A personal delivery for the Homeless

Look at this darling knitted matching set. Soooooo cute, so soft, and nice so nice and warm. Some little one will look adorable as well as be warm, thanks to SurlyGirl on Rav (Jessica). I know she said she used bulky yarn and DPN's for the mittens, but also said the pattern for the mittens was a really good one.

Many of us visit back and forth on each other's blog and feel like we get to know each other. Some of us are in groups together and chat that way, some email, but this was a donation made person to person. How cool is that. We're both on Rav, but found we live in the same city and so met up for the hand off. I consider that a bonus, getting to meet face to face.

Many thanks Jessica for your thoughtful donation. Hope to see you again soon in person and or here on Bridge and Beyond.

**Still have time enough to send squares before the end of the month for Give a Square**

2011
Scarves 20
Hats 39+1=40
Mittens 0=1=1
Socks 5
Slippers 3
Ghans 1
Squares 51

Please remember 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. It truly DOES make a difference. THANK YOU!

Designing with Blue and Green

Blue and Green, what fun! Squares and rectangles from lots of folks. I know some are from Sandie, Joy, Alexis, Rose Marie, Jessica and Yvonne as well as my long term stash from before Give a Square. If I missed someone, please sing out. I try to scan the pictures and remember who sent what group of squares. I really can't keep track of each individual one; but don't want to leave anyone out.

This blue and green makes me think of a favorite formal from my high school years. My mother thought I was a bit wacky when I selected blue and green satin fabric for her to make me a dress. The top was turquoise, and the bottom was green. It was a basic empire wasted dress, sleeveless and floor length. I wore it to the winter formal. Loved the dress so much the following year for she added an overlay of a blend of the colors so the dress would look different and I wore it to the prom. Several years later a friend borrowed it for her sister to wear in her wedding. I've never heard back from her since and so never got my dress back. Makes me sad, even to this day. I've gained weight so naturally couldn't wear it now; but Mom made it and it was my favorite.

Am having great fun folks designing with your squares and rectangles, keep em coming. Please keep checking back in...I've got more for you to see.

2011
Scarves 20
Hats 39
Mittens 0
Socks 5
Slippers 3
Ghans 1
Squares 51

Please remember 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. It truly DOES make a difference. THANK YOU!

Pink and Purple Afghan Design

Keep checking in folks. I've been throwing squares and rectangles all over the living room coming up with designs for afghans for our folks at Faith Mission from your generous donations. The above pink and purple combination is sure to bring a smile to someone's face. This is bagged and ready for me to assemble when I finish colorful blocks which is currently in the works. What girl doesn't like pink and purple? Young or old, lol.

This design is made from both squares and rectangles, some are knitted and some are crocheted, some are granny squares and others are sampler style. I know off the top of my head many are squares from Joy, Rose Marie, Karen V, James, and some I've had for a good while from a couple of defunct groups that sent their odds and ends anonymously when they disbanded. Do you see any of your squares or rectangles here? If so, sing out.

Please stay tuned folks, cause while I had the living room a mess...I really went at it designing. Hubby took a look at the living room with squares on all the chairs, coffee table, carpet, etc and said I best leave, "don't want to be in the way of your creating!"

2011
Scarves 20
Hats 39
Mittens 0
Socks 5
Slippers 3
Ghans 1
Squares 51

Please remember 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. It truly DOES make a difference. THANK YOU!

Hats, Scarves, and Squares, The Giving Continues

Thank you James. James does beautiful work (all items are knitted), and has been a long time supporter of the cause here at Bridge and Beyond. We appreciate your dedicated, your hard work, and duration James! 3 nice warm soft hats, 1 fabulous scarf, and 4 squares to add to my collection. Please keep checking in for designs and finished ghans for our folks at Faith Mission from the squares from Give a Square (as well as those I have on hand).

Hand knit and crocheted items give warmth in several ways folks, so please keep them coming. First they give hope to the person who receives them. Hope that things will improve for them. It gives physical warmth from the cold which is so needed, and it let's them know they are not forgotten, that someone somewhere who doesn't know them has taken precious time to make something special...JUST for THEM!

2011
Scarves 19+1=20
Hats 36+3=39
Mittens 0
Socks 5
Slippers 3
Ghans 1
Squares 47+4=51

Rainbow Project....kids helping kids runs through the end of January. Have you read about it? Please do.

Recently, Toby (a lady who helps Rae prepare and feed the homeless on Sat am), hand delivered some of our hats, scarves, and mittens to 2 schools who sadly have children in need. Cold children without, some of whom make their way to school despite the difficulties of being homeless, or living in a shelter. Stiles and Darby Dale Elementary schools are part of the Southwestern City School District who've experienced many failed levies and many cuts. We may not be able to make up for the shortfalls with failed levy's, but we can and did make children warmer through your generous and on going support of knitted and crocheted items. Yet again, an example of the word "beyond" in our title.

Please remember 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. It truly DOES make a difference. THANK YOU!

Completed Vacation Afghan for the Homeless

Happy to say I was able to finish my DD (Christine's) Vacation Ghan. She was quite close to having it completed before she had to return from her visit. This ghan was made in strips, both vertical and horizontal. A variety of stitches were used included double crochet, v-stitch, single crochets, shells, and front post double crochet's. I love how well this turned out and am very proud of her.

I wrote down the measurements, but can't find my note. My memory is something around 54 x 72. Here's a close up of the edging. The edge is 4 rows, with the last row being shells giving it a scalloped edge.

Thank you DD for all your hard work during your vacation.

2011
Scarves 19
Hats 36
Mittens 0
Socks 5
Slippers 3
Ghans 0+1=1
Squares 47

This ghan will go to Faith Mission and keep someone nice and warm due to it's size and thickness.

Please remember 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. It truly DOES make a difference. THANK YOU!

Cheering up and Warming up with Bright Blocks

Bright Blocks in need of a few final rows/trim edge. These blocks were all crocheted and donated by Anne, Pat, Carol, and Kris.

I edged them with a nice dark blue and as luck had it, actually had some of the variegated yarn in my stash--hard to believe isn't it; but how cool is that. I was then able to complete the edging with several more rows of the matching variegated yarn.

Funny different lighting in the 2 pictures. The first picture was taken during the day (you can actually see a wee bit of sunshine), and this 2nd picture taken at night with the lights on when I finished the edge. Not sure you can tell without clicking to enlarge but the final edge has several rows of ruffles for the ladies.

Once it's laundered, it will need a small bit of blocking, but not much. Once that done, it's on it's way to Faith Mission for those Mothers and Children in need. This is about 50 inches square so is nice size.

2011
Scarves 19
Hats 36
Mittens 0
Socks 5
Slippers 3
Ghans 0+1=1
Squares 47

We still have a couple of weeks left in our Give a Square and Rainbow Project, both are running until the end of the month of January. Details in the sidebar.

Please remember 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. It truly DOES make a difference. THANK YOU!

Stage One, the donated squares
Stage Two The Design
Stage Three...edging and joining