Crafters needing to know whom to craft for and what's needed.

[knitter4democracy]

Please forgive me for posting here when I'm not a vet, but the issue's been raised that we would like to know whom to help.

Many of us are already crafting for the troops and sending items in to various charities and all, but it would be nice to help fellow DUers, too.

I know I shouldn't talk, since my poor health last year set back the knitting I was doing for DUers (a pair of socks and a helmet liner), but I'm feeling better and needing to know whom to send helmet liners to.

We can make most anything, from helmet liners to socks to cooling scarf-thingies (tubes filled with cooling beads to help keep the back of the neck cool in the desert heat). Some are making blankets for the wounded vets at the VA centers, too.

Whom do we have over there, and would anyone want anything? My current helmet liner is already spoken for (if he likes soft black wool and not something else), but I have more yarn ready and waiting. Boot socks are also a possibility, depending on whether anyone would want those or not, and I'm sure other crafters in the crafters' forum would like to help out. There's a pattern floating around on-line for mittens with trigger fingers, too (sniper cozies, I believe they're called).

I'm sorry if this isn't all that clear. I think I picked up my daughter's cold on top of everything else. Basically, I just would like to know if anyone wants anything and what they want.

[AnneD]

1. I do a few odd crafts....

and would be happy to make stuff for the guy, send packages etc. If anyone has a place to send it I would be happy to add my name to the list. Glad to see you back knitter-cold and all.

[knitter4democracy]

6. His mom said she'll get me his addy when he gets one.

He's in transition, I guess. Not that I really understand it all--the military is quite complicated, I think. Anyway, as soon as I know, I'll let you know.

Oh, here's the thread on the Crafter forum:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=390x381

There are a few good links on there for other charities. I also have a link to the crocheted and knitted helmet liners and sewn neck cooler thingies on my blog, http://riverwalkyarns.blogspot.com (it's in the links on the side).

[murielm99]

2. I haven't seen you here

in awhile. It is good to see you again.

I am sorry that I don't knit. But I wish you improved health good cheer while you help others.

:thumbsup:

[knitter4democracy]

4. Bless you, and thank you.

I'm still recovering . . . It's making me grumpy. ;)

I feel so guilty about not finishing that helmet liner before my surgery last year, let alone the one this last fall . . .

[ninkasi]

3. Isn't there a forum for crafters now?

I haven't checked it out yet, but am planning on doing it soon. Maybe you could ask there.

[knitter4democracy]

5. I've posted it there, but we were thinking a list would be nice.

We'd like to send our things and care packages to DUers or DU loved ones directly, if we can.

[ninkasi]

7. Good idea

I'm afraid I can't knit, but work with polymer clay, and altered books and other altered art pieces. The office I worked in before I retired had a project going, where all of us who could crochet brought all of our leftover yarn to work, and croched afghans which we took to different retirement homes. Since our jobs were in customer service, and we could crochet and talk at the same time, management didn't object. We had a huge barrel of yarn, and all of our efforts were very much appreciated by the old folks, who often had no visitors. You've got a good idea going, good luck with it.

[knitter4democracy]

10. The helmet liner pattern comes in a crochet version.

It looks good, too.
http://www.geocities.com/helmetliner/

[unhappycamper]

8. Thank you for thinking of my Brothers and Sisters.

Your kindness is greatly appreciated.

[knitter4democracy]

9. Our troops are all our brothers and sister, sons and daughters.

It infuriates me that they might be cold or get sick, or worse, wounded or killed, because they don't have what they need while big contractors run away with billions of our tax dollars. I can't imagine how angry it makes someone living with it every day.