Happy Tuesday, dear T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family! Craft yourself a smile and make a veteran’s day.
Stand Downs
Happy Friday, T.H.R.I.V.E. Association Family! We are preparing for several Stand Downs that are right around the corner. With that being said, we need hats, scarves, mittens, etc. so please keep crafting. Over the upcoming weeks we will be posting some of our favorite free crochet hat patterns for our wonderful crocheters.
If you would like to donate a hat, scarf, 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 is always a popular bright color. 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 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).
An Important Covid Update
Good morning T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family! Yesterday, May 13, 2021, many of us saw the new CDC guidelines regarding “fully vaccinated people not needing to wear masks any longer”. We understand that many members of our fantastic T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family are tired of masks and social distancing. We are all really missing in-person interaction and the warm smiles of fellow crafters, veterans, and friends. However, we must ask for your continued patience. Many of our community partners, as well as those who T.H.R.I.V.E. Association answers to, have again asked us to please continue to observe COVID-19 safety protocols and continue to do our part in stopping the spread of this deadly virus. Please keep in mind that the wonderful community that we serve is a very vulnerable population- many of whom may not be vaccinated yet and/or may be immunocomprimised (meaning that the vaccine might not be as effective). Observing the “Hands, Face, Space” guidelines are truly an act of love and are just as much for others as they are for you.
Due to the nature of the very vulnerable population that T.H.R.I.V.E. Association serves and the fact that not all of our members are fully vaccinated and/or are immunocomprimised, we will still require masks for our Organization’s members, volunteers, etc. And, to ensure maximum safety for both our staff and volunteers, as well as the vulnerable population that we serve, our staff will continue working remotely or in small, controlled groups in well-ventilated environments. Further, we will notbe hosting indoor gatherings until at least mid-July.
We would like to reiterate that for those who want in-person crafting groups, we would be willing to have OUTDOOR weekly, or bi-weekly, morning meetings. Crafters would be required to bring their own lawn chairs, have a mask if personal crafting instruction is needed, and observe the “6 foot Rule”. Alternatively, we would be open to hosting virtual meetings which would ensure maximum safety for everyone involved. Please contact us if you would be interested in taking part in either an outdoor or a virtual knitting group.
Although several of the Stand Downs that we support have been postponed or have had to be altered to keep our communities safe in this current pandemic, we are still collecting goods that will be sent to the various V.A.s throughout the year so please, please keep crafting! 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: https://thrivevets.org/index.php/2021/03/19/shop-for-our-cause/ If you need yarn, or other supplies, please contact us through email at thriveassociation@thrivevets.org or by phone at (469) 427-9654. If you have donations, 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.
We thank you so much for your understanding and patience during this trying time.
COVID-19 Update
Happy Friday, dear T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family! We understand that many members of our fantastic T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family have “Covid fatigue”. We are all really missing in-person interaction with fellow crafters, veterans, and friends. However, we must ask for your continued patience. Many of our community partners, as well as those who T.H.R.I.V.E. Association answers to, have time and again asked us to please continue to observe COVID-19 safety protocols.
For those who want in-person crafting groups, we would be willing to have OUTDOOR weekly, or bi-weekly, morning meetings. Crafters would be required to bring their own lawn chairs, have a mask if personal crafting instruction is needed, and observe the “6 foot Rule”. Alternatively, and we highly recommend this option, we would be open to hosting virtual meetings which would ensure maximum safety for everyone involved.
Please understand, we are not being arbitrary, as this is not an easy decision. We are just as eager as our fellow T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family members to return to “normal”. However, at this stage that is simply not an option. We need to continue to do our part in stopping the spread of this deadly virus. Please also keep in mind that the wonderful community that we serve is a very vulnerable population- many of whom may not have yet had their vaccines. Observing the so-called “Hands, Face, Space” guidelines are truly an act of love and are just as much for others as they are for you. With all of this said, we here at T.H.R.I.V.E. Association will still continue to enforce and observe the recommended COVID-19 safety measures to do our part in stopping the spread. We ask that our wonderful community continue to support us in this. We are so close now. Please stay strong!
As a disclaimer, as with most other Organizations that we partner with, two of our Board/Staff Members are fully vaccinated now, but some of our other Members are not. We respect that they have not yet had their turn for the jab and want to limit their exposure to potential threats. Just because some of us have been fortunate to have had the vaccine, that does not mean that we are immune from contracting COVID-19.
“It typically takes a few weeks for the body to build immunity (protection against the virus that causes COVID-19) after vaccination. That means it’s possible a person could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 just before or just after vaccination and still get sick.”1
Further, according to the CDC, there is currently no definitive answer one way or the other to say whether or not a vaccinated person can transmit the virus.2 Stay strong, stay safe, and don’t be afraid to reach out; we are always here for you.
1 “Myths and Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 15 Apr. 2021, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/facts.html
2 “When You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2 Apr. 2021, www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html.
There is Light at the End of the Tunnel!
We are one step closer to beating Covid-19 and getting back to normal! Yesterday, two of our board members received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine!
A Closer Look at the Double Moss Stitch Scarf
We wanted to share some additional photos of our Double Moss Stitch Scarf. Here’s one in the making! Please follow the link below to our blog post on this pattern as well as some useful tips.
If you would like to knit this scarf for our cause, please remember to make sure that any donated scarves are at least 60 inches (152.4 cm) in length so that the wearer can wrap it around themselves comfortably. Also, remember that the dear veterans and their dependents prefer dark colors, e.g. blue, black, green, grey, and all-time favorite, camouflage. We cannot emphasize this important point enough; please do not use sparkly or overly decorative yarns. While they have their place, they are simply inappropriate for the veterans and their dependents (including children because of choking hazards).
