Return to the Feeding My Yarn Addiction blog

Feeding My Yarn Addiction

By Rose Stricker ( Contact )   March 2, 2009

Hello. My name is Rose Stricker, and I have an addiction to yarn. I have baskets full of it at home, yet I can't stop buying more. Rummage sales, second-hand stores, if I see yarn, I buy it. Even though I enjoy crocheting, I cannot crochet faster than I accumulate yarn.

Yes, I am truly helpless to my addiction.

But, there is hope!

The Janesville Gazette recently reported that the local chapter of Project Linus needs more donated blankets and afghans. I've donated afghans to Project Linus in the past, so I am eager to help again.

A while ago I found an idea for an afghan which is great for using all my scrap yarn. My idea is to use the pattern and arrange the colors in a rainbow fashion.

Oh yes, I've already visited Judith from Project Linus and raided her impressive “wall of yarn”. I picked out several purples, yellows, and oranges to complement some odd colors I already have. (...and about 8 skeins of baby blue for a separate donation. I told you I was addicted, did I not?)

Once I figure out how to post pictures to my blog, I will certainly share my progress with you.


You can make an afghan or blanket, too! If you need materials, call Judith at (608)752-9248. It won't cost you a thing!

If you want to help but you couldn't sew or knit to save your life, you can donate yarn for afghans or cloth for blankets. There are several dropoff locations including the Walmart Super Center in Beloit, Tea and Textiles in Jefferson, Fort Sew 'n Vac in Ft. Atkinson as well as Judith's house in Janesville.

Then grab your library card and log onto Rockcat to find knit, crochet, and quilt pattern books!

reader COMMENTS
webuser
Mar 4, 2009 at 10:07 a.m.
Suggest removal

Rose,
Thanks for getting that infomation for me. I was going to contact Judith, but just hadn't gotten around to it yet.

Happy crocheting!

rstricker
Mar 3, 2009 at 2:32 p.m.
Suggest removal

webuser: (and others who also wondered) I e-mailed Judith and asked your question. Here is her reply:

"Good question!

If I know who donated the blankets (sometimes donations just arrive in anonymous bags), I contact the person who donated to let them know we do NOT accept blankets that smell of smoke or are covered with pet hair. Blankets that are clearly old or used are also not acceptable as our policy is "new, child-friendly handmade blankets". A purchased, factory-made blanket may be acceptable but only if someone has creatively done some kind of alteration - embroidering a corner, doing a blanket stitch around the edge, etc. to make it "handmade".

In the beginning of my chapter, I often tried to wash, wash, and rewash the odors of cigarette smoke from blankets or clean pet hair off of them but it just is an impossible situation. The national headquarters adopted a policy a few years ago to never distribute blankets that could possibly be harmful to children such as those with pet hairs, mildew, smoke, etc.

When I don't know the donor to talk with them and/or return an unacceptable blanket, there are still other places in Janesville for such blankets other than the landfill! One example - animal shelters love to receive blankets to use as bedding for the animals."

So, now you know! :)

rstricker
Mar 2, 2009 at 11:51 a.m.
Suggest removal

Good question, webuser. I don't have an answer, but I have another question: What about the donations? That box of yarn from Aunt Millie's attic must be iffy, too. If you have concerns, I bet Judith could answer them.

webuser
Mar 2, 2009 at 11:39 a.m.
Suggest removal

What is the policy for project Linus for those who have pets in their home? Will they accept afghans created in homes with pets? (I know fish wouldn't be a problem, but cat and dog hair can be hard to get rid of.)

Before you post a comment, consider this:

Note: WCLO.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy Agreement
  • Keep it clean. Comments that are obscene, vulgar or sexually oriented will be removed. Creative spelling of such terms or implied use of such language is banned, also.
  • Don't threaten to hurt or kill anyone.
  • Be nice. No racism, sexism or any other sort of -ism that degrades another person.
  • Harassing comments. If you are the subject of a harassing comment or personal attack by another user, do not respond in-kind.  Hit the "Suggest Removal" button on offensive comments.
  • Share what you know. Give us your eyewitness accounts, background, observations and history.
  • Do not libel anyone. Libel is writing something false about someone that damages that person's reputation.
  • Ask questions. What more do you want to know about the story?
  • Stay focused. Keep on the story's topic.
  • Help us get it right. If you spot a factual error or misspelling, email programming@wclo.com or call 608-752-7895.
  • Remember, this is our site. We set the rules, and we reserve the right to remove any comments that we deem inappropriate.

Post Comment

Commenting requires registration.

Username:
Password: (Forgotten your password?)

Comment:

ADVERTISEMENT