Pippy Longstocking, The Afghan

This afghan was designed some time back and has been waiting in que (there are still many).  As you can see in this picture I was making piles of yarn by color.  When I do an all day sort/organize/design it truly takes all day.  I lug up all the bags from the basement, separate and go at it.

If you've been a frequent visitor to my blog, Bridge and Beyond, you know I name all the afghans I knit/crochet/or assemble from pieces parts.  I named this one Pippy Longstocking.  I was sorta at the end of the designing day and had things that really didn't look like they went together, and came up with the name, because it's funky, weird, wild and miss-matched, just like she was.

In the above picture you'll note I was trying to determine what color to use to edge and join.  I choose based on how much of something I have, as well as what it looks like to me.... in my mind...trying to see it completed.

I selected the green and have almost gotten each piece edged.  The pieces aren't the same size, which I knew going into it, they often aren't...I did say pieces parts.  The strips on the top are smaller than those on the bottom, so will need extra edging, but often I can't tell how much until I edge the rest for comparison.  They tend to stretch a bit as I edge and layout more smoothly.  Looking at it now, I think edging the two rust colored strips will make the ghan too long as I originally designed, so am thinking about enough edging on them to fit them to the sides...almost like they appear in the picture.  Obviously they aren't long enough to fit the whole side so there would be much more green.  Or perhaps I will add more to the sides of what's there and not use the 2 strips?  Love any input.  I will stare at it awhile as I continue to join the pieces and perhaps that will help me make a decision.

These strips were intended to be scarves, but they really are too far off the size we need, so I've designed a good number of afghans with them.

Hope you're all busy working on something.


**The counts on our progress bars are current. 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.

Knitting and Crocheting in Sunny Florida for Ohio's Homeless

 Hurrah for this fantastic donation from our good friend, Sandra R from Florida, the Sunshine State.  See me dancing in the streets......you know I always do when we get mittens as part of a donation!   Sandra been beyond busy, seriously click to enlarge the picture so you can see all she's knitted and crochet.  In this picture she has knitted mittens, hats, and a scarf with fun colors.  The hats and mittens are all tagged with size and will fit a variety of sized people.  You will also notice the variety of styles in her hats.

 AND then this awesome Log Cabin style knitted afghan!  LOVE all the colors.  This sized so nice and will work for a family or indivual.  The colors work for male or female.  It's soft and nice and warmth.  WOW!

Wait, don't go, there's more to see........really 4 more scarves.  I believe these are crocheted.  It's official, I don't think Sandra eats or sleeps........she must be knitting and or crocheted 24 x 7........or she's super fast!

Wonderful donation that will touch so many in need.  As always thanks for all you do, and please keep up the good work.

**The counts on our progress bars are current. 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 Cotton Cloths Always Helpful

Thank you Deanna S for this nice donation of knitted cotton washcloths.  Such pretty colors I think they made the sun peak in a little when I was taking the picture.  We don't see the sun much, so when it pops in...it's noticeable and exciting.  Your pretty cloths did the trick I'm thinking.

Deanna is our newest pair of helping hands and hails from Illinois, The Prairie State.  That surprised me a bit, would have thought of Kansas for that, but that's what google told me.  Anyway, thrilled to have you join us Deanna and hope to see you here often on Bridge and Beyond.

Cotton Cloths have several uses.  Shelters love them and tell me when people get a night in the shelter these are nicer on their skin after being out in the elements.  They're put in welcome home packs when folks transition from shelter living to a permanent situation and are used both as dish cloths or showering.

Thank you and please keep up the good work. 

**The counts on our progress bars are current. 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.

Crocheting and Looming to Help the Homeless

Thank you Kathy S for this generous donation of warm hand crafted goodies!  Kathy's been very busy, as you can see with her crochet hook and with her knitting loom.  Hats and scarves, lots of different colors and sizes.

As I typed this post and schedule it to publish, it's been a couple of days of 12-20 ish temps here in Central Ohio.  So warm items are really needed by our homeless.  Homeless are men, women, and some children; though mostly men are the ones that live out in the elements.  The families, the women and children fair a bit better in getting nights in shelters; but still there is never enough shelter space for all who need it.

I know it doesn't seem like spring is that far away, 34 days; but with temps like we're having.......it sure doesn't seem very close.  

Many thanks Kathy and please keep up the good work.

**The counts on our progress bars are current. 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 Scarves Warm Ohio's Homeless

Thank you Laura J for this generous donation of knitted scarves and a hat to warm Ohio's Homeless here on Bridge and Beyond.  Laura's been busy.  Please click to enlarge so you can see the detail in her scarves.  The gray scarf in the middle has lots of interesting texture and the blue variegated ones ...not sure what the pattern is for blue, but I really like the look. 

Thank you for your on going support of Bridge and Beyond.  These scarves are so nice and warm, and soft!  You've made an important difference in the lives of many with your donation. 

Please keep up the good work!

**The counts on our progress bars are current. 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.

Coffee Latte Afghan Done and Donated

Drum Roll........I finally got Coffee Latte finished!  I first posted about starting Coffee Latte back on Feb 1th of 2019.  I also had started Blue Ocean.  It's typical for me to have lots of projects going at one time and bounce around between them.  I have big and little projects going, so I can tote the smaller ones with me.  I also vary what I'm working on between knitting and crocheting, as crocheting bothers the arthritis a bit more....plus in warmer months I don't like to have a big ghan on my lap.  

Anyway, those are my excuses for this taking so long.  I had it tucked away, and frankly sorta forgot about it; but am happy to now say.........yippee it's done.  It's a bit larger than some I make, which also made it take longer.  It's laying out here drying after being laundered.  I did a little bit of blocking, but not much was needed.  Just needed to smooth it out and of course let the yarn rest.  

It's always nice to get things laundered, as they look so much more finished, they soften up, and smooth out.

So Coffee Latte is our first afghan for the year 2020.

**The counts on our progress bars are current. 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.