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Linda's Hats For The Homeless

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Warm Hats for Homeless People

An estimated 100 million people worldwide are homeless. So many cold heads - so little time. We lose 20% of our body heat through our head. Let's help homeless people keep a little warmer this winter.

You can help keep some of these people a little warmer by donating yarn to be made into hats, or donating already-made hats, and gloves. If you like to knit or crochet and need a project, this is a very worthwhile one. There are a lot of free crochet patterns on the internet or I can recommend a good pattern book, which I use: "Quick Caps" published by Leisure Arts. This would also be a good project for school or Sunday School classes, Girl Scout Boy Scout troups, any club or organization.

If you would like more information, you can send an e-mail with 'Hats For Homeless' in the subject line.

2011/06/18 08:00

Winter December 17, 2011

Boxes of hats ready to go.
Loading the car.
Choosing hats, scarves, and gloves.
Yes, there are babies and children at the homeless center.

2011-2012 Winter Is SO Close Now

Time to sort out the hats and pack up the scarves.

The weather is turning colder here in Tulsa. It's almost time to head out to town with hats and scarves. Boxes and bags of handmade hats and scarves have been arriving. Thank you, my dear friends from all over the country, for helping me with the 'Hats For Homeless' project. I have good intentions of getting photos of your awesome donations added to the website this weekend (12/3/11).

"Hats For Homeless"

Also, I'd like to add a quick and big 'THANK YOU" to all the people who've been visiting and commenting here. "THANK YOU"
11/30/11

2011 - Donations

Terri Schall, in Illinois, sent 2 boxes of assorted mittens, hats and scarves with more to come. They are from a Red Heart yarn winter swap on ravelry.com. She went to a lot of effort to get these and mail them to me. I appreciate you, Terri.

@ March 10, 2011: Another boxful came in. You Ravelry.com folks are awesome!
March 24, 2011. Ravelry.com winter swap final box = Fingerless Gloves - a bunch!

Some Hat & Scarf sets I've been working on.


All of these hats were made from patterns in the "QuickCap" book. Just changing colors makes a big difference.

Visitor Map

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Winter 2010 Giving of the Hats

This coming winter will be my fourth year to make and give away hats to people at the Tulsa Day Center for the Homeless here in Oklahoma. I always take someone to help me hand out the hats. My grandchildren really enjoy being able to do this with me. I took a friend one year, and my boss and a co-worker went with me last year. So far, during the last 3 winters, we have given well over 300 hats that I crocheted. We actually go twice a year, once during the first really cold week of the winter and a second time a few days before Christmas.

Amazon Has My Favorite Hats Pattern Book

"Quick Caps" really are quick to make.


Quick Caps
(Leisure Arts #3832)



A LOT of people have asked me what pattern I use for the hats I make. I've tried a very, very large variety of patterns from several sources. Crochet magazines, pattern books, and internet sites. I try to respond with a list of various websites with free hat patterns. Always included in what I tell them is the "Quick Caps" pattern book. And also, I offer to send a copy of my two favorite patterns, which just happen to be in that book. Now you know where to get one of the best Hat Pattern Books I've ever used.

"Quick Caps" by Barbara Shaffer, published by Leisure Arts, is the Pattern Book I use for nearly all the Hats I make. There are seven different designs. Each one is rated **Easy. There are directions for stitches that one may not be familiar with, such as a "Front Post Treble Crochet". Believe me, it is easier than it sounds. My two favorites are the "Ethan Cap" and the "Justin Cap". All the patterns work up very quickly. It usually takes me a couple of hours to make each cap. Out of all the hundreds of hats I've made, I don't believe I've made two hats exactly the same. It's so easy to change the color combinations for each pattern.

Have you been thinking about making some really nice, warm hats for yourself or a gift, or to donate to the homeless in your area? You'll probably love these patterns as much as I do.

