Meeting the Needs of Homeless

Making items needed vs items we like to make can sometimes be a challenge.  When it comes to warming the homeless, those outside in the elements and or those living temporarily in shelters it's important to make our donations useable by those who receive our gifts.

• Maybe we have pretty, soft pastels in our yarn stash and like to make quick open lacey style scarves.  While doing that may serve our purpose of using up our stash, and make us feel good to make several items quickly, it doesn't really meet the need and therefore whom are we serving?  Have we really accomplished anything?
• Maybe we like to make lots of stripes, in whatever we're making.  It's a good way to use up small amounts of yarn left overs in or stash; but it makes the final product bightly colored, perhaps even wild.  Will it blend easily with a variety of coat colors?  Will it blend into the environment where our person in need finds themselves?  Or will it do the opposite, will it call attention to the individual?  Calling attention to the individual can be dangerous for those living outdoors (who often get harassed by police and others).  Calling attention to a child on a playground who's wearing wild stripes/ wild colors when his/her playmates aren't wearing wild colors/stripes is a sure way to single out a child for ridicule...a way for other kids to poke fun.  A way to bully even.  So again, I would ask whom are we serving?  Have we accomplished our goal?

Please read the tabs folks about size, colors, styles, fibers before you take precious time to knit, crochet, or loom an item to be donated.

I've always indicated solids are preferred over stripes, darks over pastels and brights for the above reasons, plus the dirt factor.  Additionally, the fewer stripes generally means fewer ends to work in, to worry about unraveling so we save some headaches that way too.  Stripes for edging or to add some detail are nice...but, it's not the only way to add interest to the item.

Suzanne, has posted some wonderful patterns indicating how we as crafters can add interest with texture that pleases us as we're knitting and or crocheting; but also to the recipant of the donated item.

Please take a look at her blog post where she discusses Bridge and Beyond, HERE http://www.suzannebroadhurst.com/2014/01/06/crochet-for-a-cause-simple-scarf-for-a-homeless-one/.  In fact, take time and look around her blog, as she's focusing on homeless crafting during this moth.



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.


http://www.suzannebroadhurst.com/

Daisies and Funky Fall Designed Afghans

It's been a while since this afghan, Daisies has been designed.  It's been in waiting mode to be joined and donated for our welcome home project.  For new readers here on the blog you may not know.  I collected both knitted and crocheted squares and assembled afghans which are part of The Homeless Families Foundation Welcome Home Packs.  They receive afghans from us as a way to say congratulations when the transition out of shelter living into their permanent home situation.  Truly something to celebrate.  It's been a good long while since I've asked for squares as I still have plenty on hand to work with.  I did however want to share this with you.  The above afghan is in the works.  I worked on edging the squares on a recent long car trip (where I wasn't driving).  Hope to have it completed soon, so please stay tuned.

**crocheting one edge around all squares in double crochet, except the light yellow/gold squares.  They seem just a bit smaller, will possible add an additional sc round after the  doubles to see if that brings them up to size**

And below is one called Funky Fall, unless someone can come up with a better name...please!  I'm two squares short and will use the yarn you see laid out to make the 2 squares needed.  Once the squares are made, then will start the edging process for this afghan.  Since there are more squares for this afghan, probably don't need to do more then a sc edge around these squares before joining.

From the Top of the Head to the Tip of Your Toes

Thank you Marie P for this thoughtful donation.  You've covered head to toe with your donation of knitted hats and socks.  Marie's also included personal care items with the soap and washcloths.  Special thanks for tagging your hats with size...so much appreciated.

I'm partial to the red hat with black stripe, but know they all will be hits and help keep someone warm.  Thank you and keep up the good work.

If you haven't yet done so, please check out the updates on the working calendar tab.  Remember focus items are suggestions, you are not restricted by that.  I know we all try to utilize yarn from our stash, which often dictates what we make when.

