by Bev Morgan
Our outreach project this weekend, something you can do as “down time” or while visiting with friends, is making scarves, hats, and washcloths for the homeless. If you enjoy knitting or crocheting, I hope you’ll grab some yarn and take on a project. If you don’t knit or crochet, you might find it easy to use a loom, and I brought 2 – a small round one for making baby hats and a larger oblong one for making scarves.
Scarves are easy. They need to be about 8 to 10 inches wide and about as long as you are tall, as you want the recipient to be able to wrap it around the neck at least twice for warmth. Fringe is optional. Larger hooks or needles help you make them fast.
Hats are a little trickier. The last one I made became a tea cozy because it didn’t shape very well, but don’t let that stop you. The loom makes it very easy also. (And, hey, what’s wrong with tea cozies?)
Washcloths? Yes, made out of cotton yarn and pretty quick to complete. When done, you can package them with a bar of soap, a toothbrush and a comb, and you’ll make a homeless person very happy. I’ve separated the cotton yarn from the others, and made one (or two) to get you started. Small needles or crochet hooks are best for these.
So how did I get so inspired? I met a woman who makes hats, scarves, slippers and washcloths for the homeless. She’s been collecting yarn for 5 years and has an amazing supply; I left her home with 2 large bags-full and barely made a dent. But what she really gave me was inspiration! I brought lots of yarn with me (plus knitting needles and crochet hooks), and maybe some of you did as well. We’ll put all the yarn and supplies together on a table in the Dining Hall, and I hope you’ll be as inspired as I was.
And if you need more inspiration, google “easy crochet (or knit) patterns” and you’ll have more ideas than you ever thought possible.