One tip - Of course I know every Crocheter has a different tension, so no two people will work the same pattern and have the same gauge. The patterns in this book call for a Crochet Hook that creates a hat for the head of a Younger Person (a.k.a. teenager). I found that I had to go up two Hook sizes to get a good fit for Adults.

DECEMBER 11, 2010

Back at the Day Center

People from all over the country are still making and sending hats and scarves. Some are taking them to homeless shelters in their areas. Florida, California, New York, Kansas, Texas, Georgia, etc., etc. People from everywhere are joining in. U.S.A. ROCKS!

One More Time This Winter...

2009

I was going to wait until next winter to hand out more hats. Three more boxes of hats came in the mail Wednesday. Those plus the ones left from our visit on December 13th add up to two very large bags full. So we'll go back to the Day Center For The Homeless one more time this winter.

January 3rd is the target date, pending acceptable weather conditions. Rodney has already offered himself and his children to help that day. I'll grab whoever is at my house and take them with me.
Merry Christmas to All!

2008 Finale

It was quite windy when we got to the Day Center. The management let us come inside to hand out the hats. We stood by the Christmas Tree and spread out our wares. Soon we were surrounded by the good people at the Center. I couldn't seem to get good photos inside the building. The whole experience is just exhilarating.

Make A Difference Day

Today was a wonderful success.

The sun was shining, which is always nice when outdoors in autumn.

I was delighted that Sharon, Rodney, Kylie and Heath showed up to help.

This will be the last trip to the Day Center until October 2009. We'll continue making the hats and scarves during the year. Though I probably won't do much posting for awhile I'll still check the e-mail so don't hesitate if you have comments or questions.

Thank everyone for the fantastic response this year. I wish a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS to all of you and will see you later.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Handing out more hats

Tomorrow will be the last time this year for us to hand out hats at the Tulsa Day Center For The Homeless. I'll try to get photos and put them on the website.

My sister, Sharon, is coming in from Afton, Oklahoma to help. The 4 grandchildren who went in October will be going again. The oldest grandson has two friends who want to go with us. Two of the women who helped last time won't be able to be there, but they got their hats to me. The third lady said she will be there. It will be great.

Get Your Yarn The Easiest Way

Purchase on the Internet and save time, gas, and money.

I prefer using Red Heart Super Saver yarns for most of my crocheting. In addition to the larger size skeins being so economic, there are a whole slew of colors for mixing and matching. It's also totally washable and looks like new after each wash. We are still using afghans I crocheted decades ago and they still look great. Some of these yarns have a special at the bottom of the page where you can get 2 or 3 different colors together and save. There are many more colors than shown here which you can see once you follow one of these links.


Red Heart Super Saver Yarn:
Painted Desert Print


Red Heart Super Saver Yarn:
Williamsburg Print


Red Heart Super Saver Yarn:
Medium Purple


Red Heart Super Saver Yarn-Black


Red Heart Super Saver Yarn:
Grey Heather


Red Heart Super Saver Yarn:
Camouflage

Three More Days To National Make A Difference Day

October 21st, 2008

I am so amazed - excited - proud - awed by the fantastic outpouring of help by people from all over the U.S.A. We have, at this point, gathered 311 Hats!!! 25 Scarves!!! I sold enough clothes on eBay to be able to spend $50 on gloves, which I intend to do today. This is beyond anything I ever imagined when I started making hats four years ago.

Two good women, Susie from Skiatook, Oklahoma and Linda from Sand Springs, Oklahoma, have volunteered to help my grandchildren and me hand out the hats on Saturday. With so many to hand out, I am definitely needing their aid.

I intend to try to get some photos. I'm not sure how the people will respond to getting their pictures taken. I will do what I can, though. My thoughts are to make a new lens with the results. Then I'll get busy preparing hats for handing out in December. Thank you, Everyone, for all your good works and good words. You are appreciated.

p.s. I just now received a phone call from Jarrel Wade, the Tulsa World reporter. He is doing a follow-up article in Friday's paper.

