Next Up, Louise's C19-Lockdown Projects

Yesterday I posted the projects I finished during our Charity Crafters' Covid19 lockdown (link for that here). Today, here's a photo of what our long-time member, Louise, finished along the way. It includes 9 pairs of our fingerless gloves for the homeless, 1 scarf for them, 1 lapghan for the VA, 2 baby blankets and 4 baby jackets for local needy moms/babies.

We stick to simpler patterns for the most part because a lot of people in need do not have access to hand-washing fancy/delicate things, and some, like the VA, wash the lap covers in industrial washers which are tough on items, and some young needy mothers need things that are easy to put on and take off.

Tomorrow I'll do the scarves that came in during the C19 lockdown. After that, I will take all this stuff in the 3 days of pix and pack and document and shove big white 13-gallon bags into my double wide closet in the back bedroom until we distribute to one of the 3 places we give things (VA facility, two priests who hand out directly to homeless, and a group that distributes to mothers in need).

Rolling along...

Charity Crafters Meeting Once Again!

Such a happy Friday morning! Our first "meet" since this pandemic started. Well, actually, Louise and I haven't shared a Friday morning since our last one back on 2/21/20. Then she left on a cruise, and then the cruise was messed up as they tried to dodge the pandemic bullet, and I'm so happy she did, but it was a long time before we could do this again. Let's see - she was here 2/21, then our Park closed our Clubhouse on 3/16.

It re-opened a week ago but I didn't know it so yesterday was our first re-meet - she brought me all the things she worked on, and I let her know what I had finished, and we caught up and were VERY glad to be doing it again. Along the way, our two main "invisible" members were working as well - the one who is on dialysis is still making loom-knitted hats and the one near our Clubhouse is bringing crocheted scarves every week or 10 days - she's brought almost 4 dozen since the pandemic hit.

So, at the moment, to begin to catch us up on this blog, the photo here is what I finished between 2/21 and yesterday: 6 hats and 5 lapghans for the VA...

I'll be sharing Louise's stash in a day or so after I count and take pix of hers. She did a lot more than I did - wait until you see. And then I'll do the scarves another day.

Later this week I'll be packing as much as I can for the closet stash before our hot weather hits the back part of the house again. This week we are blessed with under-triple digits. For June in Vegas, that is a treat -

I also need to update everyone on my Christmas Tote activities - although I'm thinking of just calling it my "gift stash" because I've already removed 2 or 3 things for sudden impulse giving.

Rolling along...

So Grateful for Crafting to Relieve Current Stress

After visiting my long-time friend at her home while she is in hospice status, I sort of "froze in place" when I got home. She was already in a state where she is totally unresponsive and seemingly unaware.

After a while, I looked around, picked up my hook, and dove into some partly-finished projects.

It is so rewarding to be able to relieve stress with craft projects. I was able to tuck in ends and finish off 3 almost-finished pairs of fingerless gloves and one ribbed hat, for the local homeless.

I might not have done much else today, but between the visit and the projects, I felt better when I came back to the PC to check emails and to post.

Rolling along...

Fingerless Gloves - and I Packed More Bags

We've been busy building a stash of fingerless gloves for the upcoming winter for the homeless. We like to turn in a few dozen, at least, each October. Here's a pic of the fingerless gloves from the past two weeks. Yesterday, two of us turned in 9 pairs between us.

I also spent an hour this morning packing more bags to shove into the closet for later distribution. At the moment, that poor closet is holding the following (these are 13 gal. kitchen bags)...

VA -2, Babies - 3, and Homeless - 9

I use the 13 gal. bags for transport because they are the easiest for me to handle. At one time, before I, um, "matured," I could handle huge Hefty bags but those days are gone. I handle them many times, from packing, to stashing, to later dragging them all from the back end of the house, through the house, out the pantry door, down the steps, to either my trunk or to the side of the house for Louise & Georgie to pick up.

