Matching Sets To Aid Ohio's Homeless are Donated

Thank you Sherry K from Ohio for this fabulous donation of 3 matching scarves and hats. I've specifically laid out the hats differently to show you the versatility in this style hat. The black hat lower right is fully open....it might look long to you; but for larger heads this is nice and if someone wants to really pull it down there's enough to do so.

Notice the blue variegated one is the same style/patterned hat but the brim is rolled 1 time. The brim helps the hat fit a slightly smaller head while at the same time provides double thickness over the ears.

Look top left and you'll see the pink hat which opened is longer then the black hat and can be rolled twice for a nice thick wide brim. Again the thicker brim over ears can be additionally warmth, and if the hat is slightly too large rolling the brim the brim can help to make it fit.

Sherry I'd love to add this pattern to our pattern area here on the blog, if you're able to share with us.

2011 Donations:

Scarves 320+3=323
Hats 641+3=644
Mitts 137
Socks 124
Squares 454
Rain Ponchos 80
Cotton Washcloths 309
Sweaters/Poncho's 7
Slippers 86
Afghans 33 (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 or yarn.

*Did you read the helpful hints and guidelines about color and size? If not please do, scroll to 10-9-11

Donations in que from: Liz, Paula K, Sandy, Suzanne W, Nikki, Carol, Frank, Jenn, Jeanette J, Cheryl, AnneMarie, Sandy

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!

Cute Cute Crocheted Hats

Our Dear Friend Bunny has done it again, look at these cute little (10) hats. These crocheted hats should keep 10 kids/teens warm and looking GOOD! One hat has a matching scarf too. Thank you Bunny for your thoughtful donation and your on going support. Both are greatly appreciated.

2011 Donations:

Scarves 319+1=320
Hats 631+10=641
Mitts 137
Socks 124
Squares 454
Rain Ponchos 80
Cotton Washcloths 309
Sweaters/Poncho's 7
Slippers 86
Afghans 33 (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 or yarn.

TIP, please avoid open, airy, lacy stitches. If you can see your hand through the stitches, or poke your finger through the stitches, they're not as warm as they could be

**Did you see who won the yarn from donating scarves? Scroll back to October 8th's post.
***Did you notice the newest section to help identify unidentified donations?
****People have asked about sizing and colors............read the previous post for some helpful information on those topics.

Check the map, we're up to 66% with donations from 33 states. Spent more time going through the lists and only a few who donate who have blogs are listed without the states they represent...please sing out and let us know what state your from:
Angela, Rebecca, Ghost, Krystine, Melanie, Peggy, and Jason.

Donations in que from: Sherry K, Liz, Paula K, Sandy, Suzanne W, Nikki, Carol, Frank, Jenn, Jeanette J, Cheryl, AnneMarie, Sandy


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!

Blending in, Color and Size for Homeless

Something to think about. AND winner announced yesterday, did you read who?

When you knit or crochet for children bright fun, funky and cheerful colors work well. Kids come in a variety of sizes so hats and scarves can be varied size wise. Let's avoid white, dirt seems to find them, lol. Let's avoid scarves for safety reasons for real young kids-- younger then kindergarten age. We supply 2 free clinics, and The Homeless Families Foundation, and Holy Family, and several schools with kid appropriate items. Some children though are large, I've seen some the size of my 6 foot husband so we also need larger items, and solid colors work well for teens (particularly males).
Hat sizing does vary, but this may help you. Hats should measure 1 to 1 1/2 inches less then the head size. Some information borrowed from Bev's Blog.
Toddler head 18-20 inches length of hat - top to bottom 8 inches Child head 19-20 1/2 inches length of hat - top to bottom 8 1/2 inches Pre-Teen & Teen 20 1/2-22 inches length of hat 9-10 inches
*****remember to measure without stretching the hat, and the length measurement does NOT include what portion of the brim you'll be rolling up*****

Ladies like pretty, soft and warm. Let's avoid open, airy, lacy patterns. General rule if you can see your hand through the item, and or poke your finger through the item, it's probably not as warm as it should be. We supply items for ladies through the 2 free clinics, through The Homeless Families Foundation, Through Holy Family, and through Nancy's Place (Faith Mission). I like to make scarves for women at least 5 inches wide and at least 5 feet long.
Adult Female 21 1/2-22 1/2 inches length of hat 11 inches

Men who live outdoors, our Bridge Folks need large, preferably solid and dark colors for their hats and scarves. Dark or solid colors may not be as pleasing to the eyes when we knit and crochet; but they are more serviceable for people living outdoors. Obviously dark colors don't show the dirt as much, and dark colors can be safer. Wearing solid dark colors helps the homeless blend in, helps them call less attention to themselves which makes them safer. It helps them not be a target for the police who do harass them, it helps them not be a target to other homeless who might be inclined to steal a warm item that stands out and catches their eye. I like to make my scarves for men at least 6 feet long and around 7-8 inches wide.
Adult Male 23-24 inches length of hat 11 1/2 inches

**Have you noticed a new section has been added for unidentified donations here on the blog?**

TIP....avoid white please with your donations

October is mitten month

I've added November's focus to the working calendar, though details will follow. It will be The Jack Otis Memorial Month, it's a personal picture of homelessness and despair


2011 Donations:

Scarves 319
Hats 631
Mitts 137
Socks 124
Squares 454
Rain Ponchos 80
Cotton Washcloths 309
Sweaters/Poncho's 7
Slippers 86
Afghans 33 (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 or yarn.

