A Square Here, a Square There makes for a warm Afghan

Day 13, Jack Otis Memorial Month

Yippee, another afghan for our folks at The Homeless Families Foundation for project, "Welcome Home. This afghan is made from mostly crocheted squares. The squares come from about 3 different people. The bright purple squares are knitted. I edged each square with 2 rows of single crochet, used a version of join as you go with darning needle and yarn vs crocheting them together. I like that using a darning needle and stitching them together as they lay flat makes the join flatter then when they're crocheted together; but I'm not sure I'd use this method again. A lot more ends to work in at the end.
Here's a close up of the border. I've used this border alot in making afghans, it's one of my favorites, it's not open, or lacy, but adds some interest to the edge. Once all the squares were put together, I did 2 rows of sc around the outside of the afghan, then the decorative shells type row.

2011 Donations:

Scarves 376
Hats 809
Mittens 200
Socks 185
Squares 543
Rain Ponchos 84
Cotton Washcloths 324
Sweaters/Poncho's 9
Slippers 91
Afghans 42+1=43 (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 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!

Wrap up in a Crocheted Scarf

Wrap up in this crocheted scarf from our long time supporter and friend Sandie from Louisiana. Sandie's work is always so well done. This scarf is both warm and soft. Many thanks Sandie, please keep up the good work.

This is day 12 folks in our month long focus on men and their needs. Have you read about my friend Jack Otis? If not, please do. Do you have a story you can share about homelessness?

I'm going to share a 2nd story with you about another high school friend who was educated, successful in several areas including owning his own business. A horrific car accident changed all that. After one uses up insurance, short and or long disability, and no longer has a job nothing remains the same. He had brain damage, making further employment a problem. He was a heartbeat away from being homeless. A good friend took him in and gave him lodging. That gave him time to get back on his feet enough not to be homeless. He has never regained his former level of success or employment. A car accident, something that could happen to anyone of us.

When you see a homeless person on the street, please think about what you might do to help. Please don't look away, as if you don't see. That person has a face, and that person is or was someone's loved one. You don't know what their personal story is, you don't know what brought them to this point in their life.

Homelessness does indeed have a face. Please keep your hooks and needles busy and do what you can to help those less fortunate. They are someone's son, daughter, Mother, Father, Aunt, Uncle, friend, or former classmate. Just like my friends Jack and Bill.


2011 Donations:

Scarves 375+1=376
Hats 809
Mittens 200
Socks 185
Squares 543
Rain Ponchos 84
Cotton Washcloths 324
Sweaters/Poncho's 9
Slippers 91
Afghans 42 (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 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!

Colorful Socks and Gloves

Day 11 of Jack Otis Memorial Month

Look at this pile of colorful socks and gloves. The young girls are really covered here. Pinks, Purples, Blues, Reds and more. Annemarie...did you break in and take a whole shipment? lol

These 32 pairs of socks and 45 pairs of gloves will be divided up between the free clinics and the family shelters. Can't you just see the girls smiling and styling! Many thanks Annemarie for your continued support.

**Have you checked the tabs across the top of the blog recently? Constantly adding new info in FAQ, before you donate, patterns and more**


2011 Donations:

Scarves 375
Hats 809
Mittens 155+45=200
Socks 153+32=185
Squares 543
Rain Ponchos 84
Cotton Washcloths 324
Sweaters/Poncho's 9
Slippers 91
Afghans 42 (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 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!

Donated yarn and Squares

Jack Otis Memorial Month, Day 10

Box 1 contained yarn and cute squares from fellow classmate and friend Connie. Connie and I attended school together.................a few years back. She and I have enjoyed re-connecting on Facebook, much more regularly then class reunions. She indicated she had come across this ghan start and yarn in closet during some recent cleaning. Feeling she wanted to help, and probably wouldn't get back to this project....she forwarded it to me.
Box 2 contained more squares and yarn. 27 squares in all plus some circle starts. I plan to utilize her squares in a ghan for a little girl for our Welcome Home Project. I used the name Pink Petuna recently in an oddball blanket start through another charity group. I see that name as perfect for this project as well. Though I probably won't make all the squares exactly the way her pattern originally called for....a ghan will be made, and the yarn will be used for this and other projects for our cause. Connie was also a classmate of Jack Otis, so how fitting is this that she found and donated her goods for this month when we're honoring and remembering our friend Jack.

Thank you fellow Ohioan, Connie for your thoughtful donation. Hope to see you here at Bridge and Beyond frequently.


2011 Donations:

Scarves 375
Hats 809
Mittens 155
Socks 153
Squares 516+27=543
Rain Ponchos 84
Cotton Washcloths 324
Sweaters/Poncho's 9
Slippers 91
Afghans 42 (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 etc.

**Can you help us spread the word? Send our link with a personal message to everyone in your email box, please and 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!

New Helping Hands from Arizona for Ohio's Homeless

Jack Otis Memorial Month, Day 9

4 awesome scarves and one darling sweater from our newest pair of helping hands, Sara T (PixyKayte on RAV), from the state of Arizona. The sweater is knitted and I think 1 of the scarves it, while the other 3 are crocheted? I sent Sara a message, asking if she could share her sweater pattern. Looks like a good one, neck down...I think one piece design? Thank you Sara for joining us, and thank you for your thoughtful donation. We appreciate it and look forward to seeing you and your creations around Bridge and Beyond often.
Wanted to show you all a close up of this darling little sweater. Click to enlarge further.


2011 Donations:

Scarves 371+4=375
Hats 809
Mittens 155
Socks 153
Squares 516
Rain Ponchos 84
Cotton Washcloths 324
Sweaters/Poncho's 8+1=9
Slippers 91
Afghans 42 (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 etc.

**Can you help us spread the word? Send our link with a personal message to everyone in your email box, please and 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!

Frosty Morning Relief from Friends

Day 8 of Jack Otis Memorial Month

As of the writing of this scheduled post, it's 28 degrees, which is 4 degrees below freezing folks! This is the 2nd or 3rd morning I've noted the night temps have dipped below that cold freezing mark. It's close to 9 AM and it's not yet warmed up. White cold frost is still covering everything I can see from my windows. I'm sipping hot coffee and have a fleece on here in the house, as I wait for the house to warm up with the aid of the furnace. It's cold! I'm cold and I have the bounty of a roof over my head. Not so with the homeless who live outdoors.

Thank goodness for friends like you big hearted knitted, crocheters, and loomers. You all make such a difference. Above donation comes from our friend and fellow Ohioan, Cindy B. Lots of person care items (soap, combs, toothbrushes, toothpaste, toothbrush holders); which are always in need. Our Bridge folks and the shelters will be thrilled to get these items. Additionally, Cindy has donated 10 pairs of gloves and 50 hats. The colors of the hats didn't show up well in the picture. I stacked them by color. There's a group of black, navy, dark charcoal gray, light gray, and dark olive green.

Thank you Cindy for your thoughtful donation. The young boys/teens at the family shelters will be happy to receive them.

**Remember to leave tails when changing yarn and work your ends in, do not tie a knot and cut**


2011 Donations:

Scarves 371
Hats 759+50=809
Mittens 145+10=155
Socks 153
Squares 516
Rain Ponchos 84
Cotton Washcloths 324
Sweaters/Poncho's 8
Slippers 91
Afghans 42 (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 etc.

**Double yarn for slippers makes for a nice warm, and sturdy slipper. Or make 2 and stitch them together. You can make each a different color, which would make the slippers reversible**


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!