Thursday, March 27, 2014

Just Some Ramblings.......

In August I took a 10-hour a week job to help us cover the costs of shipping and supplies and just to give us some extra money.  I have worked at least 15 – 20 hours just about every single week, while only getting paid for 10 and donated hundreds of dollars of my own money through craft and office supply purchases.  Just me being me, I guess.

This week I was told that I am one of only 3 people at our campus that needs to start using a time clock to verify that I am working my needed number of hours.  I took offense at the implication that I was not honest (those of you who know me are aware of my integrity, I hope) and also at the fact that there is money for brand new time clocks, but not for a safe and secure door on our building.  (I’m not against time clocks, if everyone has to use them) I explained my feelings politely to the Executive Director, while stating that I would follow the directive since I am an employee.  I also informed her that I would no longer do any volunteer work or make any further donations because I do not volunteer for organizations that do not trust me or when I disagree with the way they spend donations.  I was told that she “used” to admire me as a person and that I was very disappointing. 

Well, I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m comfortable without her admiration, especially since she doesn’t know me as a person at all.  I know that I do a lot of good for a lot of people.  But, it did make me think about how so many non-profits receive donations that are supposed to help with the mission of the agency and yet so much of that money is wasted on bureaucratic nonsense.  I’ve frequently said that I prefer to support grass roots groups that are doing good for others rather than a bureaucratic non-profit that spends donated money on paying the people at the top to make irresponsible decisions about how to handle the money. 

Non-profits have boards that are frequently out of touch with the actual workings of the organization.  No one should be a board member just to have something new on his resume. I know that even those organizations that do a great deal of good spend a lot of money on non-essential things.

I can honestly say that 100% of all donations and pattern costs are used to get hats and blankets to those who really need them.  I don’t get paid, I don’t pay to advertise and I certainly know that we are following our ‘mission’, simplistic though it may be. 

I recently said that something was going to have to give for me to keep up with everything……  I tried to not let the charities suffer while doing ‘extra volunteer’ work at my job.  My family hasn’t been affected too much (I hope) – I still cook dinner every night, do the laundry, clean, etc.  But I have been affected by the constant need to do more for every group. 

So, as difficult as it is for me to consciously pull back and force myself to only do a set amount every week, that is what I am working on.  I do not get paid for the summer at this job, so I am going to spend the next 9 or 10 weeks focusing on doing my job and everything I can do for the girls in only 10 hours.  Then I will have the summer to regroup.  I have realized that I can’t do everything for every organization that might have a good mission – almost every non-profit has a great mission statement.  I need to focus on putting my time and efforts into supporting those that are run in a way that lines up with what I think is right. 

I’m going to continue to put a ton of hugs, hope and love into DEHH and KKforK and supporting those special causes that come to my attention.  I am going to consciously put more time into taking long walks with Schnapps, trying out new recipes for my family, maybe getting Christmas presents worked on before December and basically just enjoying the life I am lucky enough to have.

Thank you to each of you who help make DEHH and KKforK successful.  I will always admire and appreciate you!  <3

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Cuddles and Caps and the Braided Hope Scarf!

Schnapps and I have put out a new e-book Cuddles and Caps.  This e-book contains 15 hat patterns from this blog as well as the Braided Hope Scarf pattern.  The book is priced at $3.00 and as always 100% of the price goes to DEHH or to help others.

The book can be purchased by using the link to the right of this page or from my Craftsy or Ravelry stores, also found in links to the right.

From 3/19 to 3/24 all pattern sales will be donated to help Jennifer.  March 24 is her 30th birthday and she is fiercely battling cancer and could use our help.  Please read her story here.

If you can't donate, please send good thoughts and love her way.  

Below are all the patterns found in Cuddle and Caps! 


 Many of you requested the Braided Hope Scarf pattern! 


If you're not a fan of Delaware Head Huggers yet, stop by and "Like" our Facebook page.  Help us name the patterns and see all the beautiful hats that are donated.  Stop by Kozy Kovers for Kids Facebook page too!  We welcome everyone to join us.  Stop by and say hello.  You can always reach Schnapps or me at robin@delawareheadhuggers.org too.  We love to hear from everyone!

Thank you all for helping us make a difference, one hat at a time!

Saturday, March 8, 2014

Introducing Bursts of Hope!

I am still running behind on posting things!  It's just been busy lately, but this is one of Schnapps' latest hats. Thank you Marcia for the name! 



This pattern is a great way to use up leftover yarn from other hats.  I was able to knit a whole hat using the white yarn and still had enough to make this hat as well!  Experiment with your favorite colors and have fun with this pattern.

Please remember our Finn Hat Project too!  We've collected 652 Finn Hats so far, but so many more are needed.  We are collecting hats for Kidshealth.org which is part of the A.I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware.  They have produced a video that helps pre-school age children understand what to expect from their cancer treatment.  We are hoping to have a few hundred hats in varying sizes for a launch party at the end of February.  Take a look at the amazing video here.
 
The blog post, mandatory colors, yarn suggestions and pattern info can be found here:   


If you're not a fan of Delaware Head Huggers yet, stop by and "Like" our Facebook page.  Help us name the patterns and see all the beautiful hats that are donated.  Stop by Kozy Kovers for Kids Facebook page too!  We welcome everyone to join us.  Stop by and say hello.  You can always reach Schnapps or me at robin@delawareheadhuggers.org too.  We love to hear from everyone!

Schnapps sends tail wags to all, especially those kids who need Finn Hats!




Bursts of Hope

You will need 2 colors of 6-weight yarn and size US 13 circular needles and dpns or another combination listed below.

Abbreviations:
yo: yarn over
k2tog:  knit 2 stitches together as one

Using Color A, cast on 48 stitches, place marker and join, taking care not to twist stitches.

Using Color A, Work Brim:
Row 1:  knit all stitches
Repeat Row 1 until piece is about 3 inches in length.

Work Pattern:
Row 1:  *using Color A, k2, using Color B, k2*; repeat around
Row 2:  *using Color A yo, k2, pass yo over both knit stitches, using Color B, yo, k2, pass yo over both knit stitches*; repeat around
Row 3:  *using Color B; k2, using Color A; k2*; repeat around
Row 4:  *using Color B,  yo, k2, pass yo over both knit stitches, using Color A, yo, k2, pass yo over both knit stitches*; repeat around
Repeat Rows 1 - 4  until piece is about 6 inches in length.

Using Color A, Work Crown:
Row 1:  knit all stitches
Repeat Row 1 until piece is about 7 to 7.5 inches .

Using Color A, Decrease Crown:  use dpn’s when needed
Row 1: *k6, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 2: *k5, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 3: *k4, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 4: *k3, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 5:  *k2, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 6:  *k1, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 7:  *k2tog*; repeat around

Finish: Cut working yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail.  Draw the tail through the remaining stitches, cinch closed and secure.  Weave in ends and give it to someone special who could use a burst of hope!



 The pattern is worked over 4 stitches, but use a multiple of 8 to keep the crown decrease the same. 

To knit this using 5-weight yarn, use size 10.5 needles and cast on 72 stitches. 

To knit this using worsted weight yarn, use size 7 needles and cast on 80 stitches. 

To make it child size, use worsted yarn, size 7 needles and cast on 64 stitches.  Adjust in increments of 8 stitches for individual sizes.

To knit this using sport weight yarn, use size 5 needles and cast on 112 stitches.