***I was able to buy 27 pairs of women's gloves from WalMart. I'll have to check Dollar General for men's gloves.***

Another 45 hats came in last night and this morning for a new total of 356 hats!!!

Also, Terri Schall Oak Forest, Illinois sent 17 pairs of handmade mittens. Great job, Terri.

We Made A Difference - 2008

Several good people, from states all across the U.S.A., and I work all year making hats, scarves and gloves. When autumn and/or winter finally comes around, we are ready with bags loaded down with these handmade treasures.

Tulsa World Newspaper

8/22/2008

Hats, Hats, HatsGreat News!!! A reporter, Jarrel Wade, with the Tulsa World Newspaper interviewed me last night about the Hats For Homeless project. I'm really excited about this. Someone on the newspaper staff saw the website and told him about it. He brought a photographer with him, whose name I'm not able to remember (senior moment), but he was a cutie. Jarrel had some good questions for me, but I couldn't think of good answers until he'd been gone several hours. Anyway, it was fun and interesting. Hopefully, the article will bring in more "Hats For Homeless." And maybe some gloves and scarves, too. Thank you, Jarrel, for your help in putting this project in the public spotlight. Oh, by the way, it should be in Tuesday's (8/26/2008) Tulsa World newspaper.
8/24/08 - I just checked the Tulsa World website and found the photograper's name is Cory Young. Thank you, Cory.

Homeless People - The New Minority

Do we really understand who they are? Why are these people homeless? Is there a solution for them? How can YOU make a difference?

"About 3.5 million US residents (about 1% of the population), including 1.35 million children..." - Washington Profile
The Ladybug Foundation
How a young girl is educating the masses. This lens inspired me to try and make more of a difference. Hannah is an awesome young lady.
Help the Homeless for Free
What a concept! ...take a trip with me down this page and find out how you can help homeless people without touching your hard earned cash. Share yourself and make a big difference in the lives of homeless people.
"Washington Profile" Homeless in America
About 3.5 million US residents (about 1% of the population), including 1.35 million children, have been homeless for a significant period of time.
Facts About Homelessness
Why Are People Homeless? Updated August 2007. How Many People Experience Homelessness? Updated August 2007. Who is Homeless? Updated August 2007. Issues: ...
Homeless People's Network
An online discussion among homeless and formerly homeless individuals. Discussions and archives may be viewed by all.
Where Do Homeless People Sleep?
The obvious "homeless people" are those who are sleeping on the street, in doorways and alleys, on park benches or behind bushes. ...
Hats For The Homeless
WELCOME, COME ON IN: How many Homeless People do you suppose would enjoy hearing that phrase??? How many times have we Home-have People said that to a Home-don't-have Person / at any time / at any place / for any reason??? I realize it's not feasible for most of us to provide living arrangements for others. However, I do believe we can help ease their discomforts - even if only in what we consider to be a very small way.
Crochet For Homeless
Crochet For Homeless - There've been LOTS of e-mails sent to me requesting a good Crochet Pattern for any of these items. My mission here is to create a site which links to Free Patterns or very good Patterns to purchase. I shall also have some links or contact information to places where your handiwork or store bought items can be sent. If there is a Homeless Shelter in or near your community, consider them first.

Handmade Scarves

Loud applause for...

Donna Rutherford, Tulsa, OK. Donna brought in a tub full of handmade scarves. Oh, the colors, the textures. They are great. Thank you, Donna. I love the fuzzy purple one. Such excellent quality. These will be a great hit at the Day Center for the Homeless.
Sydonna Pollard - Chester, N.Y. sent scarves
Beverly Davis - Gilmer, TX sent a scarf
Linda McClaflin - Sand Springs, OK - one scarf
Carol Nelson - Bixby, OK - 1 scarf
Jen Grossnickle - Colorado - 6 scarves

Hats

Loud applause for...