Anyhow, we'll likely distribute to the local homeless mid-October (when it's cold already on the streets), to the babies just before Thanksgiving (before it gets really cold), and to the VA in December.

Rolling along...

I've Fallen In Love With The Granny Ripple Pattern!

I was searching online a few weeks ago for a ripple pattern when I couldn't find mine on my hard drive. I found quite a few granny ripples popping up. However, after checking out at least half a dozen of them, and finding them very oddly complicated, I settled on one by Yolanda. Her blog link is at the top of the pattern. Hers is quick and simple to master, ever so easy. For my charity crafting team, quick-and-easy is our mantra!

Anyhow, here are photos of 3 lapghans I finished in this pattern. One is is with one size hook in Simply Soft, one in another hook with worsted, and the third in yet another hook size in worsted. Once I begin one of these, I just can't stop! It is addictive!

I'm pasting my adjusted version here, but if you prefer a pdf instead of copying/pasting, I will be happy to send you a pdf version - just leave a request in the comments below and your email/contact info... Oh, I truly do love this one... can you tell?

==========================

Page 1 of 2

Granny Ripple Stitch, Fast & Easy

by Yolanda on February 17, 2016

https://allcraftschannel.com/tag/granny-ripple

Note: I have adjusted Yolanda's original pattern to make it easier for my charity crafting group... you will find the original at the link above, as well as lots of others she's posted.

NOTE: MUST MAKE SMALL SWATCH TO CALCULATE BEGINNING CHAIN - SEE P.2- pattern is done working multiples of 18; suggested chain counts on p. 2.

(suggested hook: H for worsted)

 Chain 18

Row 1:  3dc in the 5th chain from the hook (loop on hook doesn’t count as a chain), skip 2 ch, 3dc in next ch, skip 2 chains, *[3dc, ch 3, 3dc] in next ch, [3dc in next chain] 2 times,**, skip next 5 chains,[ 3dc, skip next 2 chains] 2 times, rep from *across  to ** (end last rep at **) 1dc, in last chain

Row 2: ch 4, turn work, [3dc, in space between next two 3dc groups] 2 times,  * [3dc, ch 3, 3dc] in next ch-3 sp, [3dc between next two 3dc groups] 2 times,**, skip sp between next two 3dc group, [3dc, between next two groups of 3dc] two times, rep from * across to ** (end last rep at **) skip, next 3 dc, 1dc in top of 3rd ch (turning chain)

Repeat row 2 for pattern until finished.

 Page 2 of 2

Swatch and chain counts:

Make test swatch which is ONE point only (below)

Test Swatch

Ch 18

Row 1: 3dc in the 5th chain from the hook (loop on hook doesn’t count as a chain), skip 2 ch, 3dc in next ch, skip 2 chains, *[3dc, ch 3, 3dc] in next ch, [3dc in next chain] 2 times,**, skip next 5 chains,[ 3dc, skip next 2 chains] 2 times, rep from *across  to ** (end last rep at **) 1dc, in last chain

Row 2: ch 4, turn work, [3dc, in space between next two 3dc groups] 2 times,  * [3dc, ch 3, 3dc] in next ch-3 sp, [3dc between next two 3dc groups] 2 times,**, skip sp between next two 3dc group, [3dc, between next two groups of 3dc] two times, rep from * across to ** (end last rep at **) skip, next 3 dc, 1dc in top of 3rd ch (turning chain)

Repeat row 2 for pattern.

Starting chain, for width:

Measure test swatch across and decide how many "points" you need for your width

          Beginning chain must be multiples of 18, as here:

          1 pt, 18 ch

          2 pts, 36 ch

          3 pts, 54 ch

          4 pts, 72 ch

          5 pts, 90 ch

          6 pts, 108 ch

          7 pts, 126 ch

          8 pts, 144 ch

          9 pts, 162 ch

          10 pts, 180 ch

...and so on...

