were homeless; but all are in need. For the months of Nov. and Dec. we're accepting squares to assemble ghans for as many of them as we can. Please see details in the sidebar titled Give a Square.

2010
Scarves 306
Hats 572+2=574
Mittens 143
Socks 80
Slippers 15
Ghans 6
Squares 130+3=133

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!

Another ghan finished for Faith Mission

Needs to be washed and blocked and then can be on it's way. I like the way the colors change, I like the way I used up lots of odds and ends, and I like how that helped me get re-acquainted with some stuff in my stash. However....I'm not happy with no right and wrong side in order to use up the yarn, and to change colors when the yarn ran out instead of estimating and cutting and changing like one normally would on one side. However, it is warm, bright and cheery and will probably be well received by someone in need. Note to self....don't make one this way again.

2010
Scarves 306
Hats 572
Mittens 143
Socks 80
Slippers 15
Ghans 5+1=6
Squares 130

**Trying to locate a T. Miller regarding the donated mittens, anyone know a T. Miller who crochets??**

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!

Squares and Hats Donated

Our friend Rose Marie made more knitted and crocheted squares, hats, and a pair of thumbless mittens. You might remember her knitted squares were used in The blue and burgundy ghan previously, and some more in colorful blocks ghan that's been designed but not yet assembled.

Many thanks Rose Marie for your on going support of our cause, warming the homeless in Central Ohio. We appreciate each and every item you've made. Keep up the good work.


2010
Scarves 306
Hats 566+6=572
Mittens 142+1=143
Socks 80
Slippers 15
Ghans 5
Squares 123+7=130

Have you read about Give a Square? Please do, click 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!

Crocheting Warmth for Homeless

Crocheting for homeless continues. Thank you Liz (Minnisoda at The Ville), for your beautiful squares (8) and awesome hat and scarf set. I can tell the hat and scarf used back post, but unsure if it's double crochet or triple crochet. Either way it's a wonderful matched set that will be great for someone to receive. I'll continue to design and work on afghans from the squares folks are sending for Give a Square, as well as some I had here for our homeless at Faith Mission.

I appreciate each and every donation you all make, please keep up the good work.

2010
Scarves 305+1=306
Hats 565+1=566
Mittens 142
Socks 80
Slippers 15
Ghans 5
Squares 115+8=123

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!

Adding Orange for Health

Orange stash. Well I don't have as much orange stash as with some other colors; but believe I have enough variety in shades that this will be a good next color in the color stash busting corner to corner ghan. And everyone knows eating oranges is a healthy thing to do, so making a ghan to keep one warm will hopefully have the same healthy benefit.
As I continue to decrease I feel like I'm on the home stretch with this knitted corner to corner ghan. I've made one other ghan in this method and really like the diagonal stripes. The negative of course to so many changes in colors, will be the number of ends I'll have to tuck in. This is going to Faith Mission, where women and children are given temporary housing .

2010
Scarves 305
Hats 565
Mittens 142
Socks 80
Slippers 15
Ghans 5
Squares 115

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!

Designing an Afghan for Faith Mission

I like to be ready with a ghan design whenever I finish (getting close to done to the blue and burgundy) one so I can jump right into another one. These are more of wonderful knitted squares from Rose Marie. I've worked on a burgundy and blue block ghan previously using her squares. I think this will be make a very colorful block ghan and am currently planning on joining and edging it with the sage green you see on the left side of the photo. This ghan will be made from 20 squares, while the previous ghan using her squares took 18.

Once again Rose Marie, many thanks for your squares. And special thanks to my Darling Daughter who gifted me the pretty sage green yarn that I'll use to assemble this ghan. I'll keep you posted as it progresses.

Accepting squares for the Give a Square Program during the months of November and December.

2010
Scarves 305
Hats 565
Mittens 142
Socks 80
Slippers 15
Ghans 5
Squares 115

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!