Judith Von Holten, Bixby, OK, made half a dozen beautiful hats. I like this style of hat. Great job, Judith.

We Made The News!!!

Tulsa World
Linda Deal is working to crochet as many hats as she can for Tulsa's homeless people before her deadline, Make a Difference Day, in October. Cory Young/Tulsa World Photographer
A Catoosa crafter is seeking yarn and volunteers.
By JARREL WADE World Staff Writer
Published: 8/26/2008  2:04 AM
Last Modified: 8/26/2008  3:25 AM
Read more from this Tulsa World article at Tulsa World
Talking Crochet with Carol Alexander
Making a Difference -- One Hat at a Time
Tulsa resident Linda Deal has turned her passion for crochet into a one-woman, grass-roots project -- crocheting hats for her local homeless shelter. Her goal is to make as many hats as possible (and, hopefully, receive other hat donations as well) by October 25, 2008, national Make a Difference Day, when she will present her hats to the shelter. She plans to present more hats a few weeks later just before Christmas.

Making hats for the homeless to help them through the cold winter months is a wonderful project that other crocheters can adopt in their own communities. It's a great way to use up odds and ends of yarn in your stash in a very rewarding way to help some of your neighbors in need.

You Can Make A Difference


Enter your Make A Difference Day project here. Get lots of ideas.
Make A Difference Day, USA WEEKEND's national day of helping others.

About Make A Difference Day; How to Get Involved; Make A Difference DAYtaBANK;  
Find A Project; Register A Project; Project Ideas;   Idea Generator;
What Others Have Done; Project Tools.  

Donated Yarn

This is part of 3 large bags sent by Janie Gill and Maxine Clinton from Tulsa, OK. Thank you, ladies. This is making a LOT of hats. :-)

You Say You Just Don't Have Time to Make Caps or Hats???

It's Okay, I Understand, Really, Life can keep us quite Busy.


BLACK LONG WATCH CAP BEANIE SKI CAP CAPS HAT HATS CUFFED


Knit Acrylic Watch Cap
Medium Weight
Navy Blue One Size


If You Prefer To Buy Your Hats, Caps, Mittens, Gloves or Scarves Ready-Made - The Real Time-Saver Way is to Buy From Amazon.

Forget about Driving to the Store or the Mall, People Honking and Squealing their Tires and making you Crazy. No need to Scour the Parking Lot for an Empty Slot, and Good Luck trying to find one Close to the Store Entrance - it ain't gonna happen.

Now, you Finally get Inside and what you're looking for is Clear Over on the Other End of the Building. You Walk (got your Pedometer handy?) and Finally get to the Right Aisle, and Guess What??? There's None in your Size or your Color. Or if you Do find Something you Like, it's Back to the Front of the Store to Pay. But First you get to Line Up behind the Other People at the Register and Wait your Turn, and Wait, and Wait.

Okay, that's Enough of that depressing scene. Let's Brighten up, Lighten up and Shop at Amazon. Yay, No driving, No parking, No walking, No lines. You Get Exactly What You Want and it's Delivered Right to your Front Door. Gotta Love It.

Another Idea

My Daughter, The Brain Child

Homeless DonationsMy daughter, Candra (New Mexico), is a lot like me. She's also a lot different from me. Candra is beautiful and intelligent. (I'll let you guess if those are the "like me" or "different from me".) She enjoys crafts but not crochet. She is interested in helping those who need help. This is about Candra's Idea.

We are constantly seeing some person or another on a street corner at the traffic light or at the end of a highway exit ramp. They will have their little cardboard sign with poorly lettered words telling their sad plight. Most of them are genuine, some aren't. Still, we know it's not a good idea to give them cash. So how to help in a good decent way???

Candra's Idea: Keep two or three bags with particular items inside. The first item, of course, would be a hat. A Lunchable and a juice pack with the little straw attached and maybe a bit of unmeltable candy. A wet-nap and a small tissue pack.