Donations in que from: Bunny, Sherry K, Liz, Paula K, Sandy, Suzanne W, Nikki, Carol, Frank, Jenn, Jeanette J, Cheryl, AnneMarie, Sandy

**Enjoyed visiting everyone's blog this am. Have you noticed the additional list here on the blog, one for bloggers, one for non bloggers, and now one for those with Facebook, Rav, Ville, profiles 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!

The Winner Is !!!!!!!!!!!!

**winner was chosen old school, small paper torn from envelope, thus the blue**

We've had several fun and productive contest here on Bridge and Beyond. Always the purpose is to have fun, to increase blog visits, to increase items being donating and to give away yarn and other goodies. We had a mitten contest, a comment contest, and now a scarf contest.

This scarf contest ran from Sept 8th to October 8th. The purpose was to beef up numbers for adults scarves, as I thought those numbers were a bit low, and because we get far more scarves for kids/teens then we do adults. I added a qualifier that the scarves should be at least 5 inches wide and 5 feet long, though I think I stretched that a bit with the list of entrants.

Thank you to all who participated: AnneMarie, Nancy, Denise, Gail B, Paula K, Jenn S, Bunny, RoseMarie, Suzy D, Liz, and Suzanne W.

Our winner is Gail B. Many thanks and congrats Gail. Your donations have all been appreciated. Gail hails from the state of Virginia and has been donating hats, scarves, squares, and cotton washclothis since April of 2010. I have 7 posts here on the blog tagged with Gail B, with the possibility of 8....Gail, is this you? Click Here please. If this is Gail B, she's been donating since Feb of 2010. Gail has donated 41 scarves, 12 hats, 14 cotton washcloths, and 25 squares for our homeless and those in need. Did you know you can click on her name in the tag section of this post (bottom of the post), and be taken to all other posts where she is tagged? Take time and have a look back to see all the goodies she's made and donated. You can do this anytime folks, click on anyone's name in the tag area.

Have had a round of anonymous comments of late so wanted to post a little reminder to you all. You do NOT need to be a blogger to leave a comment. Simply click the drop down box that says name and url and leave the url portion blank. Please use this option so we know who you are vs anonymous. Plus, many anonymous comments end up in the spam folder.

I'll be reviewing my stash, as well as lots of odds and ends that have been donated to get a box ready, Gail send me your snail ady so I can put your winning yarn in the mail next week. Remember Monday is a holiday, so it will hopefully go out on Tuesday.

CONGRATS AGAIN GAIL, AND MANY THANKS


TIP....avoid using white when possible, and non washable wool and suede fibers please with your donations

2011 Donations:

Scarves 319
Hats 631
Mitts 137
Socks 124
Squares 454
Rain Ponchos 80
Cotton Washcloths 309
Sweaters/Poncho's 7
Slippers 86
Afghans 33 (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 or yarn.

Donations in que from: Bunny, Sherry K, Liz, Paula K, Sandy, Suzanne W, Nikki, Carol, Frank, Jenn, Jeanette J, Cheryl, AnneMarie, Sandy

October is mitten month
I've added November's focus to the working calendar, though details will follow. It will be The Jack Otis Memorial Month, it's a personal picture of homelessness and despair

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!

Variety is the spice of Life

Variety is the spice of Life popped right into my head when I opened this box of wonderful goodies from our friend Suzy. Look at the variety of hat sizes and styles (17). I believe some are knitting on a loom (the red and gray ones top center?) some are crocheted top down in the round, one is knitted intarsia (black with design in the center). The scarf (2)with patches, nice and big, bright and cherry, solid stitches so it's good and warm. And a pair of mittens. Awesome work Suzi, thanks so much for your thoughtful donation. Keep up the good work.

**Speaking about Scarves, Will recheck the blog posts for the last month against my list (Sept 8th-through today), to see who's scarves qualify and post winner tomorrow. (5 inches wide and feet long qualify). Trying for more adult sized scarves (and teen), as we seem to get more for the younger set.

**Have you noticed a new section has been added for unidentified donations here on the blog?**

TIP....avoid white please with your donations

2011 Donations:

Scarves 317+2=319
Hats 614+17=631
Mitts 136+1=137
Socks 124
Squares 454
Rain Ponchos 80
Cotton Washcloths 309
Sweaters/Poncho's 7
Slippers 86
Afghans 33 (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 or yarn.