Length:

Make at least 4 or 5 rows high for gauge for how many rows for length

July 4th Fun Bags in the Making

Over the years, I grew into the habit of giving out little treat bags to about a dozen folks in our senior mobile home park. 

Depending on what I've got, what I've decided on,  and how late it took me to decide (sigh), it can vary as to who I can give these to. In the past it was often to the Office staff, our newsletter delivery team, our charity crafting team, and a few neighbors.

For some odd reason, I fell away from it and miss doing that. So I ended up putting on my thinking cap and decided to at least do it for this coming July 4th. I won't let the cat out of the bag too early. I am not sure how many I can finish and I don't want some folks expecting something I might not be able to deliver. But I promise to let you know what I ended up doing.

Back in 2016, my notes say I dropped off a crocheted white star coaster, a handmade laminated bookmark, some printed puzzles/quizzes from the internet, mini-food-kabobs... things like that.

On the best of those years, I often ended up putting together 12 to 15 bags and enjoyed it immensely. The number has dropped a bit over the years - folks move, folks pass away...and other things happen in real life.

Anyhow, I've been having fun today working on some crocheted items and I hope they turn out the way I plan them...can't wait to share a pic or two next week.

Rolling along...

Our Tally of 2018 Charity Crafting Distribution

Our little Charity Crafters group is happy to announce the 2018 totals for all that we made (crocheted, knitted, etc.) for the local needy last year. These are just the things we already gave out and distributed. We always have more that is being accumulated for when we have enough to drop off for distribution.

For babies and new moms in need:

Baby Hats - 82

Baby Blankets - 19

Baby Jackets - 29

Baby Bibs - 1

Baby Ponchos/Dresses - 17

And for our local and nearby homeless:

Hats - 382

Scarves - 175

Gloves - 56

Fleece ponchos - 9

And for a local VA center

Lap Covers/Afghans - 20

Shawls - 16

We are grateful for the yarn that’s been donated for these projects.

To date, we have made a total of 6,432 items for the local needy! 

We began April 9, 2009, nine years ago. Doing some quick math shows me that we are distributing about 600 items each year. Considering our member count varies between 4 and 8, and seems to average about 5, that is incredible in my eyes.

Plus our ladies love doing this. I love our ladies!

Crafting Projects to Start the Year Off...

Starting the year off with a few projects on tap.

Today I began a baby blanket and will add a hoodie sweater. Hope to finish it by month-end.

I also finished a few catnip mousies and hope to mail 2 plus some catnip fishies on Friday.

A friend wants some of my plastic canvas plastic ribbon crosses and I will be working on those for quite a while.

And I promised another friend to finish up some hanging towels I made from towels she loved but wasn't using because they weren't convenient.

So, you can bet between these projects, and my normal charity crafting, and the things I really do want to start making to create a stash for year-end gifts, I will be happily staying out of trouble.

Maybe ...

Building a Stash of Gifts - Not!

Every year, at this time, when I'm frantically putting together some hand-made token gifts for my local friends, I promise myself that THIS time, when New Year's Day rolls around, I will begin to build a stash of ready-to-go little token gifts. 

I promise myself - EVERY year... maybe one of these years, I will really manage to do that - ah, well - it's in my heart - now I must make it get to my hands! 

Homeless Projects Picked up and Delivered!

Crocheting and/or knitting projects for the local homeless is only one small, delightful step in a process. We've been in it now since April, 2009. We've learned a lot. We've learned to make it delightful and to keep it stress-free.

There are 3 steps in this process.

Step one is getting the yarn. Once you begin this, it is addictive. We started out using up our own scraps. We graduated to thrift shops, Craigslist and other sources and finally began getting wonderful yarn donations.

Step two is making the items. Some of our gals work with us on Friday mornings, others work from their homes and drop the things off. We insist that each team member makes it fun along the way - nobody makes anything out of their skill or happiness-range. We work patterns we know and love and everything must be washable and durable and warm.

