Lion Brand Adult’s Easy Crochet Hat & Upcoming Stand Downs

Happy Friday, T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family! As we get closer to upcoming Stand Downs and their deadlines, it is important to finish and donate any and all garments that you have in progress so that we can prepare them for dissemination via the VA’s that are hosting them. Hats and scarves in darker colors such as green, blue, black, grey, and (vet favorite) camouflage, make for excellent donations and are in great need.

With that in mind, we would like to share a simple yet effective crochet hat pattern that would be wonderful to donate to our cause- Lion Brand’s own Adult’s Easy Crochet Hat. It weaves up very quickly and, because of its one round repeat, is a perfect pattern to use when you don’t want to think too hard about what you’re crafting and just want to be in Crochet “Zen-Mode.” The knit-like vertical ribs (done by only working single crochets into the back loop) provide a nice and comfortable stretch for the wearer. Make sure to have a tapestry needle handy in order to seam the ends of the garment together and also to cinch up the top!

Please follow the link below and click on “Download Free Pattern” near the bottom right for the instructions on how to craft this uncomplicated crochet hat:

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).


Needed: Cowls and Scarves!

Are you still looking for a project for our homeless military veterans and not quite sure what to make? We have a solution. We took stock of all the items that we currently have and posted our metrics on the T.H.R.I.V.E. Association website’s homepage. If you have not done so already, be sure to check it out! This is going to be our gauge to let our volunteers know what items are still needed. If you already have some items completed, please be sure to send them in as soon as possible so that they can be counted, sized, and labeled. Remember, we will be giving out some awesome prizes to our top three most productive volunteers this year!

So, as our chart on our homepage shows, one of items that we need most right now are scarves and cowls. With that, here is a free pattern for a crocheted cowl, which is certainly one of our favorites – it is the Millbrook Cowl from Lion Brand.


 


The Violetta Cowl

Firstly, we’d like to thank our donors for contributing several skeins of yarn to our cause! We couldn’t continue our work without your support. We are also grateful to all of our volunteers for their compassion, hard work, and dedication. A very special thanks goes out to those who come out to our Craft-a-thons as well!

Next up this week is an awesome new project that is a sure keep our brave veterans warm during the long, chilly Fall and Winter months. Yes, it is very warm and soft! This glamorous cowl was made using Lion Brand’s Violetta Cowl pattern number #L40511 – it is available as a free download on their website. (The link is provided below.) It is a perfect beginner level project, and is a fantastic way to practice your stitches!

The Violetta Cowl pattern is available here:

http://www.lionbrand.com/knitting-pattern-violetta-cowl.html

As usual, we will have a Friday night Craft-a-thon this Friday, October 14 at 6:00 p.m. We will be meeting at Half Price Books.

Half Price Books at 5803 Northwest Hwy, Dallas, TX 75231 on 10/14/16 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Come out and join us; even if it is to sit and chat for a few minutes!