Donations in que from: Bunny, Sherry K, Liz, Paula K, Sandy, Suzanne W, Nikki, Carol, Frank, Jenn, Jeanette J, Cheryl, AnneMarie, Sandy

October is mitten month
I've added November's focus to the working calendar, though details will follow. It will be The Jack Otis Memorial Month, it's a personal picture of homelessness and despair

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!

Scarves, Mufflers a rose by any other name

**Would the unknown knitters from Seattle Washington from this POST, PLEASE make contact**

Thank you Gail B! When I was a kid used to hear people call scarves mufflers.......regardless of what you call them, they are awesome. 9 scarves and 2 hats from Gail's hook, so nicely done. Nice soft yarn too!

Thank you for your ongoing support Gail and keep up the good work, Please!

**Speaking about Scarves, just 2 more days to get your scarves counted for the drawing for a box of yarn. Scarves at least 5 inches wide and feet long qualify. Trying for more adult sized scarves (and teen).

2011 Donations:

Scarves 308+9=317
Hats 612+2=614
Mitts 136
Socks 124
Squares 454
Rain Ponchos 80
Cotton Washcloths 309
Sweaters/Poncho's 7
Slippers 86
Afghans 33 (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 or yarn.

October is mitten month

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!

A 5 Pound Donation

**Would the unknown knitters from Seattle Washington from this POST, AND Idaho from this post PLEASE make contact**

5 pounds of green yarn donated by Laurie (luvs2sing on Rav) awhile back. This picture along with Laurie's donation posted yesterday were here on the computer in a wrong file and I just found them. Argh...

This yarn has already been put to use in 2 ways, a scarf in the works for the men under the Bridge and edging squares for a ghan for Project Welcome Home. I love having dark solid colors for the men folk for hats and scarves and use lots of darker colors when edging and joining ghans. Thank you Laurie for your thoughtful donation. Sorry the picture got lost and the post delayed.

2011 Donations:

Scarves 308
Hats 612
Mitts 136
Socks 124
Squares 454
Rain Ponchos 80
Cotton Washcloths 309
Sweaters/Poncho's 7
Slippers 86
Afghans 33 (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 or yarn.

October is mitten month

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!

Lost Picture of a Warm Donation

**Would the unknown knitters from Seattle Washington from this POST, AND Idaho from this post PLEASE make contact**I now have the 2nd one Identified...it's Nola who's donated before. Not sure why I thought it was Idaho...it's Colorado. Thanks Nola for singing out.

Beth a local knitter I got to meet donated yarn awhile back HERE. She also donated above scarves and hat. Somehow this picture was in the wrong file on my computer and didn't get posted with her yarn donation. My apologies Beth for missing this and thank you again for your thoughtful donation. All is so very much appreciated.

2011 Donations:

Scarves 304+4=308
Hats 611+1=612
Mitts 136
Socks 124
Squares 454
Rain Ponchos 80
Cotton Washcloths 309
Sweaters/Poncho's 7
Slippers 86
Afghans 33 (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, and the head bands.

MITTENS........Mittens is our October's focus, and we never get enough of those. I know they're not the easiest things to make. We do have a few patterns posted folks. As you think about making mittens and or reviewing patterns...think about adding length to the cuff; helps make them warmer. Thanks!

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!

Traveling Blanket Idea and Poll Results

Thanks to the 30 readers for voting in the recent poll. A member on Ravelry in The Oddballs asked if people might want to do the traveling/continuous blankets here. I was unsure how you all felt. Each blanket would get passed around alot before being finished. Postage is an issue as it's mailed repeatedly.

The results indicated 14 people would be interested if it weren't for the postage and that was the largest group for a 56%. The second largest group of 8 voters (26%) felt it wasn't a good idea, too much to keep track of. There were 5 people for knitting and 5 for crocheting who liked the idea each of those groups were 16%. The final group, 3 people (10%) liked the idea feeling it would feel like they were more involved vs making squares.

James, passed his thoughts along having been involved in this type of venture in the past. He pointed out some of the pitfalls of keeping tracking, the possible need to bug people to keep it moving. People sign on with wonderful intentions, but sometimes when it's their turn they're swamped and it's laid aside for an extended period of time. I've had some good and some bad experiences with this type of traveling blanket too.

If I add the 5 knitters and 5 crocheters and 3 who thought they'd feel more involved together I get 13 interested people (though I don't know whom they are). Since the 13 is less than half those that votes (somewhere around 43%), I believe for now we'll pass on this idea and continue collecting squares (at the designated times) that I'll join to make a ghan. Perhaps down the road, we'll revisit this idea. Thank you Panther for the idea.

