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!