Nothing Ordinary about Cotton Washcloths.

These washcloths are crocheted, but remember we also collect and donate knitted ones.  I've not crocheted any, but do enjoy knitting them.  I find the cotton bothers my hands far less with knitting then with crocheting; but ...it's a personal thing, whic is nice and gives us much variety....another plus.

Washcloths are a perfect small item to work on, to toss in your purse and have something almost anywhere or anytime to work on.

Trying to find some history behind washcloths are came up pretty dry.  The defination says a washcloth is a small absorbent cloth used for cleaning, be it an item, or a person.  It says the texture in a washcloth is good for exfoliating vs washing with your hands only, or a cloth that's so smooth there is no texture to it.

I stumbled onto a blog written by a young Black Male who says washcloths, the use of them is a racial issue.  Huh?  I said outloud as I reading his blog.  He explains he knows only Black people use them and White people don't and why hasn't anyone discussed the racial issue of washcloths!  His blog is quite entertaining I might add, and he has a HUGE following and the comments were also entertaining.  He also discusses how dirty a washcloth is, people indicate you use them once and themn you launder them.  Seriously, there were almost 50 comments on his entertaining blog about washcloths.  AND there were many people identifying themselves as Black who don't use as well as those indentifying themselves as Whites who do, so that pretty much decided the debate wasn't in need of futher research and investigation.  LOL.  How creative some folks are.

Throughout the years our numbers of donated cotton (knit and crocheted) washcloths has grown and they are always items well received.  They are used both as washcloths and as dishcloths.  There are used when people first come to the shelter with very little personal care products, they're put in the Welcome Home Packs when folks leave the shelters for permanet housing, and our folks under the bridges also use them.

At the close of 2013 I asked if folks were trying to decide between making a hat, or scarf or washcloth to please opt for the items that would keep people warm....the greater need.  Because of that naturally our numbers fell.  I'm ok with that.  That's not to say we don't need or want cotton washcloths, or that you shouldn't make and donate them.

Donation Totals:

2011......289
2012......577 (+288 more then previous year
2013......784 (+207 more then previous year
2014......334 (-243 less then previous year

AVERAGE  496 which is 162 more then our last year.

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.

Knitted and Crocheted Slippers

Pictured are slipper/socks.  We knit and crochet and donate many different styles of slippers.  Slippers provide extra warmth, and give folks a chance to wash their socks and still have something on their feet.  Many homeless and those living in shelters have few socks so the slippers can truly be a necessity for them.  If they've been outside in the cold and wet during the day and get a bed for the night in a temporary shelter, it gives them the ability to put something dry on their feet while their shoes and or socks dry out.

I didn't find a great deal of information regarding the history of slippers in my google search,  but what I did find was interesting.  It's believed the date back to the times of Sultans and their harems.  Slippers were a symbol of captivity.  One really couldn't run away without proper footwear, and since slippers were typically very light weight with little to protect the foot and or where slippery, they weren't something even a loveable concubine would attempt on cobblestones.  Slippers moved from The East to Medieval Europe and often were a sign of nobility.

Slippers were made initially to be fancy, made of delicate fabric and only became a true shoe replacement in later years.  Nowdays some folks wear slippers indoors instead of shoes, feeling it's cleaner; but there's also a great safety concern that people should not wear slippers instead of shoes as their feet aren't protected from injury and the number of folks who fall because wearing slippers vs shoes caused them to fall has been reported in medical communities.

Our Donated Slipper Counts:
2011......128
2012......153 (+25 more then the previous year
2013......220 (+67 more then the previous year
2014......121 (-32 less then the previous year.

AVERAGE for those 4 years is 155 pairs of slippers which  is  34 more then our most recent total.

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.

Traveling Afghan in the Works

This is Pink Persuation, it was designed long ago and has been waiting in the wings to  assembled.  It traveled with me to South Carolina.  I tossed off white in the project bag to edge and join it.  I think given the size, it probably needs 2 rows around each square, or maybe one double crochet row with a wider border around the whole thing when finished.  Will see how it shapes up .

I'm also continuing to work on the knitting stripes afghan, making some progress since the last picture you saw.  Atttemped to post an updated picture here for you all, but apparently I can't use the photo on the phone without adding yet another ap to the phone and one to the computer.  ARgh...plus since I'm typing this from my ipad....loading to the computer isn't possible,  and there isn't a way to post a picture from the ipad directly, or if there is I am unaware of how to do it.

