NorthCrest Gala

Hi all! I have exciting news! I have been approached about donating items for auction for the NorthCrest Gala. NorthCrest is a local community hospital near me. They have several programs that are free to their patients and the community one of which is CampTAG a grief camp for children who have lost a loved one.

They are having an auction and she says that hand made items usually sell very well, so wanted to see if we would be interested. I am still working on getting more information and will be blogging about it as I get it. So stay tuned in!!

This is what I know about it, they will be auctioning off these items to the highest bidder and the money goes to the NorthCrest Foundation. The auction will go live (online) on October 25th, ideally would like to have the items a couple weeks before to get them on and so people can start looking at what they want. The gala is not until November.

Let me know if any of you are interested in this. Of course if you have your own shops/sell your own stuff we can attach your card and information to it. It will also have donated to/by Knits for Needs and your information--however it is best to put both identifications on there. If you send things please let me know where you would like to donate them if you have a preference.

Any thoughts or ideas let me know! You can email me or respond here! Look forward to hearing from any of you!

Keep the yarn flying,
Michelle

P.S. Still collecting for the Martha O'Bryan center, it is usually cold around here by Halloween, so plan to donate these items to them, maybe mid-October! I'll try to tally a count soon. Anyone need yarn?

What I have been up to...

Hi all! So I started knitting mittens without a pattern. So this is my first pair without a pattern; I cast on 24 stitches the cuff is ribbed and on from there.

So, I naturally thought that if I cast on 16 stitches that I would get a glove that was about child size. This is what I ended up with, which I think is hilarious!

I guess they would fit an infant, but usually those little mitts don't have thumbs!

Also, I have a monster for Hope Gardens. My 5yo helped with the colors and design. She has good ideas.

Here are some little preemie hats, it is hard to see how big they are... the little pink one is about 1in wide and 2in high. They are knit ribbed, so they stretch a lot. I knit these from a pattern and sizing guidelines from Bev's Country cottage. I have a link to her website on the sidebar to the left (the first one) if anyone is interested in some guidance on how big a preemie head is. She also has sizes for each tiny preemie, little bit bigger preemie, infant, child, etc.

Some washclothes and hat, I'm crushing on mitered squares right now....

Hope this finds you all well and knitting/crocheting like crazy!!

KYF,
Michelle

Martha O'Bryan Center

Hi all. Just wanted to remind you all that I am still collecting for the Martha O'Bryan center in Nashville, TN. They serve about 4000 people a year and 1000 of them are children. It would be great to get little hats and mittens for all of there little heads and hands!! I know it's a tall order, but I think we can do it!!

And remember if you need yarn I have some, just email me your address to knitsforneeds@gmail.com.

Keep the yarn flying!!!

Michelle

interview follow up

The interview is done. Hope this gets Knits for Needs out there more so we can help more people with our knitting/crocheting!! Thanks to those who commented. I will let you know more later when I know.

The book Crafty Girls Talk should be published some time in September, the author Jennifer Forest tells me. You can follow her on twitter @Jen_forest. She has other published books, too--Jane Austen's Sewing Box, Jane Austen's Door  and Confessions of My Friends. 


Hope all is well and everyone's happily knitting away!

Michelle

interview

Hi all. I just wanted to update you on the goings on. Our item count is at 40 right now! Thank you so much for all the donations and time that you guys put in. I will for sure find homes for them, what we have now will go to the Martha O'Bryan Center here in Nashville. I do have a few preemie hats that I have knit up that I will find homes for.

I still have lots of yarn for anyone who needs some. If you would like to donate for us, but don't have a yarn stash or would like to knit of some of the yarn I have and send it back, please email me at knitsforneeds@gmail.com with your mailing address and name and I will get it out to you ASAP!

Also, I have been contacted by Jennifer F. about "putting together a book of interviews of crafty girls from around the world, exploring how people take their creativity and love of craft (be that knitting, crochet, scrapbooking, sewing etc)." I happily agreed to do this and hope the word will get out about what we are and what we do even more than it already is. I will keep you up to date about this process and try to get a link or something to the interview. If there is anything you think needs to be mentioned about KFN, let me know here or by email.

One of the questions was how it got started and that prompted me to reviews the last several years in detail and all I can say is WOW!! Way to go Meridith and all the fantastic knitters/crocheters out there!!! You guys are fantastic. 2009--634 items donated. 2010--1070 items donated and 2011--418 items. You all are truly amazing!!

