A Small Delivery to the Susan B. Anthony Project

Today I gathered a small batch of items to bring to the Susan B. Anthony Project.  I did not have as many items together as I would have liked to but I am confident that everything that is brought in will go to good use.

I am very impressed with the Susan B. Anthony Project.  They are located at 179 Water Street in Torrington, Connecticut.  The building that they are currently in is the one that used to house the law firm that I worked for.  It is amazing what they have done to the building.  They have updated it on the inside and made it fit their needs but kept it's beautiful character.  I believe the building used to be the home of the Torrington Brass company or something such as that many years ago.  The Susan B. Anthony project helps many women and children.  There services have made a huge difference in the lives of many people.  They are a place to turn to when there is no where else to turn.

http://www.sbaproject.org/

The items that I brought in today will be distributed to the women and children that they are helping.  It gives me great pleasure to bring these things in knowing that these people have so little that these items really will make a difference and help them out.  In addition to the handmade items pictured below I also brought in some new bras and hosiery.  Those items as well as many others are always needed.

My next goal is to complete a group of hats to bring to the Cancer Care Center in Torrington.  I would like to complete them quickly because they weather is starting to turn cool.  Some of these evenings lately have been quite chilly.  Please let me know if you have any hats that you would like to include in the next group I drop off.  You are welcome to come along too when I bring them.

Granny Square Scarf

This morning I just completed my newest project for charity.  I made some granny squares up with Vanna's Choice Yarn.  It was yarn I had left over from a baby blanket I made.  This yarn is currently available at Ocean State Job Lot for $3.00 for the large 7 ounces skein.  The ones available at Michael's, ACMoore, etc are smaller.  This is also a great way to use up leftover pieces.  You could even buy up some mismatched yarn cheaply at a tag sale and make these squares.

I love the idea of making items like this as a group.  Multiple people can make squares.  Different people can sew them together and add the border.  If anyone is interested in a project like this please let me know.  Squares can be formed together to make many different things.

Later this week I plan on dropping off this scarf along with several other items at the Susan B. Anthony project in Torrington.  I am also working on getting together a group of hats for the Cancer Care Center in Torrington.  If anyone is interested in donating to the cancer center please note that they only treat adult patients.  If you have smaller hats I can gladly find a different place that does treat children.

The Recent Passing of a Friend - by Rev. Denise Clapsaddle

My dear friend Melanie Pieper-Utter passed away yesterday at the age of forty-six. I don’t remember a time when I didn’t know Melanie. She was the oldest of six siblings who went to my church and my school. We survived a two-year long confirmation class, as this photo attests. (She’s the tall one, I’m the awkward looking short girl.) Both of us continued to cling to the Christian faith nurtured in us at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ. Melanie and I shared a sarcastic sense of humor that we probably got from our respective fathers. Melanie also had a sweetness that reminded me of her mom, a wonderful woman who clearly felt that children are life’s greatest reward and blessing. I can’t imagine how painful this loss is for Mel’s family. Her younger sister also died of cancer.
In life Mel was a hair stylist who specialized in making hair pieces and wigs for those who had lost their own hair. She helped many cancer survivors through her vocation. Mel’s passing has inspired me to begin making chemo caps for other cancer survivors. Cancer survivors appreciate having a variety of items to cover their head quickly and comfortably, something to wear around the house or while running errands. A good chemo hat needs to be soft, because a cancer survivor’s scalp can be tender. It should also be knitted or crocheted in a closed pattern, in order to conceal the hair loss.
I am a loom knitter. I picked up loom knitting because I found it difficult to make loose, even stitches while knitting and crocheting. Another member of our church was a loom knitter and so I decided to try and I was instantly hooked. Loom knitting is somewhat faster and easier than knitting with needles. I have made a variety of items and enjoy challenging myself with new patterns. A good source of loom knitting patterns can be found online at http://springyknitting.com/_wsn/page2.html

-Rev. Denise Clapsaddle

Below is a photo of a hat and mitten set done with loom knitting.

Welcome to our blog!

Horray!  We have taken the next step in reaching out to those in need.  The Riverton Congregational Church Handmade Ministry is quickly coming together.  We are pairing people that have a desire to help with those that have needs.  We are starting this blog in an effort to reach further into the community for help and assistance in helping.

There are many organizations out there that accept then distribute items such as handmade baby blankets.  We are working with crafters of all types to create items to those with many different types of needs instead of concentrating on one type of thing.  In doing so we hope to reach a greater range of people in need.  Crocheted or knit caps are being distributed to cancer centers.  Handmade blankets and accessories have been brought to shelters.  An item as simple as a crocheted dish cloth can go a long way in helping someone from a shelter in their first steps of building their new life.

You can help by crocheting, knitting, sewing, woodcrafting, beading and almost anything that you can craft.  If you do not have any crafting experience we can teach you how to make items.  Help is also needed in way of monetary funds for materials.  We may at some points need assistance in distributing items once they have been created or administrative work.

One of our new ideas is to crochet squares as s group.  Different people can make the squares with the same pattern and yarn type.  Those squares can be combined into one blanket.

If you or anyone you know are in need of any of our handmade items please contact me for further information.

Donated items must be clean and from a non-smoking environment.  This is a list of items that we can use.  There are many more things but this is just an idea.

• Prayer Shawls
• Twin sized blankets
• Hats for chemo patieints
• Preemie clothing
• Handmade dishcloths and towels
• Scarf, hat and mittens
• Handmade accessories such as jewelery and hair scrunchies
• Basic furniture for someone starting a new home after being at a shelter
• Embroidered items such as pillow cases and table runners
• Handmade handbags