Although several of the Stand Downs that we support have been postponed or have had to be altered to keep our communities safe in this current pandemic, we are still collecting goods that will be sent to the various V.A.s throughout the year so please, please keep crafting! 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. If you have donations, 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 can make a huge difference in the life of an underprivileged veteran or their dependent.
A Thanks to Red Cross
Happy Friday! We would like to offer a heartfelt thank you to the DFW Chapter of the American Red Cross. We are so grateful for their continued support of our mission to provide handcrafted goods to our nation’s homeless veterans and their dependents. Their lovely handcrafted hats and scarves are sure to be a big hit at the upcoming Stand Downs.
Although several of the Stand Downs that we support have been postponed or have had to be altered to keep our communities safe in this current pandemic, we are still collecting goods that will be sent to the various V.A.s throughout the year so please, please keep crafting! 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. If you have donations, 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 can make a huge difference in the life of an underprivileged veteran or their dependent(s).
Red Heart Ribbed Knit Beanie
Happy New Year to our wonderful T.H.R.I.V.E. community! To kick off the new year, here is a free pattern from Yarnspirations – the Red Heart Ribbed Knit Beanie. The pattern is available at:
Simply click the “download free pattern” button on the right and it will open a pdf of the pattern in a new tab.
At first glance, this pattern might look a little challenging, but it is in truth a great pattern for most knitters who are looking for something new, or maybe just for something to challenge them. The 1×1 rib creates a beautiful texture that stretches well and the crown looks so very unique while being relatively easy to accomplish. The pattern calls for the hat to be knit on size U.S. 6 (4 mm) needles which creates a nice tight weave. Despite the photo given in the actual pattern (which could be a little misleading), the hat does stretch quite well to accommodate most, if not all, adult heads. And, as many of our supporters know, our garments are going as far north as Alaska, where a nice tight weave is really the only way to go.
Like many patterns from Yarnspirations/Red Heart, this pattern lends itself quite nicely to yarn substitution. We substituted the recommended Heat Wave yarn with Red Heart Camouflage worsted weight (4) yarn that had been graciously donated by one of our awesome supporters. Camouflage is a big favorite among the community that we serve! After all, part of the fun of making and giving handcrafted garments is knowing that the recipient will love it and be proud to wear their new gift(s). We do aim to please our veterans and their dependents who absolutely love our handcrafted camouflage goods.
Pro tip: if you have a jog at the cast on round when you join, cast on an extra stitch (e.g. the pattern calls for you to cast on 96 stitches, instead cast on 97). When you are ready to join in the round, (first, make sure not to twist your stitches) slip the first stitch on your left needle to the right needle. Now pass the extra stitch that you cast on (the 97th one) over the first stitch. Then, move the first stitch back to the left needle and knit as usual. You should now have the original cast on number of stitches (e.g. 96 stitches). This creates a nice and tidy cast on round, especially when the cuff is turned up.
Although several of the Stand Downs that we support have been postponed or have had to be altered to keep our communities safe in this current pandemic, we are still collecting goods that will be sent to the various V.A.s throughout the year so please, please keep crafting! 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. If you have donations, 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 can make a huge difference in the life of an underprivileged veteran or their dependent.
We’ve Got Football Fever!
When serving in numerous Stand Downs, we have found that our underprivileged veterans have a tendency to avoid colorful garments because they are deemed too loud. We strive to give the veterans what they want, which are garments in blues, blacks, greens, grays, and (our most popular) camouflage. However, as crafters we love our colorwork! What is a T.H.R.I.V.E. crafter to do? We have a solution that has proven to be successful – Show some team spirit! Our staff has put together a handy chart of some popular football teams to help spur some inspiration! We’ve still got Stand Downs coming up, so please keep sending in your donations.
DROPS Florence Hat & Neck Warmer
We would like to take a moment to say goodbye to a beloved mother, friend, and devoted volunteer, Mrs. Anne Walker. She had been with T.H.R.I.V.E. Association almost from the beginning and had championed our cause at every opportunity. She will be remembered for her warm hugs, perseverance, and her maternal love for all of us. Rest in peace, Mom. We love you.
Mrs. Anne Walker: September 1964- August 2017
This week’s free pattern is a beautiful set, developed by Drops, called “Florence”. Although we admit that this pattern took a bit more concentration, it was very rewarding and well worth the time! The garment is simply stunning! And, despite its appearance, it is incredibly warm.
Please click the link below to get your copy of the pattern:
https://www.garnstudio.com/pattern.php?id=5284&cid=17
Also, as a bonus, there are how-to videos on the page to help you with many of the needed techniques!
In closing for this week, we have a few general announcements. As we get closer to the colder months, please make sure to start sending in any donations that you want to receive credit for this year so that we can catalogue them and ensure that they are sent out to upcoming Stand Downs. Further, as many of our volunteers have asked, we are no longer hosting the Friday Night Craft-a-thon at Half Priced Books. (We know that fighting Dallas rush hour traffic on a Friday night can be treacherous!) Please note that we do have many other community crafting events and will continue to develop more, so stay tuned. Also, we are developing a map of all of the Stand Downs that we partner with across the U.S. and its territories. This map will contain several key pieces of information about the demographics of the veterans and their families. Additionally, we do get wish lists from each Stand Down which help us set our goals. Our aim here is to be as transparent as possible to our volunteers and community partners. Also, we hope that these resources will aid our volunteers in knowing what to make and help them decide where they would like their goods to go.