Always up to explore something new, so please.........everyone feel free to sing out if you have a idea for Bridge and Beyond.

2011 Donations:

Scarves 304
Hats 611
Mitts 136
Socks 124
Squares 454
Rain Ponchos 80
Cotton Washcloths 309
Sweaters/Poncho's 7
Slippers 86
Afghans 33 (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, and the head bands.


TIP, please avoid white when possible, it shows the dirt so easily and many of our recipients don't have the ability to launder their hats, scarves, mittens, etc.

**Would the unknown knitter in Seattle Washington from this POST, Please make contact so I know who you are for record keeping AND the unknown knitter from Idaho from this post too please and thanks**

MITTENS........Mittens will be October's focus, and we never get enough of those. I know they're not the easiest things to make. We do have a few patterns posted folks. As you think about making mittens and or reviewing patterns...think about adding length to the cuff; helps make them warmer. Thanks!

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!

This is not for The Red Hat Ladies

**Tomorrow's post will discuss the poll results**

Took this photo before tucking in my last end. Straight knitting except for the details on the ends. I used Plymouth Encore Washable Wool and love the feel of this. This scarf has a rather sorted past, lol. It couldn't decide what it was going to be. First it was going be solid red (I was going to donate it to The Red Scarf Project), but ran out of yarn. Had had the red for eons and eons and didn't even attempt matching it. Grabbed the purple I had on hand for fun and decided I loved the fun and funky half and half scarf. In fact, I might make a few more this way. Now it looks like it should go to someone in The Red Hat Society; but it's close to 7 inches wide, it's washable wool and therefore very warm, and it's 6 foot long so will keep someone warm.....went in the last bag for a family shelter along with many of your wonderful items.

2011 Donations:

Scarves 303+1=304
Hats 611
Mitts 136
Socks 124
Squares 454
Rain Ponchos 80
Cotton Washcloths 309
Sweaters/Poncho's 7
Slippers 86
Afghans 33 (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, and the head bands.

Please remember to leave tails when changing yarn/colors etc of several inches and work those ends in, DO NOT TIE A KNOT A CUT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE KNOT.

**Would the unknown knitter in Seattle Washington from this POST, Please make contact so I know who you are for record keeping AND the unknown knitter from Idaho from this post too please and thanks**

MITTENS........Mittens will be October's focus, and we never get enough of those. I know they're not the easiest things to make. We do have a few patterns posted folks. As you think about making mittens and or reviewing patterns...think about adding length to the cuff; helps make them warmer. Thanks!

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!

Idaho oophs No Colorado! Donation

This donation of 3 small scarves, and 6 small hats for the younger set came awhile back. I've been searching trying to identify the Idaho knitter with no success through old emails, Ravelry, and Facebook. Believe the sizing will work for preschool age children so this thoughtful donation will go with the next delivery to The Homeless Families Foundation, or one of the free clinics we supply with donations of warm items.

Though I do have a last name on the envelope these were mailed in, often people don't use their real names as part of their email ady, so I'm at a loss to easily find who this knitter is. With our on line personalities we often use nick names on forums that don't match emails, that don't match our real names, so please folks remember to include a note letting me know who you are with your donations.

2011 Donations:

Scarves 300+3=303
Hats 605+6=611
Mitts 136
Socks 124
Squares 454
Rain Ponchos 80
Cotton Washcloths 309
Sweaters/Poncho's 7
Slippers 86
Afghans 33 (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, and the head bands.

Please remember to leave tails when changing yarn/colors etc of several inches and work those ends in, DO NOT TIE A KNOT A CUT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE KNOT.

**Would the unknown knitter in Seattle Washington who from this POST, Please make contact so I know who you are for record keeping** Happy to say this one mystery has been solved. It's not Idaho, but Colorado and it's Nola who's on our list. Thanks for solving the mystery!

MITTENS........Mittens will be October's focus, and we never get enough of those. I know they're not the easiest things to make. We do have a few patterns posted folks. As you think about making mittens and or reviewing patterns...think about adding length to the cuff; helps make them warmer. Thanks!

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!

James Donated all This Jazz!

Thank you James for all this jazz. James has been a long time supporter and I always look forward to the jazz that comes off his knitting needles. Above we have quite a variety pack of donated lovelies, hats, mittens, socks, washcloth, neckwarmer, Baclava...and a darling sweater and shirt for a little one.

You may remember if you were with us this time last year, the James supplied us with a nice knitted pattern for making mitttens. It's in the pattern section of the blog. Click on the tab marked patterns on the top of the blog.

Thank you James, keep up the good work!

2011 Donations:

Scarves 300
Hats 602+3=605
Mitts 133+3=136
Socks 121+3=124
Squares 454
Rain Ponchos 80
Cotton Washcloths 308+1=309
Sweaters/Poncho's 6+1=7
Slippers 86
Afghans 33 (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, and the head bands.