Here's a Hat, What a Hat

If you're as old as me, you might remember a song from The Mickey Mouse Club...Here's a hat, what a hat, you're an honorary musketeer. That song, those lyrics popped into my head as I was posting this picture of the 10 fabulous hats from our friend Sandie in Florida (remember we have multiple Sandie's, Sandy's). These hats are nice and heavy, so will be warm for our homeless folks. She's used 2 strands of yarn together (I believe) and loomed this hats. Very nicely made. Many thanks Sandie for your on going support and this thoughtful donation.
2010
Scarves 305
Hats 565+10=575
Mittens 142
Socks 80
Slippers 15
Ghans 5
Squares 115

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!

Give a Square

A nice blue knitted square from Jessica. Who can't use a blue square. Blue will be easy to incorporate with ghans as I continue to design ghans for our folks at Faith Mission. In fact, I've already begun thinking about this blue square with what I've already got on hand........though I might change my mind as other squares come in from our Give a Square program.

Thank you Jessica for your thoughtful donation.

2010
Scarves 305
Hats 565
Mittens 142
Socks 80
Slippers 15
Ghans 5
Squares 114+1=115

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 then just a square

Moving along with the next phase of the burgundy and blue knitted blocks from Rose Marie. Once I finished the first section with the joining and blue edge, I determined I'll not have enough of the navy to do the whole ghan with blue edge; so plan B is that the navy will be used to join, the navy will be used in the 2 inside stripes, and a burgundy will be used for the top and bottom edge. Then a combination of those colors (presumably a row of each), will be used for the final outside edge to pull it all together. Here the burgundy edge facing us looks red, though it is burgundy; a bit lighter then the dark burgundy in the blocks, but I believe with the variegated blocks of blues, burgundy's and tan it will work fine.

Hope everyone is busy knitting and crocheting away, and if you've not yet read about Give a Square, Please do by clicking in the sidebar for details. Thanks.

2010
Scarves 305
Hats 565
Mittens 142
Socks 80
Slippers 15
Ghans 5
Squares 114

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!

Fabulous Scarves to warm the Homeless

Thank you Mary, a fellow Ohioan for these fabulous scarves. I love the way the look. They remind me of Mexican and or Native American style. She tells me she used what's called a knit stitch, though she says it's single crochet. They are bright and cheery, and very nice and heavy so will be warm! Mary is our newest pair of helping hands. Hope to see you here often Mary and keep up the good work. Your thoughtful donation is very much appreciated.

2010
Scarves 299+6=305
Hats 565
Mittens 142
Socks 80
Slippers 15
Ghans 5
Squares 114

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 Corner to Corner, Color Busting Afghan

Busting stash, one color at a time. First Pink, then green, and done now with blue. Checking stash to see what's next. Chipping away here on this traditional style corner to corner garter stitch knitted ghan for Faith Mission. Using up lots of odd balls with hues of each color. There will be no right or wrong side to this ghan, as I'm changing when the yarn runs out. Currently, I believe it will be 4th colors. Must check stash to see what color comes after the blue. Stay tuned.

2010
Scarves 299
Hats 565
Mittens 142
Socks 80
Slippers 15
Ghans 5
Squares 114

Continuing to work on the squares of the red and burgundy ghan as well. Remember November and December are Give a Square Months.

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!

Congratulations on a Personal Challenge that Helps Others!

HATS, Hats, HATS and more. Count them if you can. 40 fabulous hearts of various sizes and colors crocheted by Yarn Yokel, someone I've gotten to know from The Hive. Congratulations Yarn Yokel (Jason) for completing your wonderful personal challenge. He challenged himself to make 40 hats. This is wonderful way for a win win situation. He wins because he's set and accomplished a goal. A fabulous goal at that, one all about helping others. The 2nd part of the win win is the 40 people who will receive his hats and be warmed by the thoughtfulness it took to make them as well as the yarn that's keeping them warmer.
Had to show you this hat close up, look at the swirl! I've got to find out how he made that. I really love it, so fun, so interesting and so unique. Awesome!

Many thanks Yarn Yokel for your thoughtful donation.

2010
Scarves 299
Hats 525+40=565
Mittens 142
Socks 80
Slippers 15
Ghans 5
Squares 114

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!

Clapping for Mittens!