Step three is often the most difficult - distribution. We have gone through many many ways of distributing our items. Once we had to stop one drop because we found our "things" on sale at a local thrift shop. Our sole purpose is to have our things end up directly on a homeless person's bod to keep them warm. These days, we are delighted to have a connection that distributes to two area priests, each one distributing directly to those in need.

Step three also involved stashing all the items until they can be dropped to our connection. This morning, we began that last process once again.

The photo shows 13 bags (13-gallon size) which I brought out of my house, down the steps and to the front of the driveway. From there, the team member who's been with me since we began, and her hubby, drove over and stuffed them all into their SUV. You can see him happily grabbing that last bag! From there, they drove to the next stop, the gal who will break them up according to each priest's need and get them to each priest.

Each person along the way contributes in their own unique and comfy way. We make two drops a year, usually.

Our count for this drop

Scarves - 116

Ear warmers - 63

Hats - 272

Gloves - 54

Thank you, Father, for each of these people and for their love and compassion!

August, September Distribution to Local Needy

Wow. Our team did well this summer. During August and September we hand made and distributed the following items to the local needy -

For Baby's Bounty for newborn to year-old babies in need (they distribute to over 100 local agencies):

Baby Hats - 71

Baby Blankets - 9

Baby Jackets - 29

Bibs - 1

Ponchos - 13

Dresses - 4

Quilts - 10

Bows/Headbands - 11

For the Veteran's Administration facility via a local contact:

Lap Covers - 9

Shawls/Shoulder Wraps - 16

Full size afghans - 2

We are grateful for the yarn that’s been donated for these projects.

And we are grateful for the chance to de-stress with our crochet and knit projects while helping others...

Update on the Octopus Cat Toys $10 Each

I finished the 5 on order for my neighbor - have 2 others to do. 

I’ve decided on $10 each for the price. I insist on cotton worsted rather than acrylic, for yarn. I also use pompoms instead of fiberfill (too easy for cats to pull it loose) or styrofoam (shreds too easily). 

The photo is of the ones I just finished. I have other variegated colors at home but when someone wants a specific color, I must drive 10 miles to get that yarn...

I do so enjoy making these and they do come out cute...

Octopus Cat Toy Orders - Starting Them This Weekend

Last Christmas season, I played with a “jellyfish cat toy” crochet pattern. I used cotton worsted because I feel cotton is better around pets and babies in case they suck on it. Anyhow, it is really cute. Must post a photo of the one Silkie loves, this week. I made 2 others for a friend with 2 cats.

She wants 5 by Thanksgiving. She’ll ship 4 abroad and 1 is for her sis who saw the ones I made.

I found some great variegated balls of Sugar and Cream on sale at Michael’s early this week, so I’ll start these, and probably finish them, this weekend. We had a time agreeing on the stuffing. I like pom-poms or batting because they are soft and they help the shape. My friend would like styrofoam balls because she felt the cats couldn’t pull those out. But we both agreed the styrofoam could break apart and be ingested later. We compromised on the pom-poms (I buy a bag full of them) or even batting, so long as I toss the catnip in at the end, and then sew the hole completely shut.

I love how these turn out so I can’t wait to do them and then show you all one or two...

Discovered a Treasure for Homeless Scarves

You all know I call this old mobile home my archaeological dig because of the clutter. Well, this Fri., Sat., and Sun., we have our Fall park wide yard sale. We have one in the Spring, too.

This time, I dug into a corner I haven’t “visited” for a long time. This time, though, I wanted to get the boxes of crochet, knit and craft magazines and patterns, and get them out of here.

Along the way, I had to move some other boxes.

Lo and behold, I found a “banana box” (if you’ve ever moved, you know those boxes) filled with pre-crocheted squares. There are several stacks of different size and different pattern squares. There are enough squares here, from what I saw quickly, to make at least 6 good scarves for the local homeless, about 48” long, similar to the one in the photo.