Helpful hint: when making slippers, please use double yarn, or a nice tight stitch for more durability.

**Would the unknown knitter in Seattle Washington who from this POST, Please make contact so I know who you are for record keeping**

I launched a program called Welcome Home a couple of days ago. This is in connection our recent mission expansion that includes The Homeless Families Foundation in the list of those we help. If you've not yet read the post about The Foundation, please do, HERE.

MITTENS........Mittens will be October's focus, and we never get enough of those. I know they're not the easiest things to make. We do have a few patterns posted folks. As you think about making mittens and or reviewing patterns...think about adding length to the cuff; helps make them warmer. Thanks!

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!

Help from New York for Ohio's Homeless

Thank you AnneMarie. AnneMarie has helped our Ohio Homeless again with this lovely donation of hand crocheted hats and scarves. She's donated 6 matches sets of hats and scarves, 2 additional hats, and wonderful warm and much needed socks! Many thanks AnneMarie, your skilled hands and on going support are very much appreciated. Please keep up the good work!

2011 Donations:

Scarves 294+6=300
Hats 594+8=602
Mitts 133
Socks 115+6=121
Squares 454
Rain Ponchos 80
Cotton Washcloths 308
Sweaters/Poncho's 6
Slippers 86
Afghans 33 (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, and the head bands.

I launched a program called Welcome Home a couple of days ago. This is in connection our recent mission expansion that includes The Homeless Families Foundation in the list of those we help. If you've not yet read the post about The Foundation, please do, HERE.

MITTENS........Mittens will be October's focus, and we never get enough of those. I know they're not the easiest things to make. We do have a few patterns posted folks. As you think about making mittens and or reviewing patterns...think about adding length to the cuff; helps make them warmer. Thanks!

Helpful hint: when making slippers, please use double yarn, or a nice tight stitch for more durability.

**Unknown knitter in Seattle Washington, please scroll to previous post. Please make contact so I know who you are for record keeping**

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!

Awesome Knitted Hats donated by Unknown

These are fabulous hats, super soft, nice and stretching, warm and extremely well made, knitted hats. They come from an unknown knitter in Seattle, Washington. There was no note with the hats and no last name on return label, just Seattle, Washington. Yoo Whoooo, they are lovely, and very much appreciated. Please sing out so we know who you are.

Folks, if you wish to be anonymous with your donation; no problem but please for record keeping please include your name and email with your donations and state you'd like to be anonymous and I'll list it that way. When I get things unidentified I don't know if it's an over-site, or anonymous, and I'm not able to email someone to let them know their package arrived.

Many thanks for your thoughtful donation.

2011 Donations:

Scarves 294
Hats 592+2=594
Mitts 133
Socks 115
Squares 454
Rain Ponchos 80
Cotton Washcloths 308
Sweaters/Poncho's 6
Slippers 86
Afghans 33 (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, and the head bands.

I launched a program called Welcome Home a couple of days ago. This is in connection our recent mission expansion that includes The Homeless Families Foundation in the list of those we help. If you've not yet read the post about The Foundation, please do, HERE.

**A Few more days in September for our scarf focus, I'll go back and recheck to see if we have anyone for the drawing for the scarf contest**

MITTENS........Mittens will be October's focus, and we never get enough of those. I know they're not the easiest things to make. We do have a few patterns posted folks. As you think about making mittens and or reviewing patterns...think about adding length to the cuff; helps make them warmer. Thanks!

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!

Fleece Scarves Donated

Thank you Nancy (pinnut on RAV) for your thoughtful donation of 7 fleece scarves. There are soft and will help keep folks warm. Had to smile as I arranged these to photograph them, Scarlet and Gray being Buckeye Colors and all. Wondered if you knew that?

2011 Donations:

Scarves 287+7=294
Hats 592
Mitts 133
Socks 115
Squares 454
Rain Ponchos 80
Cotton Washcloths 308
Sweaters/Poncho's 6
Slippers 86
Afghans 33 (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, and the head bands.

I launched a program called Welcome Home a couple of days ago. This is in connection our recent mission expansion that includes The Homeless Families Foundation in the list of those we help. If you've not yet read the post about The Foundation, please do, 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!

Hope brings Possibilities

PLEASE VOICE YOUR OPINION IN POLL TOP RIGHT SIDEBAR
The front of a lovely Thank You Card. The word HOPE, seems to very appropriate. When you help the homeless, you provide Hope for a better future. When you knit, crochet, loom and donate the HOPE you provide brings so many possibilities closer.
Karie from The Homeless Families Foundation sent this lovely note to you all.

We often don't receive thank you's, it's often not possible when we donate, and I know that's not the reason you good people do what you do. Even so, I'm happy to share with this you all.