Hope you're all busy working on something, as it seems more cold weather and snow is expected around the country.




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.

First Donation for the Homeless in 2015

 Thank you, Thank you Sandra R from Florida for this awesome donation of knitted goodies.  Sandra has such talented fingers.  Her knitted warm items are always beautifully made.  Special thanks for always tagging your hats with size Sandra, you know how I appreciate that.  AND you all know I'm dancing for joy because she's one of our stellar mitten makers.  Look at those cute cute gray children's mittens in the lower right corner, and the nice pink pair that match a hat!

Clapping for more mittens off Sandra's needles, tied together and sized.  You rock!  She's made several different sizes so many many head and hands of different sizes will be warmer.

Sandra's been a long time and very generous supporter.  She often includes sunshine in her box to help ease the cold we experience here in Central Ohio, if only I could share that with our homeless....if only.
This is our first donation of the New Year!  Way to go Sandra.

2015 Donations:
Hats: 10
Scarves:
Mittens: 10
Slippers:
Rain Poncho's:
Cotton Washcloths:
Afghans:
Socks:
Fingerless gloves/wrist warmers:
Cowls/Infinity scarves:
Misc: personal care items and anything not listed above


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.

Hats

Hats.  Found some fun hat facts through a google search.  Notations of a pictorial depiction of Thebes tomb and a man wearing a straw hat back in 3200 BC.  Also a listing of a Danish Chieftain wearing a fur cap back in 70 BC.   1529 AD is supposed to be when the reference to a Millner (maker of hats) was first noted. The Haberdashers in Milan and northern Italy who imported straw hats were called Millaners.

Here in the states, John B. Stetson made a hat at a campfire outwest and began making and selling, "Boss of the Plains" in 1865.  Ten years later at The Kentucky Derby marked the largest hat fashion event.  An official hat day is marked as Jan 15th, though the exact year is unknown.

When The Royal Wedding on April 30th, 2011 put the spotlight on beautiful Kate Middleton, hats became quite popular.

Wikipedia tells us a hat is a covering for the head to protect it from elements, to be worn for ceremonial and or religious purposes, for safety reason and as a fashion statement.  Hats historically have been a sign of status.  In the military, hats show nationality, rank, and branch of service.

Our hats stats:
2011..... 969 hats were made and donated
2012.....1052 (an increase of 83 warm heads
2013.....1004 (decrease of 48
2014.....971 (decrease from 2013 of 81

Our average for those 4 years is 998 which is 27 more then our donated number in 2014.

It's been awhile since I've made a hat, I spend the bulk of my knitting and crocheting time on afghans.  I must try to make some hats.  Are you working on any hats?  Be sure to check the hat tab across the top of the blog for necessary information regarding size, colors, and fibers.  AND please remember to always tag your hats with size.  Tags should be physically attached to the hat vs a note that says the whole box are mediums.  When there are shelved at the various shelters they are shelved by size.


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.

Personal Care Items

As you probably know, we collect and distribute personal items to those living out in the elements and to various shelters.  We collect and distribute these personal care items all year long.  The need for them never diminishes.  We don't count the items specifically, but always encourage folks to donate them.

You can buy bulk items, travel size items, collect items when you travel that are stocked in hotel and resort rooms.  So many folks pack their own brands that collecting them in hotels is an easy and inexpensive/free way to make a donation.

Items we've collected include:
Tooth brushes
Tooth paste
Floss
Mouth Wash
Soap
Shampoo
Hair Conditioner
Lip Gloss/Balm/Chap Stick
Lotions/cream
Tissues
Deodorant
Cotton Swabs
Hand Sanitizer
Body Wipes
Razors

Items we've not specifically named in the past include Tylenol, sunblock, ethnic hair care products, and feminine hygiene products.  After researching a bit on the net, I've read about the rather large need for feminine hygiene products.  Tampons and pads of varying sizes are always in short supply.  Can you imagine the lack of being able to clean up and change to clean dry products?  Can you imagine how dirty you'd feel, how deflated you'd feel?  I truly can not.  I read several articles and wanted to share them here, but was unable to share a link or do a copy and paste, apparently the way the articles were coded prevented my doing that.  So as we get rolling in this new year, please keep this in mind.

Donating personal care items is something everyone can do, you don't need to be a knitter or crocheter to be able to help.

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.