2014 Donations:
Hats: 6+4=10
Scarves: 8
Socks: 4
Afghans: 6
Slippers: 7
Rain Ponchos: 
Mitten:
Cotton Washcloths: 13
Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's, Skirts etc. : 
Misc. Items: include personal care, headbands, hand-warmers, cowls/gators/neckwarners and all meal prep related items, Dolls, associated items, stuffed/crocheted/knitted toys... etc aren't tabulated

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.

Slippers Warm Feet such a Relief

Think how much our feet do for us.  They support our whole body and when our feet hurt, or are cold, or wet or all the above we are miserable.  Think of the relief you feel when you put on a dry clean pair of socks or slip into a soft warm slipper.....ahhhhh.  You know, we all know that wonderful feeling.  Think of people in shelters who maybe washing out their one pair of socks for the night with nothing dry to put on and you can quickly see what relief a pair of slippers can bring.

Thank you Sherry C, our newest pair of helping hands for this thoughtful donation.  Folks you may not be able to see from the picture, but the slippers are both navy and black.  The slippers are a variety of sizes.  Sherry's hit everyone here with her donations slippers for men, women, and children.  Well done Sherry, we look forward to seeing you here often on Bridge and Beyond.

2014 Donations:
Hats: 6
Scarves: 8
Socks: 
Afghans: 6
Slippers: 1+6=7
Rain Ponchos: 
Mitten:
Cotton Washcloths: 13
Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's, Skirts etc. : 
Misc. Items: include personal care, headbands, hand-warmers, cowls/gators/neckwarners and all meal prep related items, Dolls, associated items, stuffed/crocheted/knitted toys... etc aren't tabulated

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.

New Helping Hands from Ohio

Thank you Anna Marie M, fellow Ohioan for this thoughtful donation.  Anna Marie is our newest pair of helping hands.  Nice variety in sizes and colors in her crocheted scarves.  Love the texture in the royal blue scarf...click to enlarge to see the details.  Welcome to the group Anna Marie, hope to see you here often on Bridge and Beyond.   We now 2 Anna Marie's one from New York and one from Ohio, helping the group.

Have you checked out the working calendar folks?  Now through the end of February will focus on kids.  Hats, mittens, scarves, and slippers for toddlers through teens.  Be sure and use kid friendly colors....dark remember doesn't show dirt.

2014 Donations:
Hats: 6
Scarves: 4+4=8
Socks: 
Afghans: 6
Slippers: 1
Rain Ponchos: 
Mitten:
Cotton Washcloths: 13
Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's, Skirts etc. : 
Misc. Items: include personal care, headbands, hand-warmers, cowls/gators/neckwarners and all meal prep related items, Dolls, associated items, stuffed/crocheted/knitted toys... etc aren't tabulated

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.

Donations Help Others

Oophs sorry folks had this ready to post, with the thought of coming back to actually write the post, and due to travel it got posted as scheduled, before I got back to it.

Thank you Ethan E for awesome donation of crocheted cotton washcloths, hats and scarves.  All are much appreciated.  And welcome to the group, we're thrilled you found us, and look forward t seeing you here often on Bridge and Beyond.  Please keep up the good work.

Folks, have you checked out the working calendar lately?  I've added about half the year in terms of our focus.  This year I thought we'd focus on groups in needs for a longer period of time, vs an item a month, as we've done in past.  For the duration of January and the month of February our focus will be kids.  By kids, I'm talking toddler to teens.  We've had requests from several schools in needy areas as well as shelters.  Apparently their supply of kids items has diminished.  We need hats, scarves, mitten and slipper suitable for kids.  Remember we do not donate baby items, but toddler through teens.  Colors should be dark and r bright, but not pastels due to the dirt factor.

2014 Donations:
Hats: 6
Scarves: 4
Socks: 
Afghans: 6
Slippers: 1
Rain Ponchos: 
Mitten:
Cotton Washcloths: 13
Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's, Skirts etc. : 
Misc. Items: include personal care, headbands, hand-warmers, cowls/gators/neckwarners and all meal prep related items, Dolls, associated items, stuffed/crocheted/knitted toys... etc aren't tabulated

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.