If I was standing out on a street corner, in the cold, probably with a runny nose, dirty hands, and hungry, these are items I would be glad to receive. Even if it isn't cold, the rest would probably still be valid conditions. We are poor, but we do have a roof, clean changes of clothing, food in a refrigerator. To some that would be considered as wealthy, and it is, really. I can surely afford to keep 3 bags of each of these items at the ready. Most of these items can be found at a "Dollar General" or similar store for a decent price.

Well, by George, Henry, and Albert, I think I'm going to do it. Like Nike says: "Just Do It!"
Marjorie Abeling from Inola, OK called me to pick up this large load of yarn. She is such a nice lady. She said her sister used to crochet but passed away two years ago. Marjorie was glad the yarn could go to a good cause. Thank you, Marjorie.

More yarn donated:

Elizabeth Minnis - Okmulgee, OK - Another box from Elizabeth came in this week. Just picked up 3rd box of yarn at post office from Elizabeth.
In memory of Kathy Skelton - Tulsa, OK
Billie Hoffman - Tulsa, OK
Pearl Mallet - Stigler, OK
Becky Miller - Catoosa, OK - 2nd donation
Carolyn Crump - Tulsa, OK - 2nd donation
Anonymous - Collinsville, OK
Anonymous - Salina, KS
Lois Lind - Tulsa, OK
Mrs. Allison - Tulsa, OK
Dorothy Goode - Tulsa, OK
Jana Twombley - Cookson, OK
Kathy Lucas - Bartlesville
Karen Ryan - Tulsa, OK
Jonnie Williams - Tulsa, OK

Thank you, folks. There will be a lot more warm heads this winter because of your help.

Anita Waters from Claremore brought 5 large (33 gallon) black trashbags full of yarn. Thank you, Anita. I'll be making hats in my sleep.

Anonymous - unknown city/state

More Out-of-State Yarn Donors:
Betsy Nelson - Lawrence, MS
Carolyn Loftis - Yuma, Arizona

Donated Hats

*Received 30 handmade hats from Pauline Johns in Stroud, OK. Great job, Pauline.
*An anonymous donor in Skiatook, OK sent in some hats and yarn - way to go, Skiatook!!! :-)
*Another state heard from: *TEXAS*
Beverly Davis from Gilmer, TX mailed a box of 21 hats and a nice, warm neck scarf to match one of them.
*Barbara from Broken Arrow, OK brought 2 bags of hats she made. People - Barbara is 83 years young and still crocheting for homeless people!!! She's amazing. :-)
*Ms. Ricks from Tulsa, OK sent 13 hats that she made.
*Sydonna Pollard sent 7 hats along with the scarves.

*Jan Olmstead from Broken Arrow, OK - 12 handmade hats brought in by her husband, Steve.
*Linda McClaflin - Sand Springs, OK - 50 hats
*Carol Nelson - Bixby, OK - 34 hats
*Cindy Cardona - Mercedes, TX - 5 hats
*Susie Van Dusen - Skiatook, OK - 13 hats
*Linda Castellan - Buffalo, NY - 4 hats
*Kristine Woosley - Gulf Shores, AL - 3 hats
*Ms Harold Reed - Fayetteville, GA - 11 hats
*Billie Vann - Inola, OK - 32 hats
*Ruby Hockett - Inola, OK - 2 hats

2/14/2011 A LOT more hats have come in since I wrote this. Unfortunately I didn't keep track of their names. I'll try to do better in the future.

