Hand Delivered Afghan

You often hear people say, "Oh...I don't do Facebook". I was one of those who thought it was primarily geared towards the younger generation. Then one day maybe a year ago? I decided to join. I started out slowly, but before long was making all kinds of connections. First I was connecting with my old high school classmates which was lots of fun; then some folks I know from knitting and crocheting groups and on and on. Through this social network of growth, I was able to connect with most folks interested in knitting and crocheting to help others. Patty S. from Ohio is one of those connections. One day she was to be in town on business and we were able to get together. What fun, meeting someone face to face that I'd communicated with on line through Facebook.

The above orange afghan is another donation Patty S from Ohio made in person. She was in town only briefly to visit, but carved out time enough to drop this afghan for Faith Mission off at my house! Such fun, meeting people face to face and at the same time being able to help others.

Thanks Patty for your ongoing support and help. It's appreciated.

Sooo, the moral is, Facebook is not just for the younger generation. It's not just a place to play games. It's a great place to make connections.

2011
Scarves 134+7=141
Hats 215
Mittens (gloves)56
Socks 56
Slippers 26
Ghans 11+1=12
Squares 179
Sweaters 5

**Reminder to refrain from white and off white when you can, the dirt factor for those without ability to do laundry.**

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!

Ohio's Homeless Love Scarves

Thank you Melisa! Melisa is our newest pair of helping hands, and a fellow Ohioan. Welcome, thrilled to have you join us here. 7 knitted soft scarves will be appreciated by those in need. I love the shade of blue, it reminds of Spring which I keep hoping will arrive.

We work to warm men, women, and children with our knitted and crocheted hats, mittens, scarves, and slippers. Through the efforts of many pairs of helping hands we make a difference in someone's life...each and every day. Thank you ALL!

2011
Scarves 134+7=141
Hats 215
Mittens (gloves)56
Socks 56
Slippers 26
Ghans 11
Squares 179
Sweaters 5

**Often people ask what patterns, stitches etc are best suited for Ohio's cold homeless in need. I generally say no specific pattern; but ask that you refrain from open lacy stitches as they simply aren't warm enough for the long cold Ohio Winters. Open lacy stitches also don't wear well or hold up as long when heavily used. Typically the next question is what's an open lacy stitch. Something you can see through, something you can easily put your fingers through. If you're in doubt that your stitches aren't solid enough, try using a smaller crochet hook or knitting needle size. Smaller hooks and needles make for smaller tighter and warmer hats, mittens, scarves, and slippers. Hope that helps answer some of the questions**

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!

Knitted Hats warm Cold Heads

Eighteen knitted hats from our friend minnisoda (Liz) over on The Ville. Eighteen previously cold heads will now be warmed. These eighteen people will feel better all over knowing someone cared enough to make them warmer.

Thank you Liz for your thoughtful donation.

**Liz, you might quess is from the state of Minnesota which has now been added to the map (please check it out on the bottom of the blog) . Adding Minnesota to our donation map gives us a state count of 28 for a 56% participation. How cool is that folks! Love seeing where everyone is from. Please take a minute and see if you're represented. HOW?
1. Look at the two lists (alphabetical lists) of people who've donated with and without blogs. Make sure your name is there.
2. Is the state you live in listed with your name? If not, please leave a comment so I can update the list and the map.
3. Wouldn't it be awesome to have everyone who's donated listed.

Thank you all for your support by knitting, thank you all for your support by crocheting, thank you all for your support in reading the blog! Keep up the good work.

2011
Scarves 134
Hats 197+18=215
Mittens (gloves)56
Socks 56
Slippers 26
Ghans 11
Squares 179
Sweaters 5

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!

Brrrrrrr it's cold outside for Ohio's Homeless

Thank you Trudy from MD for these warm knitted hats and scarf for Ohio's cold homeless in need. It's plenty cold with a good amount of winter still with us as we look forward to Spring here in Ohio. For homeless, without a roof over their heads-- winter lasts even longer. To those cold with minimal heat living is temporary housing, or those who spend a night here or there in a shelter, warm knitted hats and scarves (and or crocheted) are still very much in need.

Thank you Trudy for your ongoing support, and thoughtful donation.

Today is day 15 of "Sock it to Me". If you've not yet read about this months focus, please do so. If you can help us by adding the badge to your blog, tweeting about it, or linking from Facebook...please and Thanks! The beauty of this months focus is, everyone can help. You don't need to be a knitter. You don't need to be a crocheter. Everyone young, old and in-between can help with socks. So, let's get busy and SOCK IT TO ME and see how many pairs of feet we can warm.

2011
Scarves 134
Hats 197
Mittens (gloves)56
Socks 56
Slippers 26
Ghans 11
Squares 179
Sweaters 5

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!

Rose Garden Afghan for Faith Mission in the Works

Forest Green, Lime Green, Kelly Green, Olive Green, Celery Green, Hot Pink, Light Pink, Dusty Rose, Mauve Pink, and maybe a coral shade of pink make up this ghan in the works for our folks at Faith Mission. Squares ranging in size 5-6-7-8 and 12 inches, rectangles, granny squares, sampler style squares, crocheted squares, and knitted squares are all here. Quite a mix in this one folks.

A good number of these squares are from long ago from folks who's names I don't have, never had. You might remember I've referred to a couple of groups that disbanded and passed along squares and their odds and ends to me, before. Over time, they've been added here and there to various charity projects. Here they're mixed with rectangles from RoseMarie, some pink squares from Karen V and Joy.

The pink and green ghan was design here and has been waiting in the wings. I try to name many of the ghans, and believe with all the pink and green this can appropriately be named, Rose Garden. All the greens represent leaves and stems, and the shades of pink the roses.

Though it's hard to see in the picture the squares are being edged with dark forest green, not black as it looks in the picture. I'm joining in dusty rose. Normally I edge and join with the same color, but thought given the amount of each color I had left in my stash after DD finished Vacation ghan, I'd try this method. Thus far, I think it's working. I'm using the join as you go method on this ghan, though it's not continuous given the huge difference is sizing; this is much more piece meal then it was with Colorful Blocks Ghan.

Hoping Rose Garden will be finished in a few days as works continues on this Reddish Brownish Ghan...that needs a name. Anyone with ideas?

**Reminder folks not to tie a knot and cut yarn when knitting or crocheting. Always leave a tail of several inches when joining new join, and work it into your work. This ensures your item won't come apart. I've had to make several repairs where items have been knotted, cut and are coming apart before I can pass along your thoughtful donations. Thank you**

2011
Scarves 134
Hats 197
Mittens (gloves)56
Socks 56
Slippers 26
Ghans 11
Squares 179
Sweaters 5

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 and hooks from Georgia for Ohio's Homeless

Please help me welcome and thank Diana K. Diana, is I believe our first pair of helping hands from the state of Georgia. Georgia, The Peach Tree State. We're happy to have your helping hands and hope to see you here often at The Bridge. Diana crocheted 3 hats, and 8 scarves for our homeless here in Central Ohio.

2011
Scarves 126+8=134
Hats 194+3=197
Mittens (gloves)56
Socks 56
Slippers 26
Ghans 11
Squares 179
Sweaters 5

This is day 13 of SOCK it to me Month. Hope you're telling all your non knitting and non crocheting friends. This is a perfect project for non yarn people to get involved and help.

Did you know you can print a pamphlet to post at school, at work, or perhaps the bulletin board at your church? It's available by clicking on the tab at the top of the blog. Please help us spread the word. Let's see how many new pairs of helping hands we can get. Remember the more people help, the more people we can help. Men, Women, and Children need us.

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!