Eclectic Afghan for Homeless Families Foundation

This is a start, to what will be a rather eclectic Afghan.  I raided my stash and found  gold, orange, burgundy, gray and teal of the same type and weight of yarn.  Oh, and purple...or perhaps it's more lavender.  So, this knitted afghan is in the works.  I'll be working on it, as well as assembling 3 afghans from stripes and squares and rectangles.  I have project bags all lined up and will keep you informed how things progress.

Since we feel short of our afghan goal last year, I'm trying hard to double my efforts and get a really good start to our goal early in the year.  I'm also hopeful some of you will join me in this endeavor.  Check your stash, check the afghan tab across the top of the blog and see what you might put together.  We're after warmth.  Whether you knit or crochet, remember afghans don't need to be fancy with involved difficult stitches to keep someone warm.  This afghan will be all garter stitches, with the mix of colors providing some interest.

Most crocheted afghans take a bit less time to make than knitted afghans, thus my having 3 crocheted ghans to work on at the same time as this one knitted afghan.  Do you knit or crochet faster?  Perhaps it all comes down to which skill you learned first?

Please stay tuned, as this afghan and the 3 crocheted afghans grow and let me know what you're working on.

**The counts on our progress bars are current, the percentages not quite. I'll not be figure the percentages with each update of numbers, but will be updating again next at least by the 20th. I have in fact made a reminder not on my cell phone for the 20th of each month to do percentages. If we're at a milestone, or I just have extra time I may do it more often...but certainly at that scheduled time.

** 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 for Homeless

The picture above pulls at my heart strings, it's sad.  Sleeping on a cold sidewalk (just as the previous post) in the middle of busy community while others go about their normal business.  Unlike the previous post and picture, this gentleman doesn't have the luxury of a tent.  Also looks like he has very merger belongings.  Our donations, like a warm knitted or crocheted or loomed hat can make him or others like him more comfortable.  Keep him warmer, and in fact can be the difference in staying alive on a cold night.

Yes, the situation is sad, and rather bleak; but you all who donate do make an important difference in giving people hope, as well as keeping them warmer...and more safe.

Our donations of hats, scarves, mittens, slippers, personal care items, cotton washcloths, and afghans tell people we care about them.  Our donations are all direct donations.  By that I mean, we here at Bridge and Beyond are a grass roots charity, they is no paid staff.  Your donations all go to those in need.  Some of your donations go from you to me to Rae.  Rae is dear lady who prepares hot meals on Saturdays mornings to feed those living out in the elements (under the bridges and beyond).  Your donations go to men, women, and children in shelters; as well as those families who transition from shelter living to a permanent housing situation.

Your donations are gifts!  Think of the Birthday or Christmas Gifts you've given over the years.  You give of yourself be it in time to shop for something special, or time to craft something special.  When you make a donation to Bridge and Beyond or a homeless group in your community, you are doing the same thing.  Giving something special to someone special.  Our donations aren't gift wrapped with a big red bow, but I venture to say they are equally as precious, if not more so.

Each item we knit, crochet, or loom has it's own tab across the top of the blog with necessary information about size, colors, and fibers to ensure our donations do indeed meet the needs of those we serve.  If you have questions not addressed, or wonder why there's a specific requirement for color, size or fiber.........please feel free to contact me either by email or the contact form in the right side bar.

**The counts on our progress bars are current, the percentages not quite. I'll not be figure the percentages with each update of numbers, but will be updating again next at least by the 20th. I have in fact made a reminder not on my cell phone for the 20th of each month to do percentages. If we're at a milestone, or I just have extra time I may do it more often...but certainly at that scheduled time

.** 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.

Camp for Homeless is NOT Camping

On first glance, you may think this Dad and his cute little daughter are camping, but........look again.  They are on a sidewalk--a hard sidewalk somewhere in the US.  Camping on a hard sidewalk is NOT something you do vs staying in a state or national park when you're camping.  When you're camping you typically pitch your tent on grass or a special tent pad that provides comfort.  No, this sad situation is a Dad and his cute young daughter on a sidewalk, there is no camp ground with a bathroom, or a fire pit etc.  They could even be considered as some of the luckier people, as they have a tent which would provide cover in rain. 

I assume there are in a large city that allows homeless to pitch a tent on a sidewalk.  In my community that is not permitted.  But, the big problem here is a young girl/ toddler and her father are homeless.  They probably don't know where their next meal is coming from or whether or not they can stay here beyond this one night.  It's sad.  Truly, being homeless is something that even my being involved with this blog for going on ten years, is hard to fathom.  I can not imagine what it must be like to want to take care of your sweet young daughter when you are without.  I just can't imagine.

Please do what you can to knit, crochet, spread the word here through Bridge and Beyond, as well efforts in your own community.  No one should be homeless.  Let's all do our best to provide what we can.  Perhaps you're able to provide a tent, sleeping bag, tarp or other equipment to an organization in your community.  This is a sad picture indeed, but ...can you picture what it would look like without the stroller, without the tent?  Do what you can, provide what you can. 

Together with caring hearts, we can help...one day at a time, one person at a time, one donation at a time.  Thank you for all you do here on Bridge and Beyond and whatever you're also able to do in your communities.

**The counts on our progress bars are current, the percentages not quite. I'll not be figure the percentages with each update of numbers, but will be updating again next at least by the 20th. I have in fact made a reminder not on my cell phone for the 20th of each month to do percentages. If we're at a milestone, or I just have extra time I may do it more often...but certainly at that scheduled time.** 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.

Thank you Karen S for this wonderful donation of crocheted warm hats and scarves.  Absolutely LOVE the brown.  Brown is such a great color for the men.  Special thanks too for tagging the hats with size.  Folks if you click to enlarge the picture you'll see Karen's hand made size tags....so cute!  I assume it's card stock, or perhaps even index card that has been cut with either a dye or pinking shears?

Karen has also crocheted 5 cotton washcloths, that are always so well received.  The cotton washcloths has so many uses.  

If you're new to reading this blog, Bridge and Beyond (dedicated to helping homeless through knitting and crocheting), you may not be familiar with this type of crochet that Karen uses in her scarves.  There are apparently many different names for it, Double Ended Crochet, Cro-hooking, Reversible Tunisian and more.  It's been a while since I posted a video on how Karen accomplishes this interesting light and dark side to the scarves...as well as interesting texture.  I posted about it HERE.  Please have a look.

Thank you Karen for your on going support of Bridge and Beyond and our Homeless Friends in Needs.  We all appreciate it, and you.

**The counts on our progress bars are current, the percentages not quite.  I'll not be figure the percentages with each update of numbers, but will be updating again next at least by the 20th.  I have in fact made a reminder not on my cell phone for the 20th of each month to do percentages.  If we're at a milestone, or I just have extra time I may do it more often...but certainly at that scheduled time.**

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.