Crochet Hooks Galore

To Fill Out Your Cache of Hooks


Crochet Hook Set
Steel/Aluminum


Interchangeable Crochet Hook Set


Crochet Hook-Size Q19 15.75mm


One set of 12 PCs bamboo crochet hooks US 2/C
(2.75 mm)-US 15/N
(10 mm)


Skacel Addi Swing Crochet Hook Crochet Hooks


Aluminum Crochet Hook Set:
Sizes D,E,F,G,H,I,J & K


Susan Bates Crystalites Multi-Pack-Sizes L M N & P

Who's Helping Whom

Homeless People are not limited to one area, one age, one sex, one reason. People who help are as varied and widespread as those who are homeless. I'm always interested in seeing what others are doing to help. Who are they? How did they get started. Why did they get started.
Teens from St. Saviour High School in Park Slope help the homeless by ...
By Mark Morales / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Saint Saviour's High School teens who are giving homeless people in two city parks brown bags of lunch once a month. A group of Brooklyn high school teens are helping the city's homeless one brown bag of lunch at a ...
Resident trying to launch resource center for homeless people
She sees the space for what she hopes it will become Chavis Help Center, a nonprofit resource center for homeless people. Spears is trying to track down donations and volunteers to make the daytime center a reality -- a reality she hopes will include a ...
Fundraiser for homeless brings in $27000
CHAMPAIGN ? Donations for One Winter Night, an event that had 31 people sleeping outside in cardboard boxes in downtown Champaign to raise money for housing the homeless, have reached about $26695. The Feb. 3 event was organized by CU at Home, ...
Student volunteers take on mission to help homeless, needy groups
Programs such as Eat and Greet provides homeless people with food purchased and cooked by volunteers, while Sheets for Streets provides winter supplies. Packs for Backs provides needy students with school supplies. Operation Fly once offered tutoring ...
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Homeless---By Chance or By Design?

Should we scorn - pity - or help?

I heard a radio talk show host say he didn't think homeless people should be allowed to vote. That really made me angry. Are these people really stupid and lazy? Or is it just the luck of the draw? I believe anyone at anytime could suddenly find themselves homeless.

Do you think people are homeless because they want to be?

Loading Fetching blurbs now... please stand by

Should we try to understand and help?

Othercat says:

The homeless aren't homeless by choice and we need to do everything we can for them.

Posted January 20, 2012

Tipi says:

The homeless haveall the rights of any other citizen and deserve out help....too many are veterans that have served for out freedom.

Posted November 29, 2011

Lemming13 says:

Not many people would choose to be homeless, it's a very hard life. I think we should do our best to help and be a bit more tolerant.

Posted June 15, 2011

gypsyman27 says:

No circumstances usually cause homelessness no matter what they are. No one wants to be homeless. We should help our fellow man. See you around the galaxy...

Posted May 28, 2011

promotional-coupons-codes says:

No want to be homeless but this could happen to anyone.Japan is the biggest example

Posted April 28, 2011

sorana says:

That's an interesting question. I don't know if we should try to understand them. I can't understand the people close to me sometimes so ... trying to understand? No. Trying to help? Yes.

Posted April 22, 2011

ChineseKitesforKids says:

I am a part of a ministry that serves the homeless every Saturday morning, rain or shine. Jesus said "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

I'm reading Eelkats story and I am very disappointed in the ones that called themselves Christians and said God was punishing her. I am appalled at that sort of remark. We are called to witness not judge. We are called to BE LOVE. Jesus came for the sick and helpless, not for the self righteous.

If everyone just shared what we had, there would be no needs. One day the Lord is going to set all things right. Jesus said, "So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last."

God bless you and your heart of service to Gods people in need. You will surely be rewarded.

Posted April 17, 2011

sousababy says:

In this economy (and I reside in Canada) almost half of the working population is only a pay cheque or two from being unable to pay their mortgage OR buy adequate (nutritious) food for their family. And these are the working POOR I am talking about. In the US, I would imagine it is even tougher. I think some very deserving people have been treated unfairly and are unable to secure a job because of a few bad breaks. Employers lack empathy for struggles that people go through and we are a throw away society, even with employees. I have witnessed it plenty in healthcare (in Canada). Great lens!

Posted April 10, 2011

RenaissanceWoman2010 says:

This could happen to any one of us. Let us be known by our offerings of unconditional love.

