Calling All Knitters, Crocheters and Crafters

PLEASE NOTE: To receive up-to-date information on the Scarves for Troops Project, please sign-up for our Mailing List. For project instructions, patterns and FAQs, please read this earlier blog post: Scarf, Hat, Cool-Tie Project Details.“I am so grateful to be able to give back to our heroes. Just saying thank you doesn’t seem to be enough for all that they and their families do for us.” The above is another priceless quote from Diane, one of our devoted knitters. She expresses so beautifully what we all feel in our hearts. “Many hands make light work.” This is me(L) with Lorene.  Helpers Fran and Lorene.                   Helper Lila. Members of the Del Rey Yacht Club showed up at the Armory bearing MANY scarves and other donations. Plus, they volunteered their time helping with scarves that day! We got so much done. It was GREAT!! At our first prep day at the Armory, 16 volunteers working the scarf table counted and readied 334 knit or crocheted hats, 1,038 scarves and other handmade-with-love items. This was only ONE day’s work. We have over 9,000 items of warmth at this early date. Thank you to everybody!! While we were working, Sharon Howard came into my thoughts often. I felt her presence there with us and although I felt sadness at her absence, I also felt joy because her Scarves for Troops Project is her living legacy. “I am recruiting people as well and will be hosting a small luncheon to crochet.  I have invited those who know how to crochet and those that don’t.  My guests are welcome to come and learn. I crochet during lunch, while I watch/listen to TV and even while I get a pedicure.  My bag comes with me almost everywhere. Thank you and the organization for championing this effort!  I don’t know anyone in the service, but I am so glad that I can hopefully say ‘thank you’ to all those soldiers for what they are sacrificing. Sorry… long-winded and very excited to be able to contribute. Thank you again! I love the energy generated by the organization. You guys are an incredible group of people! Blessings!” Patty Thank you to Patty and others for their enthusiasm and who are helping to spread the word getting more and more people involved. I love it that her knitting bag goes with her everywhere. It is nice to have something to do while waiting at dance class with the kids, at the doctor’s office, or anyplace there is “forced relaxation.” Meet our inspirational 98-year-old Joan Mazzarelli!! Joan knitted socks and sweaters for the troops during WWII and now she’s committed to help keep them warm in Iraq and Afghanistan. She knits and crochets all day and has 350 scarves and hats completed. Her goal is 500 before the end of the drive. And then she’ll start knitting and crocheting for next year! A heartwarming story titled: “Labor of Love: Scarf and Baby Story” Labor of Love Scarf: My daughter Melissa went into labor early in the morning of Sept 27. I was able to sit with her in the Birthing Room, and stayed there all day. I pulled out the scarf I was knitting, and a nurse asked me, “is that a blanket for the baby?” I replied, “it is for a soldier, and it will be sent to him in a care package for Christmas.” The nurse thought that was wonderful, and I continued to knit all day. As the labor progressed, and things got tense for Melissa, my needles really flew! At the last stage of labor, I just couldn’t knit anymore, I had to keep putting cold cloths on her head etc. Finally at 4:30 Evelyn Alice arrived, and I was able to stay there and witness her birth. She is beautiful and we are thrilled as first time grandparents. I finished up the scarf during calmer moments the next day, and that is why it is called ‘Labor of Love’ scarf.  Kathy

Fiber confusion: There has been some misunderstanding concerning the yarn fibers Operation Gratitude will send to our troops. We accept ALL yarn fibers. Acrylic is forbidden by the military, so scarves made out of acrylic cannot be worn while on duty, but it can be worn while off duty. If possible, along with your note and email please include the fiber content used. We want to encourage participation by every citizen who wishes to contribute. Our scarves and hats are gifts. Handmade, with love, from home. A special thanks to those who are taking a little extra time to include a note and contact address with each of your items. It makes them even more special!! Please try your hardest to stick as close to our scarf measurement guidelines as possible. 5″ across and no more than 36″ long, with No Fringe are the safest measurements for our purposes. Here are suggested PATTERNS to use. Please help spread the good word–to senior centers, girl scout and boy scout troops, yarn shops, craft websites, bloggers–anyone that you think may want to help out with this project to show their appreciation to our troops! If possible, it will be helpful to receive multiple shipments, maybe two-three, so we have items for each of our packing days. Find our shipping information here: SHIPPING & DONATION Instructions Please keep knitting and crocheting in your spare time up until our last packing day (see our current Volunteer Schedule to get all the dates) so we can reach our ultimate goal of an item of warmth in each care package! Please send all items to: Operation Gratitude 21100 Lassen Street Chatsworth, CA 91311 ATTN: RECEIVING/Angel Cuevas I thank each one of you in advance for your help and support!  If you have questions, please email Info@OperationGratitude.com “Busy Hands, Happy Heart” Sharon Howard Scarves for Troops Project