That’s about the length we stick to. It’s long enough to wrap around once, and even long enough for most folks to put the scarf over their head to cover their ears.

What a treat and what a treasure. Can’t wait for the weekend to be over to dig through it and lay out a few that will work.

Finally Packed/Documented Baby Charity Items

Yesterday I surprised myself by getting the finished baby items (jackets, caps, blankies, etc.) all sorted, packed, and documented. I then lugged those big bags out and down the few steps and shoved them into the trunk. That’s one way to make sure I get rid of them this coming week.

We really love making these things. Usually, it’s hats and baby jackets and blankets. Here are a few photos...

I’ll share the item count a little later. I am just so happy I finally got

them packed.

In fact, it left two small spaces inside the larger back closet, on the ground, each about the side of a double wide shoe box, and which Silkie quickly discovered while I was packing. She has now informed me that I need to open those closet doors during the day so she can do her hiding and make me search for her. Fun and games...

Working With Super Bulky Yarn

When we work on scarves for the local homeless, we try to stick to 8” to 10” wide, and about 48” long. That seems to be a good length for possible wrapping back around the neck and to the front at least once, or up over the head and down over the ears in strong winds, yet not be awkward when toting everything you’ve got in a cart or duffle.

These past few days, I’ve been cutting my charity crafting yarn stash by using the heaviest weight first. I’ve been on a roll with crocheting with super bulky weight (#6).

For this weight and these scarves, I use an N hook and make these a scant 8” across. The super bulky needs a simple stitch, usually a double crochet which is loose. If I make these too wide, or too complicated, they get extremely heavy and bulky and not as good out there on the street for manipulation several ways.

Finished a few this week. Might be down to the plain ol’ bulky by the weekend...will post some pics this weekend if I remember to take them.

Had to bring some balls/skeins into the living room and haul out my cheap little food scale - it’s the best I’ve found for quick weighing my partial skeins/balls. Whatever works, right?

2016 Distribution Totals

Once again, we surprised ourselves with our output. We were happy to see that we donated the following hand crocheted, knitted or loomed items for the local needy.

For Babies

Baby Hats        - 42

Baby Jackets    - 38

Baby Blankets  - 17

Baby Bibs         - 3

Baby Booties    - 4 pair

For the local Homeless:

Hats        - 538

Scarves   - 147

Gloves    - 32

Considering that this type of group changes constantly, we are always amazed at how much our slow and simple work adds up in a year’s time. We never pressure anyone in the group. We never insist on specific patterns, only certain qualities we need in these things (easy washing, durability, ends tucked in).

These days, we have two regulars (and I guess we could say “charter” members, here from the start) who meet each Friday morning, plus several absentee-members. The absentee-members are folks who cannot get to regular sessions but who love what they do. They pass along their projects whenever they finish something for those in need. And, again, it all adds up - slow and steady and happily.

Crochet (and Knitting) Fun & Games

If you have crocheted for a while (and this probably fits knitters, too), you have easily run into lots of fun and games while getting your hooks into the projects.

Friday mornings with the charity crafting group is relaxed and comfy and we’ve all been crocheting (and/or knitting) for a very long time. Along the way, we’ve all laughed (after we’ve cried, sometimes, in frustration) over the things we run into when working on our patterns.

We’ve kidded each other many times about these things.

Three come to mind quickly because we’ve just talked about them in the past week or two.

1 - Yarn skeins - Is there even one person who crochets (or knits) who has not cried silently while trying to find the end of the pull skein? You reach inside, feeling carefully, like a surgeon in somebody’s innards. Over and over, you try to find that sneaky end to pull. Finally, you yank a clump from inside the skein, praying that it’s a small clump, quick and easy to use up in this session. Often, it is. But just as often, you pull out a clump that’s almost the whole skein, and you still do not see that end to pull. What do we do? I think we’ve all done the same thing. We push that clump of yarn back inside (no small feat) and then start working off the skein the hard way - from the outside. Fun and games.

2 - Hook size differences - One of our gals was working a pattern and mentioned that it was the first time she’d ever seen a pattern calling for a G hook with two different measurements: 4.0 and 4.25 mm. You’d think a G hook would be the same - always - right? That made me look at the G hook in my own hand. This one was a 4.5 mm. Go figure. It can drive a crafter nuts. Imagine using one G in one location, and perhaps picking up a different G at another location to continue working the same project. That can be a real mess. Add to that, not all hooks have both: the letter and the measurement. Fun and games.

3 - Yarn differences - This same gal was on a roll with our favorite baby jacket pattern. We’ve both used this pattern a zillion times. This particular morning, she was finishing one and showed me the yarn label. It was a skein of Vanna. And it said “Baby.” Now most crocheters (and knitters) are used to yarn for babies saying either “baby fingering,” “baby sport,” or “baby worsted.” This just said “Baby” and suggested a J hook, which is a big hook for baby projects. When she was finished, the jacket was far bigger than the other two she had just completed. This was apparently a worsted weight but slightly thicker than normal and not yet a chunky. We’ve all been through the drill when trying to pick out yarn for a project, knowing that, even though they might all say worsted, Simply Soft and Pound of Love and Red Heart are all different. Unless you check the gauge before moving along, it can be a real mess (just as with the hook differences). Fun and games.

Anyhow, we just had fun thinking about the things we’ve all been through in our crafting efforts. 

We do it, of course, because we are addicted to it. 

We love it. 

And yes, even with the frustrations, we enjoy the fun and games that come with it.

Question About Cat Toy Stuffing Safety

Most times, when I crochet cat toys (I haven’t made many yet), I use cotton thread or cotton worsted rather than acrylic. For some odd reason, I feel if my cat, or any other cat, gets the yarn soaked from sucking or chewing on it, cotton is better than acrylic.

This week, I tried a new cat toy pattern and I didn’t have any of the suggested fiber fill to use for stuffing. I wasn’t even crazy about that idea. I ended up pushing 3 large pom poms inside of it. Even then, I’m not happy with the pom poms.

Cutting a washcloth or towel for stuffing would make it too heavy a toy. Felt doesn’t make me happy, either.

I’ve been thinking about cheesecloth but that is very light weight and I’d have to use a lot, a LOT, to puff out this toy. But I could use the cheesecloth to enclose a less-safe filling, I think. So, maybe a plastic grocery bag bunched up (or tissue wrapping paper?) stuffed inside a cheesecloth pouch/bag?

Anyhow, my question, my friends…

Do you have any ideas on safe stuffing for cat toys? 

This one is about twice as wide as a common stuffed mousie toy, so beans or seeds of any sort would make it too heavy and awkward for kitties to play with it.

Feedback welcome…

Donated Yarn in Bad Condition - a Real Challenge

We "inherited" a small amount of light/mint green balls of yarn for our charity crafting group last week. There were 4 balls that were perhaps 3 oz each.

I planned to add them to our charity crafting donation stash. We each keep it separate from our personal stash of yarn.

Something made me check it out. Turns out is must be wool because every so many yards, it's like a critter ("moth" obviously) nibbled the yarn. I decided to use it right away.

This was a real challenge. I knew I'd need to cut and re-join many times with each ball. At first I tried the Russian Join (link here) but even that was too much trouble because the stretches of good yarn were not very long. I ended up simply knotting the two ends together and crocheting over them.

I had decided to work it into our favorite fingerless glovespattern. I was able to make 4 pairs - small, medium, large, extra large. It is a little lumpy in some places. It would not work for a gift or for my Etsy shop, but it will work very well for cold hands in our desert cold this winter.

The gloves are sturdy, and the wool makes them very warm for that particular type of recipient.

I'll toss them into a bag with a cedar ball until we give out the first batch of things to the homeless, probably sometime next month.

I'm so glad I followed my instincts on this.