Posted April 03, 2011

foovay says:

NO. A few are homeless because the alternative care centers are horrible places to be, but most of them fell through the cracks through no fault of their own. I know. I've been there.

Posted April 01, 2011

Should we only look down on them?

EelKat says:

My family was homeless from May 2006 - February 2007, after fight a flood and than a fire destroyed are home. The flood left my dad in a coma, resulting in over a million dollars in medical bills. My dad was the only person in the family with a job (our religion does not allow women to work), so we suddenly had no income. We lost our house, our cloths, everything. All we had left was what we were wearing when it happened and I was in the building when is burned, both my cloths and my hair were pretty much cinders.

We turned to family for help, who due to religious convictions said that "god was punishing us" and they than refused to help us because they "would not get in the way of god's plan"; they continued by saying that "god intended man to be self-sufficient", meaning that we had to help ourselves. our friends (from the same religion, btw) said the same. We went to the bishop for help, and was given this same answer yet again.

In the end, we stuck out Maine's 2006 record breaking sub-zero winter, (coldest winter on record since 1927 we were told) by living for 8 months in a "tent" we built out of a tarp and some cinder blocks. We kept warm during the day by staying in the Maine Mall from 9 AM to 10PM. We ate about 4 meals per week at the Salvation Army (they don't serve food every day). The rest of the days were spent in search of wood, leaves, and paper that we could burn at night to keep warm.

Thankfully, 2 months in, I was able to get a job at the Mall, and was able to afford to buy enough food so we could eat every day again. Not having food to eat every day is terrible and you notice just how much you eat, real quick when you have no food at all.

Our time was spent mostly trying to find scraps of food to eat and anything we could burn to keep warm. I always hear people complaining that homeless people are just out looking for money, but you know what? Money is the LAST thing on your mind when you are homeless. Never once did we "panhandle" or "beg for money". Believe me, when you are starving and cold, money is the farthest thing from your mind. I know. All of your time is spent worrying how many days (not hours, but days) it'll be before your next meal, or worrying that the snow will collapse your tent while you are asleep and you'll die before sunrise.

Being homeless is very, very scary, you worry about not living to see tomorrow more than anything else.

You learn to pick trash cans for food, and to pick up bottles and cans to turn in for money to buy food.

Also, you have to deal with a lot of stuck up snobby people throwing things at you (rocks and tin cans mostly), tearing your tent apart while you are away so that you have to keep rebuilding it, and wild animals attacking you at night. (fishers, martens, bobcat, and bear, in our case... my cat who lived in the tent with us was badly scarred by a marten. He's lucky to be alive at all.)

Also, you lose lots of weight (I lost 30 lbs) and you get used to walking miles and miles a day.

You learn that asking to take a shower at a friends house is taboo, and so must go month after month without washing... best you can do is to wash your face in the restroom of a store, but don't keep going to the same store or they'll call the police on you.

You also learn that not taking a shower well cause people to tease you, throw things at you, and go around saying very bad things about you to every one, so that every one who sees you now hates you before they've met you..

You well feel unloved, unwanted, hated, and become deeply depressed. There well be nights when you lay awake staring at the blackness of the tarp above you and wishing tonight's snowstorm will collapse it on you and smother you in your sleep so that you won't have to wake up and suffer another day in this world where humans you once called family and friend are now your worst enemies and hate you, simply because you no longer have a house to live in.

Being homeless was shear hell, I hated it. That was the worst year of my life, but thing that was worse was not the being homeless itself, as much as seeing your friends and family for the first time as who they really are. Believe me, you REALLY find out who your true friends are when you become homeless. We found out that with our friends and relatives, religion and keeping up appearances was more important than your friends. They pretended not to know us. Having no one to talk to during this ordeal, was the hardest thing of all.

Posted September 15, 2008

ElizabethJeanAllen says:

No. I don't beleive anyone would choose that.

