Snowy, Cold, Dangerous Temperatures Difficult for Homeless

Folks across the country have been experiencing severe weather conditions, ice, snow, dangerously low temperatures with many businesses and schools closing.  This is a picture I saw posted a few days on Facebook of an area not to far from my house, about 6 miles.  Can you feel the cold?  This was I believe the day temps were around 10-.

This is why homeless people, and people in shelters need us to knit and crochet warm things such as mittens, hats, scarves, and slippers.  Each item has it's own tab with necessary information about sizing, colors, and fibers needed; as well as what is not accepted.  Please review the tabs prior to making your thoughtful donations and let me know if you have questions.

*yet another practice for me using the ipad to post pictures and write blog posts.*

 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.

Posting Pictures Using an Ipad is Possible

Woot Woot, it worked I've successfully posted  a picture to my blog from my ipad.  Thanks to a helpful person on facebook, Melissa.  She indicated I needed to store the photo elsewhere and then paste the url here.  So this picture goes with my previous post.  And since taking this photo and trying for several days to do this, the afghan is done, so when I have a minute I'll try to retake and repost.

This is a test...see me jumping up and down, like I always do when I learn something new.

Thank you M, as we affectionately called her back during the days of The Hive.


 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.

Ipad Failing Pictures, and Crocheting for Homeless

Sorry I have no pictures for you folks.  Using my ipad, and although I do have pictures, I'm not able to post them here for you.  I didn''t know that.  When you try to add pictures, as you would on your computer you do not get the browse option in order to select pictures you have right here on your ipad.  That seems silly to me.  I've got just 3 seams left on the daisy ghan ad so wanted to share the progress with you.  I am very much a newbie with my ipad, so if an of you can tell me how to post said pictures...please sing out.  I tried a cut and paste, but that  didn't work either.  Sommeone on facebook suggested I load it to an on line storage area and then use the url of the picture to post.  I tried that with pisca albums...a free on line storage for photo's area, but had no luck either.

Argh....the learning curve is frustrating me a bit.  Meanwhile, I hope to finish the ghan very soon, hope I have enough yarn with me for the edging...if not, that will wait.  Next up in a red scarf for the kiddo's.  As most of you know we're focusing on the needs of kids for the months of January and Febuary.  Please look at the top of the log, there's a tab for hats, scarves, mittens, and slippers.  Each of those tabs takes you to information about size, color, fiber etc.  I attempted to post links here, but apparently I'm linked challenged also....here on m ipad.

The temps around the country have been horrid lately, even in some traditionally warmer areas.  Please stay safe, and warm wherever you are, and remember......yarn, don't leave home without it!

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.

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.