**September is Scarf Month, and we're having another contest.
Running til October 8th (1 month), I'll toss names into a hat for everyone who donates a scarf for a teen or adult...male or female. Feeling like we need to bump those numbers a bit and will draw the winning name from the hat and send out another box of yarn. Contests are fun. We've had several fun, productive, and successful contests. Every scarf donated for a teen or adult (at least 5 inches wide and 5 feet or longer please), will qualify. **

2011 Donations:

Scarves 287
Hats 592
Mitts 133
Socks 115
Squares 454
Rain Ponchos 80
Cotton Washcloths 308
Sweaters/Poncho's 6
Slippers 86
Afghans 33 (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, and the head bands.

I launched a program called Welcome Home a couple of days ago. This is in connection our recent mission expansion that includes The Homeless Families Foundation in the list of those we help. If you've not yet read the post about The Foundation, please do, 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!

500 Blog Posts!

PLEASE VOICE YOUR OPINION IN THE POLL TOP RIGHT SIDEBAR

Please enjoy this beautiful picture of Pink Mallows from my backyard to as we celebrate post number 500! Though this picture is several months old, flowers now being gone with the weather turning cold; I wanted to share it with you as a way to say THANK YOU! 500 blog posts represents how much you all have done, how much you've knitted, how much you've crocheted, and how much you've loom. It represents how much you all have donated to those less fortunate. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Let's keep up the good work with our skilled hands, spreading word about the need. You are all AWESOME!

Have you read the important blog updates..........click HERE

Have you read about the increase in our mission .......click HERE

Have you read about the shocking fact about homelessness.......click HERE

Have you read about " Operation Welcome Home".....click 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!

Beautiful Bounty from Bunny

Many thanks Bunny (Lynda) for donating your beautiful bounty. Bunny's work is always fabulous, soft, and so well made. 6 Knitted hats, 2 scarves (one is a keyhole scarf), hand warmers, and personal care items. Bunny has been one of our longest running supporters here which is so greatly appreciated. Keep up the good work, and MANY THANKS for your on going support.

This is post #499.......can you believe we're that close to hitting 500 posts here on this blog! Very cool, each of those post represents thoughtful donations of knitting, crocheting, looming etc. Thank you all.

**September is Scarf Month, and we're having another contest.
Running til October 8th (1 month), I'll toss names into a hat for everyone who donates a scarf for a teen or adult...male or female. Feeling like we need to bump those numbers a bit and will draw the winning name from the hat and send out another box of yarn. Contests are fun. We've had several fun, productive, and successful contests. Every scarf donated for a teen or adult (at least 5 inches wide and 5 feet or longer please), will qualify. **

2011 Donations:

Scarves 289+2=291
Hats 591+1=592
Mitts 133
Socks 115
Squares 454
Rain Ponchos 80
Cotton Washcloths 308
Sweaters/Poncho's 6
Slippers 87
Afghans 33 (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, and the head bands.

I launched a program called Welcome Home a couple of days ago. This is in connection our recent mission expansion that includes The Homeless Families Foundation in the list of those we help. If you've not yet read the post about The Foundation, please do, 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!

Can you Quess Who This Donation is From?

For those of you've who've frequented the blog, I'm betting you can quess who this donations from without my telling you! Clues are bright colors, hats trimmed with a coordinating color, and wait for it......signature button flower decorations! Right you are, it's our friend and fellow crocheter RoseMarie. 4 matching hat and scarf sets the young girls will enjoy, pair of slippers and personal care items. Very nice indeed.

Thank you RoseMarie for your thoughtful donation, and your on going support.

This is post #498.......can you believe we're that close to hitting 500 posts here on this blog! Very cool, each of those post represents thoughtful donations of knitting, crocheting, looming etc. Thank you all.

Have you read about our Welcome Home Program? Click HERE, please

**September is Scarf Month, and we're having another contest.
Running til October 8th (1 month), I'll toss names into a hat for everyone who donates a scarf for a teen or adult...male or female. Feeling like we need to bump those numbers a bit and will draw the winning name from the hat and send out another box of yarn. Contests are fun. We've had several fun, productive, and successful contests. Every scarf donated for a teen or adult (at least 5 inches wide and 5 feet or longer please), will qualify. **

2011 Donations:

Scarves 285+4=289
Hats 587+4=591
Mitts 133
Socks 115
Squares 454
Rain Ponchos 80
Cotton Washcloths 308
Sweaters/Poncho's 6
Slippers 86+1=87
Afghans 33 (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, and the head bands.

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!

Brighter Days Ahead

3 Cotton Washcloths, 4 hats, and 2 neck warmers means brighter days ahead for the folks receiving this donation. Our friend Sally in NJ has done it again with her knitting needles. Look at these warm, soft, darling hats! 4 fewer people will have cold heads.......that's awesome. The cotton washcloths have been sooooooooo well received at the various shelters folks. Seems like a simple thing, but a special, washcloth for you. One that makes your skin feel better. The power of a special shower....truly is more then I can express through words on a blog post.