Posted July 31, 2008

 
view all 42 comments

Countdown to "Make A Difference Day"

It won't be summer forever.

October 25, 2008 - Make A Difference Day. I intend to make at least 80 hats by then.

August 2 - 16 hats finished. 85 days to go.
August 22 - 45 hats finished.
September 1 - 61 hats finished.
September 8 - 71 hats finished.
September 15 - 79 hats finished.
September 29 - 83 hats finished.
October 10 - 95 hats finished.

October 14 - 12 scarves

I met my goal for Make A Difference Day.

Now I can start working on my goal for December.
Another 80 hats at least.

News OK

Powered by the Oklahoman, the State's Most Trusted News

I just realized this very self-same Squidoo lens is listed among the Homeless Shelters and Resources. In the section: Helping The Homeless. Hats for the Homeless. I clicked on it and came here. How nice of them to put me there. It's not just me, though. A lot of people have been helping me with an abundance of yarn, hats, gloves, mittens and scarves. People have also started sending fingerless gloves.
Oklahoma Homeless: Shelters and Resources
Information about homeless shelters across Oklahoma, assistance for the homeless and where to get food and advice is included here.

Crochet Pattern Books

Hats, Scarves, and Gloves

You've got the yarn, you've got the crochet hooks. Now you just need a good pattern. In addition to "QuickCaps", as shown way back at the top, here are some more fine pattern books.


Celebrity Crochet Slouchy Beanies-For the Family


Get Your Crochet On! Hip Hats & Cool Caps


Crochet pattern beginners hat includes 4 sizes from newborn to adult
(Crochet hats)


Hooked Hats:
20 Easy Crochet Projects

Scarves


Not Your Mama's Crochet:
The Cool and Creative Way to Join the Chain Gang


Hooked Scarves:
20 Easy Crochet Projects


Crochet Pattern teens and adult girls cowl / scarf


Crochet Scarves!:
16 Hip Projects for Dressing Up Your Look

Gloves and Mittens Plus...


Crochet Patterns For Dummies


Hat, Scarf and Gloves Adult Crochet Pattern 152 USA


Wrapped in Crochet


Hip to Crochet
(Hip to . . . Series)

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If I had a Logo

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Ashley & Danielle

I loved this photo of my granddaughters, Ashley and Danielle. I played with it at Picnik.com and came up with something I liked. Then I sent it to a company that makes mouse pads. Now I have the mouse pad at work and I love it.

How My Project Started

For those inquiring minds who want to know, you can read "How My Hats For Homeless Project Got Started".

SquiDirectory

Try It - You'll Like It.

SquiDirectory - A categorized Squidoo directory featuring an interesting variety of different subjects ranging from arts and literature, shopping, and eco friendly tips, to vehicles for sale, travel, and everything in between.

(Squidoo Costumes by Amelia7410)

My Websites

Both Hats For Homeless.org and Crochet For Homeless.org are Works In Progress. Every trip we make to the Tulsa Day Center For The Homeless and every new Crochet Pattern I see or is pointed out to me will make new entries to the sites. Please come visit and leave a comment.

HATS FOR HOMELESS.org There are lots of photos regarding our visits.

CROCHET FOR HOMELESS.org
Lots of links to Free Crochet Patterns. This site was created in honor of all those good people who asked me for a good pattern. From Beginner Patterns to Intermediate Patterns. Crochet Patterns for Hats, Scarves, Gloves, Mittens, Fingerless Gloves.

Lens Sightings Reader's Choice Awards

Who'da thunk it?

I feel honored to be nominated in the Lens Sightings Reader's Choice Awards. Also, surprised. I try to keep doing the next right thing in front of me. It's so awesome to be acknowledged. I would like to acknowledge all the people across the country who have pitched in and helped me with the Hats For Homeless project. Thanks for helping.

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Crochet (crow-shay) is a craft I've enjoyed doing for many, many, many years. When I "get in the groove", it's sort of like being in a meditational mode.... more »

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