The Worsted Weight Crochet Gaiter

Published: April 17, 2023  ~   0

Happy Monday, T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family! This is the Worsted Weight Crochet Gaiter, compliments of our staff at T.H.R.I.V.E. HQ! This gaiter is quick to craft, quite economical in the yarn needed, and comfortably fits under a jacket for our underprivileged veterans and their dependents. It can be as warm as a scarf, but less of the bulk. Here is how to make it:

The Worsted Weight Crochet Gaiter

Abbreviations:

Ch = Chain(s)

Sl st = Slip stitch

Hdc = Half double crochet

St(s) = Stitch(es)

Fphdc = Front post half double crochet

Bphdc = Back post half double crochet

Gauge: Chain 11, hdc into second chain from hook, 1 hdc in each ch to the remaining 9 sts. It should measure 3 inches in length. Adjust the amount of chains and/or hook size accordingly to meet 3 inches. If adjustments were needed, use those same adjustments to augment the pattern.

Ch 71. Join first ch with sl st, making sure not to twist the ch when joining the ends.

Foundation row: Ch 1, place stitch marker, 1 hdc in each st around (70), sl st into first st.

Row 1: Ch 1, fphdc around the first hdc from the foundational row. *Bphdc around the next. Fphdc around next.* Rep *…* to marker (70), sl st into first st.

Row 2-25: Ch 1, fphdc around the previous row’s first post. *Bphdc around the next. Fphdc around the next. Rep *…* to marker (70), sl st into first st. At the end of Row 25, fasten off after the sl st and weave in the ends.

Tips: If you have never tried Front post half double crochets (fphdc) and Back post half double crochets (bphdc), don’t worry – they are much easier than they sound! Here is a picture of what going through the front post looks like:

And here is a picture of what going through the back post looks like (note that the work is being tilted toward the camera to show the back post, thus effectively is a top down view):

Colors

Published: April 10, 2023  ~   0

Happy Monday, dear T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family! We have been getting a number of  questions recently about acceptable colors for donated garments. We know that it is Spring and our wonderful volunteers and donors are really excited to break out their lovely Springtime colored yarns, fabrics, etc. Trust us, we love bright colors too! 

However, we here at T.H.R.I.V.E. Association are all about the veteran community that we serve. As beautiful as bright colors and pastels are, we have to keep the recipients’ preferences in mind. Through the years that we have been in operation, we have found that the veterans and their dependents prefer darker colors of blue, black, green, grey, and camouflage. If you are feeling particularly bold, both red or royal purple have also been very popular.

Next week, we will be introducing a new crocheted gaiter pattern, pictured above, created by the our awesome team! If you are a knitter, we also have the same pattern in knit coming at you in the following weeks! So, stay tuned! 

In the Crafting Lab

Published: April 3, 2023  ~   0

Happy Monday, dear T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family! We are currently hard at work in the crafting lab, and we’ve got lots of great new patterns and techniques coming your way in the coming weeks! We’ve got knitting, crocheting, and even loom patterns and techniques coming soon, so stay tuned!

Have Crafting, Will Travel

Published: March 27, 2023  ~   0

Happy Monday, dear T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family! It’s time to restock! After serving the veterans and their dependents at the Alachua county Stand Down in Gainesville, FL, we’re fresh out of hats, scarves, etc.! While we are thrilled by this (as it means that we met our goal), we now need to start building up our inventory of lovingly hand-crafted goods for the next Stand Downs.

If you’d like to donate a hat, scarf, face mask, or other handcrafted garment to our cause, please remember that the dear veterans and their dependents prefer dark colors, e.g. blue, black, green, grey, and all-time favorite, camouflage. If you would like to knit, crochet, or sew a garment in a brighter color, red or deep purple are always popular bright colors. We cannot emphasize this important point enough: please do not use sparkly or overly decorative yarns and fabrics. While they have their place, they are simply inappropriate for the veterans and their dependents (including children because of potential choking hazards). 

If you are not a crafter, but would like to help, there are still many ways to support our cause! Please consider donating materials and/or making a monetary donation to help us cover the costs of materials, shipping, and overhead.