Thank you Sally for your on going support.

As I type this blog post I realized this is post #497.......can you believe we're that close to hitting 500 posts here on this blog! Very cool, each of those post represents thoughtful donations of knitting, crocheting, looming etc. Thank you all.

**September is Scarf Month, and we're having another contest.
From now until October 8, I'll toss names into a hat for everyone who donates a scarf for a teen or adult...male or female. Feeling like we need to bump those numbers a bit and will draw the winning name from the hat and send out another box of yarn. Contests are fun. We've had several fun, productive, and successful contests. Every scarf donated for a teen or adult (at least 5 inches wide and 5 feet or longer please), will qualify. **

2011 Donations:

Scarves 285
Hats 583+4=587
Mitts 133
Socks 115
Squares 454
Rain Ponchos 80
Cotton Washcloths 305+3=308
Sweaters/Poncho's 6
Slippers 86
Afghans 33 (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, and the head bands.

If you've not yet read the post about The Homeless Families Foundation, please do, HERE.
AND Yesterday, we launched TheWelcome Home Program 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!

Project WELCOME HOME

Operation WELCOME HOME with above picture/badge will be an on going program. It will utilize the squares you all have sent and will send (Give a Square). Afghans will continue to be assembled and donated; just as we have done through our Give a Square Program. Previously we donated to Faith Mission for those living in temporary housing. We will now be switching gears to donate these afghans to Homeless Families Foundation. These afghans will be given as a house warming gift to the families as they move from The Homeless Families Foundation Shelter (temporary housing for 3 months) into "their" home/apt. These afghans will be a true welcome home, and welcome to your new life.

Families receive assistance with education, food, lodging and guidance through out their stay in temporary housing to help with the transition to permanent housing-employment etc.

The next 3 families slated to move from their temporary to permanent housing are:

1. Mom, Dad, and 2 little boys
2. Mom and a teenage daughter
3. Dad and 2 kids (age 2 and 4)

With what we already had ready to go, we've supplied 2 adult ghans, and one ghan suitable for the teenage daughter in family 2. We will continue to try and be informed about a couple of families at a time. Current thinking is once we get rollin and have some extra on hand for them, they will have the ability to select appropriate ghans to go in their house warming package. Until we reach the extra stage, I'll be working towards specific families based on what we have here to assemble.

The volume of squares is still quite good. Therefore I do still need to restrict them to specific months. Our next month for collection here will be December 2011. If however, I start running low on your squares as I get more ghans assembled, I may alter that.

PLEASE read the guidelines for squares in Give a Square before sending your donations. If you have squares that don't meet those guidelines, and or are mailing a box of other goodies here and want to include squares.......please send me a quick email so we can make appropriate arrangements.

**September is Scarf Month, and we're having another contest.
From now until October 8, I'll toss names into a hat for everyone who donates a scarf for a teen or adult...male or female. Feeling like we need to bump those numbers a bit and will draw the winning name from the hat and send out another box of yarn. Contests are fun. We've had several fun, productive, and successful contests. Every scarf donated for a teen or adult (at least 5 inches wide and 5 feet or longer please), will qualify. **

2011 Donations:

Scarves 285
Hats 583
Mitts 133
Socks 115
Squares 454
Rain Ponchos 80
Cotton Washcloths 305
Sweaters/Poncho's 6
Slippers 86
Afghans 33 (2 sent to our friends at Pine Street)

Received unidentified donation from Seattle, Washington. If you know who that is, please make contact. Thanks!

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!

Hats for the Homeless are so Appreciated

Received unidentified donation from Seattle, Washington. If you know who that is, please make contact. Thanks!

Thank you DaMary for your crocheted hat for Ohio's Homeless. It is very much appreciated. Hats are so important. Think how much warmer you are when you wear a hat, and have your ears covered. Think how much better you feel when you head is dry. A hat helps get someone in need from having a wet cold head from snow, ice, and sleet. We're providing hats for men, women, and children; so hats of all sizes are needed and very much appreciated. Warm hats that fit a large man, down to school age children. I'm pleased our hat numbers have been good. Giving us the ability to help several schools, kids and moms in free clinics, men and women living on the street, men and women in shelters, and families living in family shelters too.

Don't over look the importance of knitting, crocheting, or looming 1 hat. The power of ONE is awesome.

A few days ago I posted a rather shocking statistic about 9 years old being the average age of homelessness nationally. If you didn't get a chance to read that post, please do. Click HERE. We have through our last couple of years collected more hats for kids then adults, mittens too. These items for kids have been donated to the shelters and the 2 free clinics and directly to some schools. I wanted to re-state that we have been donating for children's benefit so folks didn't get the impression we were only donating to adults and totally switch gears to only making items for children. To date, the group we collect the least for is adult men.

I will be launching a program called Welcome Home tomorrow, so please keep checking in for the post. This will be tied into our recent mission expansion that includes The Homeless Families Foundation in the list of those we help. If you've not yet read the post about that, please do, HERE.

**the large amounts I stocked piled during the summer months donations have been delivered to Rae for the clinics and Bridge Folks, Lynn for Holy Family, and Karie for The Homeless Families Foundation.** It was wonderful to have such a nice stockpile on hand and be able to beat the weather turning cold. Yesterday it was 43 here for a good portion of the day. Folks, that's only 11 degrees above freezing!! So please keep those hooks and needles busy.

**September is Scarf Month, and we're having another contest.
From now until October 8, I'll toss names into a hat for everyone who donates a scarf for a teen or adult...male or female. Feeling like we need to bump those numbers a bit and will draw the winning name from the hat and send out another box of yarn. Contests are fun. We've had several fun, productive, and successful contests. Every scarf donated for a teen or adult (at least 5 inches wide and 5 feet or longer please), will qualify. **

2011 Donations:

Scarves 285
Hats 582+1=583
Mitts 133
Socks 115
Squares 454
Rain Ponchos 80
Cotton Washcloths 305
Sweaters/Poncho's 6
Slippers 86
Afghans 33 (2 sent to our friends at Pine Street)

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!

Helping Hands Keep Heads warm with Hats for the Homeless

We have some new helping hands. Please wave hello to Jackie M. a friend of DaMary's.

What a nice think, soft and warm hat this is. Awesome colors! Many thanks Jackie for joining in, we appreciate it. Drop us a note in the comment section and let us know if you have a blog, or facebook page and what state you're from. Love to get it added to the blog.

A few days ago I posted a rather shocking statistic about 9 years old being the average age of homelessness nationally. If you didn't get a chance to read that post, please do. Click HERE. We have through our last couple of years collected more hats for kids then adults, mittens too. These items for kids have been donated to the shelters and the 2 free clinics and directly to some schools. I wanted to re-state that we have been donating for children's benefit so folks didn't get the impression we were only donating to adults and totally switch gears to only making items for children. To date, the group we collect the least for is adult men.

I will be launching a program called Welcome Home in the next couple of days, so please keep checking in for the post. This will be tied into our recent mission expansion that includes The Homeless Families Foundation in the list of those we help. If you've not yet read the post about that, please do, HERE.

**the large amounts I stocked piled during the summer months donations have been delivered to Rae for the clinics and Bridge Folks, Lynn for Holy Family, and Karie for The Homeless Families Foundation.** It was wonderful to have such a nice stockpile on hand and be able to beat the weather turning cold. Yesterday it was 43 here for a good portion of the day. Folks, that's only 11 degrees above freezing!! So please keep those hooks and needles busy.

**September is Scarf Month, and we're having another contest.
From now until October 8, I'll toss names into a hat for everyone who donates a scarf for a teen or adult...male or female. Feeling like we need to bump those numbers a bit and will draw the winning name from the hat and send out another box of yarn. Contests are fun. We've had several fun, productive, and successful contests. Every scarf donated for a teen or adult (at least 5 inches wide and 5 feet or longer please), will qualify. **

2011 Donations:

Scarves 285
Hats 581+1=582
Mitts 133
Socks 115
Squares 454
Rain Ponchos 80
Cotton Washcloths 305
Sweaters/Poncho's 6
Slippers 86
Afghans 33 (2 sent to our friends at Pine Street)

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!

Scarves and Scarves

Look at these marvelous scarves from our newest pair of helping hands, Denise F in Louisiana. Denise scarves are all crocheted and are various sizes. The variegated one on the right side of the picture is sized for adults, while the others are various sizes for the kiddo's. Can't you see those 2 pinks ones making a little girl feel special!

Thank you Denise for your thoughtful donation, it's very much appreciated. AND welcome to the group, we're thrilled to have you join us and hope to see you frequently here on The Bridge.

As I type this blog post I realized this is post #493.......can you believe we're that close to hitting 500 posts here on this blog! Very cool, each of those post represents thoughtful donations of knitting, crocheting, looming etc. Thank you all.

**September is Scarf Month, and we're having another contest.
From now until October 8, I'll toss names into a hat for everyone who donates a scarf for a teen or adult...male or female. Feeling like we need to bump those numbers a bit and will draw the winning name from the hat and send out another box of yarn. Contests are fun. We've had several fun, productive, and successful contests. Every scarf donated for a teen or adult (at least 5 inches wide and 5 feet or longer please), will qualify. **

2011 Donations:

Scarves 285
Hats 581
Mitts 133
Socks 115
Squares 454
Rain Ponchos 80
Cotton Washcloths 305
Sweaters/Poncho's 6
Slippers 86
Afghans 33 (2 sent to our friends at Pine Street)

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!