A question on here for you gals/guys is, "what motivates your knitters?" Let me know by twitter @knitsforneeds or knitsforneeds@gmail.com or reply here. I'm excited to hear from you!

Keep the yarn flying,
Michelle

June givings/updates

Hi all!! Lots of great things happening at KFN!! First of all I'd like to go 2 posts back and get some promised pictures of those beautiful tunisian knit hats!! I got some close ups here, too. Hopefully you can see them well enough to appreciate them.

Now back one post.... WE GOT YARN BOMBED!!!!!!! So fantastic!! From Melanie in Kansas!!!! I can't even believe the amount of yarn we have been bombed with from her. Here are some of the pictures, two big boxes that seem bottomless. These pictures don't quite do them justice, but this is awesome! Some people have asked me for yarn, will try to send it out soon! Anyone else interested in knitting some of this yarn up and sending it back email me and let me know how many skeins/balls you want, we have been blessed!! 

Also, I received some knit things from Carol in Hawaii. She knit up some cutie bears, a pirate monster and washclothes that will go to the Martha O'Bryan center! They will love them! My 5 yo daughter said "these bears are so cutie" then said "wow, Mom this is a lot of knitting time, that's so nice." And I think she has it right. Thank you, Carol!





 I am humbled by the outpouring of giving from you all this month.

Keep the yarn flying,
michelle

Hi all. I am soliciting for yarn! I have some eager yarners who would love to take your donated yarn and create items for Knits for Needs. If any of you have any yarn you would like to donate or just any stashed yarn you want to get rid of, please, send it my way and I'll get it to them!! Happy yarning!!

KYF,
michelle

more stuff and monsters

Hi all! It is so wonderful to stop by the post office and find a box from one of you!!! Today 14! hats from Lynne in GA with promises of more to come. Thanks, Lynne! They are so beautiful! (what is that pattern by the way? I love it!)
I would attach some lovely photos, but I can't get my new camera to act right. I'll get them on here when I can.

Also, There is a lady name Bonnie on Ravelry that collects knit/crochet monsters for Hope Gardens (a shelter for abused women and their children). She says they house about 49 children right now, but obviously this is dynamic. I would like us to send some monsters her way!! If you all want to get in on this just send the monsters to the Knits for Needs address and I will get them to her when I collect some. Looks like she donates around the holidays, so now is making and collecting time before we get into our own holiday knitting! If you want to check her out on ravelry look up Monsters for Hope Gardens. There is also a forum started there with the same name if it is easier for you to comment that way. Of course you can always email me at knitsforneeds@gmail.com or comment on twitter @knitsforneeds.
Thanks for all support and followings! Happy yarn working!

Keep the yarn flying,
Michelle

donation site

Hi all! Amanda at the Martha O'Bryan center contacted me and they would be glad to get anything we can give them. They serve about 4000 individuals a year 1000 of those are children. I was thinking we could make stuffed toys for the children, they do request that the stuffed items are new for health reasons. Also, we could donate some hats and scarves to them when the weather starts to get cooler again around here. They could use washclothes, too.

I know this is a tall order, but we can do what we can and we may surprise ourselves!! Let me know what you think or any ideas you may have. Thanks for being a part of this!

Keep the yarn flying,
michelle

places to donate

Hi all!
I just wanted let everyone know what I've been up to... doing some research on who may need our help in the Nashville area. I have come up with a couple things.
The first is called the Monroe Harding Home, it has been an orphanage since 1843, they house children and teens. They also have stepwise programs and housing for older teens/young adults that helps them transition into independent living. It says they are always in need of clothes, toiletries, household items, et al. I thought maybe they could use some of our hats, scarves and maybe we could knit/crochet them up some wash clothes and maybe some toys as well. I contacted them to see if they thought these kinds of things would be helpful to them. I'll let you know what they say! If you want to take a look at their website: www.monroeharding.org

The next is called the Martha O'Bryan Center. It serves the impoverished people of east Nashville. They "empowers children, youth, and adults in poverty to transform their lives through work, education, employment and fellowship." They have daycare, afterschool programs, tutoring and mentoring among other things. I have also contacted them. Will keep you updated. Here is their website: www.marthaobryan.org

There are some others I am still working on. I am open to ideas and value your input! Thanks for your support and donation!

'til next time!
Keep the yarn flying!
Michelle