If you need yarn, or other supplies, please contact us through email at thriveassociation@thrivevets.org or by phone at (469) 427-9654. Please be aware that any communications are recorded. If you have donations and cannot make it to one of our in-person knitting groups, we are still continuing our policy of curbside pickup. Please contact us to schedule a pickup if you are in the DFW area. If you reside outside the DFW area and would like to make an in-kind donation, please contact us to make arrangements. Remember, even one lovingly handcrafted hat or scarf can make a huge difference in the life of an underprivileged veteran or their dependent(s).

Big Shout Out to The Finest Accessories, Inc.

Published: March 20, 2023  ~   0

Happy Monday, dear T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family! We would like to thank The Finest Accessories, Inc.(Parent company of France Luxe and L. Erickson) for their very generous donation of 2,134 beautifully crafted face masks. We are still sending out hundreds of our handcrafted face masks to each Stand Down that we serve, so this donation is much needed and very appreciated! We are so grateful!

We Did It!

Published: March 13, 2023  ~   0

Happy Monday, dear T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family! We all did it! We were able to gift our lovingly hand-crafted items to the underprivileged veterans and their dependents at the Alachua County Veterans Center in Gainesville, Florida this past week. We couldn’t have done it without all of the support and hard work from our donors, crafters, and staff! We’re sending out a heartfelt thanks to all of you who helped to make this happen, as well as to our partners at the Alachua County Veterans Center! Thank you!

The Calm Before the Storm

Published: March 6, 2023  ~   0

Happy Monday, dear T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family! It’s the calm before the storm, as we’re sending our lovingly hand crafted garments to Gainesville, FL this week!

Final Call for Florida Donations

Published: February 27, 2023  ~   0

Happy Monday, dear T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family! We are sending our lovingly handcrafted goods to Alachua County, Gainesville, Florida next week (the week of March 6, 2023) for their annual Stand Down. We still desperately need lap blankets and slippers. If you have donations that you would like to contribute to our cause for this Stand Down, please contact our office at (469) 427-9654 or via email at thriveassociation@thrivevets.org so that we can arrange for a pick up.

Presidents’ Day 2023

Published: February 20, 2023  ~   0

Happy Presidents’ Day, dear T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family! We here at T.H.R.I.V.E. HQ endeavor to follow President Abraham Lincoln’s lead when he said “to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan.” We are resolute in providing lovingly hand-crafted garments for as many underprivileged veterans and their dependents as possible. Please support us in our mission!

Next Stand Down

Published: February 13, 2023  ~   0

Happy Monday, dear T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family! We have a huge Stand Down right around the corner! One of our long-time community partners, Alachua County, Florida is hosting their annual Stand Down in less than one month! This is one of the larger Stand Downs that we serve.  If you would like to contribute, we are still accepting donations for the veterans and their dependents who are set to attend this event. For this particular Stand Down, apart from our usual call for hats, scarves, mittens, etc. we desperately need lap blankets and slippers.

If you’d like to donate a hat, scarf, face mask, or other handcrafted garment to our cause, please remember that the dear veterans and their dependents prefer dark colors, e.g. blue, black, green, grey, and all-time favorite, camouflage. If you would like to knit, crochet, or sew a garment in a brighter color, red or deep purple are always popular bright colors. We cannot emphasize this important point enough: please do not use sparkly or overly decorative yarns and fabrics. While they have their place, they are simply inappropriate for the veterans and their dependents (including children because of potential choking hazards). 

If you are not a crafter, but would like to help, there are still many ways to support our cause! Please consider donating materials and/or making a monetary donation to help us cover the costs of materials, shipping, and overhead. Please remember you can support our cause by shopping on AmazonSmile. See the “Shop for Our Cause” blog post for additional information.

If you need yarn, or other supplies, please contact us through email at thriveassociation@thrivevets.org or by phone at (469) 427-9654. Please be aware that any communications are recorded. If you have donations and cannot make it to one of our in-person knitting groups, we are still continuing our policy of curbside pickup. Please contact us to schedule a pickup if you are in the DFW area. If you reside outside the DFW area and would like to make an in-kind donation, please contact us to make arrangements. Remember, even one lovingly handcrafted hat or scarf can make a huge difference in the life of an underprivileged veteran or their dependent(s).