Bridge and Beyond | Help the Homeless with Crochet | Guest Free Pattern Post
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December Charity Spotlight with Marie | Bridge and Beyond | Guest Post
I’m Marie Segares from Underground Crafter, and I’m returning to Oombawka Design for another post in my charity crochet series. Today, I’ll highlight a charity that accepts crochet projects, along with a free pattern, so read on for details.
December’s Featured Organization: Bridge and Beyond
Winters in Central Ohio can be brutally cold, and the Bridge and Beyond Project has rallied crocheters and other crafters to support homeless adults, families living in shelters, and others in need. This organization is an entirely volunteer-run, grass roots effort to help people in Central Ohio.
The Bridge and Beyond accepts a wide variety of handmade items, including hats, scarves, mittens, slippers, cotton washcloths, and blanket squares or completed blankets, as well as new and unused (store-bought) personal care items. Contact Sandy at sandycrochet AT gmail DOT com for mailing instructions.
Tips for Making Great Projects for Homeless People
Although the Bridge and Beyond donates projects to many people in need, follow these tips to create projects that will allow the most flexibility for distribution.
First, choose smooth yarns in solid, dark colors. As Sandy mentions, “Homeless People do not like to call attention to themselves with bright, wild clothing.” Dark colors also hide wear more easily and many of the recipients of these projects may not have access to laundering facilities. Sandy recommends using machine washable acrylic yarn for most projects.
Next, while crocheting, be sure to weave in your yarn tails securely with a yarn needle or crochet hook. Do not knot your yarn tails as this may cause projects to unravel with frequent use.
Choose solid stitch patterns that provide maximum coverage and warmth, like the Under the Bridge Hat. Avoid lacy stitch patterns.
While the Bridge and Beyond doesn’t specify that particular patterns should be used, their site includes answers to Frequently Asked Questions about recommended projects, as well as more detailed information about blankets, cotton washcloths, hats, mittens, scarves, and slippers. Always include your email address, so your donation can be acknowledged, and a personal note to the recipient is welcomed, too.
Under the Bridge Hat
Crochet Pattern by Underground Crafter
Finished Sizes
- Adult small (Adult large).
- Adult small: 21.25” (54 cm) circumference, 8.5” (21.5 cm) length.
- Adult large: 23.5” (59.5 cm) circumference, 9” (23 cm) length.
Materials
- Lion Brand Heartland Thick & Quick (5 oz/142 g/125 yds/114 m/100% acrylic) – 1 (1, 1, 1, 2, 2) skeins in 126 Sequoia, or approximately 125 yds/114 m (125 yds/114 m, 125 yds/114 m, 125 yds/114 m, 250 yds/228 m, 250 yds/228 m) in any super bulky weight yarn.
- US Size L-11 (8 mm) crochet hook, or any size needed to obtain gauge.
- Yarn needle.
- Locking stitch marker or scrap yarn.
Gauge
- Rnds 1-5 in pattern = 4” (10 cm). For best fit, always check your gauge.
Abbreviations Used in This Pattern
- BL – back loop only
- ch – chain
- ea – each
- hdc – half double crochet
- rep – repeat
- Rnd(s) – Round(s)
- sc – single crochet
- sl st – slip stitch
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- * Rep instructions after asterisks as indicated.
Pattern Notes
- Hat is worked in rounds in continuous spirals without joining. Move stitch marker up each round to mark last st.
- Work stitches into back (third) loop of half double crochet stitches when indicated.
Pattern Instructions
Hat
- Beginning at crown, start with magic adjustable ring. (Oombawka Design has a great magic ring tutorial here).
- Rnd 1: Ch 1, 6 sc in ring, pull yarn tail tightly to close ring, place marker in last st. (6 sts)
- Rnd 2: 2 hdcBL in ea st around. (12 sts)
- Rnd 3: *2 hdcBL in next st, hdcBL in next st; rep from * around. (18 sts)
- Rnd 4: *2 hdcBL in next st, hdcBL in next 2 sts; rep from * around. (24 sts)
- Rnd 5: *2 hdcBL in next st, hdcBL in next 3 sts; rep from * around. (30 sts) NEWBORN SIZE ONLY: Continue to Rnd 11.
- Rnd 6: *2 hdcBL in next st, hdcBL in next 4 sts; rep from * around. (36 sts) INFANT SIZE ONLY: Continue to Rnd 11.
- Rnd 7: *2 hdcBL in next st, hdcBL in next 5 sts; rep from * around. (42 sts) TODDLER SIZE ONLY: Continue to Rnd 11.
- Rnd 8: *2 hdcBL in next st, hdcBL in next 6 sts; rep from * around. (48 sts) CHILD SIZE ONLY: Continue to Rnd 11.
- Rnd 9: *2 hdcBL in next st, hdcBL in next 7 sts; rep from * around. (54 sts) ADULT SMALL SIZE ONLY: Continue to Rnd 11.
- Rnd 10: *2 hdcBL in next st, hdcBL in next 8 sts; rep from * around. (60 sts)
- Rnd 11: HdcBL in ea st around.
- Rep Rnd 11 until hat measures approximately 5”/13 cm (6.5”/16.5 cm, 7”/18 cm, 8”/20.5 cm, 8.5”/21.5 cm, 9”/23 cm) length from crown.
- Rnd 12: Sc in ea st around, join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.
Finishing
- With yarn needle, weave in ends on inside of hat.
© 2015 Marie Segares (Underground Crafter). Published with permission on Oombawka Design.
Marie Segares is a crochet and knitting designer, teacher, and blogger, and the Proprietress of the Underground Crafter. Please visit her at one of the following links:
Facebook | Pinterest | Website
Or, check out her profile and additional Guest Posts on the Oombawka Design Contributor Page.
On behalf of the Oombawka Design readers, and myself, I would like to Thank Marie for sharing December’s Featured Organization, Bridge and Beyond. This post is filled with lots of excellent information about making great projects for those in need, as well as, the free crochet pattern for the Under the Bridge Hat.
I recently had the opportunity to ask Marie some questions to get to know her better – you can check out the answers and 20 free crochet patterns from her collection right here: Marie Segares | Underground Crafter | Designer Spotlight
Check out the other Charity Spotlights and Free Patterns here:
