This Time Last Year

The daises are blooming like mad right now in my yard.  Some have gotten so full and big and heavy they're flopping over.  Need to tie them up; but aren't they beautiful?  I love pretty flowers and daisies make me smile.  Hope they do you too.

Wanted to let you all know how we're doing, where we were at this time last year.  Thought you find it perhaps inspiring to keep those hooks and needles flying through out the summer.  Also thought it might help you decide what you wanted to make.

As of today, June 29th here's where we are:
 

ITEM	NOW	LAST YEAR	PLUS/MINUS
Hats	388	451	-63
Scarves	314	252	+62
Socks	224	116	+108
Afghans	31	23	+8
Slippers	153	82	+71
Rain Ponchos	203	198	+5
Mittens	77	252	-175
Cotton Cloths	445	369	+76

 
You can see from the chart the only items we've knitted, crocheted and donated less of todate are Hats and Mittens.  I'm pleased to see, and hope you are too that we've knitted, crocheted and donated more of all other items!!  Awesome work folks, Thank You.



How fitting is it that we're moving from June to July's focus...and you guessed it the focus is mittens!  Mittens will be the focus for the next 2 months July and in August we'll double up with the focus being has and mittens.  Some time back we lost a page here when blogger was having some issues.  Sadly, that means we lost all our good information and patterns for mittens.  Please let me know what patterns you all use.  Currently we have only one pattern posted, a crochet one that is basic double crochets.  We need some reliable patterns to post folks.  Does anyone have a 2 needle knitted pattern they can share?

Things to remember when making mittens....no white, in fact avoid all light colors.  Mittens get dirty.  Mittens must be paired and tagged with size.  No open stitches, even with double crochet they're can be sometimes too much openness if you're not one that crochets tightly.  Please consider dropping down a hook size if you have loose tension so the mitt will be warmer. 



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.

The Reasons Why We Knit and Crochet

Another graphic I saw on Facebook recently I thought I'd share.  Certainly to keep calm and not kill people/ keep sane and not go crazy etc is something we all hear and see over and over again.  Though I had to laugh about the itchy wool !

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
Slippers: 150
Rain Ponchos: 203
Mittens: 77
Cotton Wash Clothes: 435
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.