Clapping wildly, more lovely mittens. Look at all the wonderful sizes and different colors. These fabulous mittens are knitted by Dorothy in Wisc. Dorothy participates in Bev's Charity Challenge. She's also one of the winners of The Mitten Challenge, The Mitten Throw Down! You can certainly see why. Many thanks Dorothy for your thoughtful donation. 7 hats, 1 scarf, and 30 pairs of mittens.
Wanted you to see this cute design. Look how she made the thumb, the edge of the cuff, and tip of the hand in a coordinating color. Shows up so nicely like that. Very cute.
One of the wee pairs for a little tyke, aren't these adorable! Once again let me say how thrilled I am with the amount of participation we had with the mitten challenge. What a great idea, Beth. Thank You Beth for the idea, and thank you to all who participated.

2010
Scarves 298+1=299
Hats 518+7=525
Mittens 112+30=142
Socks 80
Slippers 15
Ghans 5
Squares 114

Be sure and read about 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!

Squares Make a BIG Difference

Thank you Judy for these fun, and very pretty granny squares. I love the pattern you used. Is it one you made up, or is it an official granny square pattern? These are fabulous, so nicely crocheted. Thank you for such a nice job with working in those tails when you changed colors. I'm anxious to add these to others I have on hand and get busy designing another ghan. Judy is another pair of helping hands we're thrilled to have. She's a fellow Ohioan too...Waving to you Judy.

Am currently working on 2 ghans, have a 3rd designed and ready to be joined, but will start putting on my thinking cap to see where and how to use these marvelous squares. To date, we've made 5 afghans, 2 went to our friends in Boston for their homeless project Pine Street Inn, and 3 went to our local homeless housing for homeless and abused mothers and children, Faith Mission.

Thank you all for your continued support, your hard work, and your open and caring hearts. Keep up the good work.

2010
Scarves 298
Hats 518
Mittens 112
Socks 80
Slippers 15
Ghans 5
Squares 132+8=140

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 of homeless, a Very Important Necessity

Look at these fabulous knitted hats. They are sooooooooo soft, and such pretty colors too. Thank you Louise-- 2 little girls will be thrilled to have those darling multi-colored hats to keep warm, and 2 boys likewise with the 2 blue ones. Very nice indeed.

These hats are so nice and stretchy, more so then some I've knitted, am wondering is it because of the yarn you used Louise...or perhaps because you used a smaller needle? Very very nice.

Welcome to our group Louise, we help people one stitch at a time. We're happy to have you join us as the newest pair of helping hands.

Thank you for your thoughtful donation.

Tell someone about Give a Square, post our badge on your blog, help us spread the word.

2010
Scarves 298
Hats 514+4=518
Mittens 112
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!

Mittens and More from Jean

Jean, one of our winners of The Mitten Contest, The Mitten Throw down crocheted wonderful mittens of many sizes and and colors using Beth's pattern. She extended some so the cuff is nice and long, and in some cases she turned up a cuff, and in other cases she added nice trims. Click to see all the wonderful items she donated. 35 total pair of mittens, 2 hats, 2 hats and matching mittens, a scarf, a hat and matching scarf, a hat and gator set with buttons. Fabulous. Thank you Jean for your thoughtful and wonderful donation. Everything is so very much appreciated.
Tried to get a close up here where you can some of the mittens she trimmed and made a rolled cuff.
Oophs almost forgot to show you these 5 pairs. These are wool, and you can see the blue multi-colored pair have been felted. Also hope you can see how she added color by making the thumbs in some of the mittens a different color. So very creative! Many thanks Jean

2010
Scarves 296+2=298
Hats 508+6=514
Mittens 77+35=112
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!

Mittens

Though Mitten Month, Mitten Challenge, The Mitten Throw Down are over, I'm still posting pictures from mittens received during that time. Thank you Sandie for this pair of crocheted mittens. Sandie and I sometimes like to put our brains together on projects and decided we'd do that with this pair of mittens Sandie starting using Beth's pattern, and I snugged them up with rows of decreasing single crochets then add a single crochet chain woven around the cuff and tied in a bow. Just a wee bit different. Though it did make them girly, lol

Thanks Sandie for your ongoing support, it's always appreciated.

2010
Scarves 296
Hats 508
Mittens 76+1=77
Socks 80
Slippers 15
Ghans 5
Squares 132

During November and December I'm highlighting Give a Square, so we can make ghans for those at The Mission.



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!