December Harry's Hundred Update and Final Tally

WOW.  I don't know that even in my wildest hopes and imagination that I thought this project would end up the way it did.  To be honest, I thought it was a nice idea, but I knew that I was not the world's fastest knitter on my best day, and I knew that most of my knitterly friends had plenty of their own projects to work on, and own lives to live.  When I posted about Harry's Hundred to a Ravelry group, in their Knitting for Charity thread, I'd hoped to get a few people to donate one or two items in the name of the project, and hoped that might get us close to 100 items by the end of 2016.

Did I HOPE we could reach 100 items?  Yes, or I wouldn't have even decided to try.  But I was also trying to be realistic, and knew that there was a good possibility that it wouldn't end up the way I liked.  But I felt it was worth doing, and any items donated would be a plus.

Let's see how December worked out, and then do the final count, shall we?

The two items below were knitted by GringaTurista (Rav link) and donated as part of the project:

She calls this one the 70s Subdued  Cowl - I think the colors are great -

bright but also still something that even "manly" men would feel comfortable wearing.

Plus, nice and cozy!

These are "Grey Guys : The Sequel, and being a fan of tweedy yarn, 

I think they look quite elegant.

Next up, redindian (Rav link) knit and donated this blanket, which she calls the Green and Cream Blanket:

This is beautiful, right?  I love the combo of the cables and the seed stitch,

and the outline in black.  Imagine the joy that a person 

receiving this felt!

Then there's her Staggered Cables Blanket, finished "in the last hours of 2016":

I am extremely fond of cables, so this one is really appealing to me.

And then, Kim wowed me even more than usual with her contributions!  Look at this lovely hat and scarf:

There's no way these aren't the softest things in the world, right?

But then she sent me this picture of her last group of items donated to a shelter:

5 hats

4 scarves

14 washcloths

A total of 23 items, just in this photo!

Before continuing, I have to tell you a funny story about the e-mail she sent with the photo above.  The subject line was "Bound for the Shelter."  Of course, being obsessed with animals, and knowing that Kim has pets, my first (panicked) thought was, "OMG, why is she taking one of her pets to a shelter????" and I almost didn't want to open the e-mail ... needless to say, all's well that ends well as far as that went!

What a way to end the project, with so many beautiful, cozy, and useful items knitted to be given to people who may get nothing else new for months or even a year again.  

Thanks does not even begin to express how I feel, and how much I appreciate not just these items, but Every.Single.Piece. that was made and donated.  At a time when so many of us are feeling uncertain about our futures and the future of the world, I find it particularly comforting to know that the kindness of strangers is still going strong.  There is a well-known expression "Think globally, act locally" and as the year continued, I realized that the Harry's Hundred Project could fall into that category.  

So thanks to everyone who contributed, who thought about contributing, or who just appreciated what I was hoping to do.  

LOOK WHAT WE DID, PEOPLE!!

Goal:  

100 items

Final tally:  

153 items

donated, in the U.S. and Europe

On behalf of my father's memory, I thank you. I'm so thrilled that his 100th birthday was able to be noted in such a meaningful way.  I'm sure he would be even more touched and honored than I am.

November Harry's Hundred Update

Before I get too carried away with December (and God knows I do get carried away!), I wanted to give you the Harry's Hundred update for November.  It was a good month!  Not just because the items below joined so many others that people have contributed, meaning that those who need some special warmth and attention will be getting it, but because here we are with one month left in the Project, and:

WE'VE GONE PAST 100 ITEMS!!!

I am so incredibly excited about this, and humbled that so many people - particuarly ones I will never meet in person - have participated.  People all over the U.S. and Europe!  I had hoped that at least a few people that I am in touch with on a regular basis would contribute, and *hoped* we could get close to, or at least reach 100 by the end of the year.  I am truly blown away by the thoughtfulness of people.  

So, let's take a look at the things from November that pushed up the numbers.

From Gringa Turista (Rav link), who has done so many lovely mittens and included them in Harry's Hundred, we have three more pairs:

 Blue Popcorn Mittens

 Black and Blue Mittens

 Grey Guys

From marjos (again, Rav link), in Belgium, who has been knitting for local shelters, we have So.Many.Things! (Plus, according to her profile, she has two pups, so you know she has to be a good person, right?)

 3 blankets, 1 shawl, 1 readers wrap, 1 pair fingerless mitts, 4 hats

35 hats

(I'm 99% sure I haven't knit 35 hats in my entire life, much less in one fell swoop ...)

Now I have to tell you, when I got the messages from these two people and realized they would put the Project over 100 items, I was so touched, I cried.  Because people will be getting these and they will be able to feel warm, cozy, and hopefully at least a little bit loved.  And for a lot of them, it may be the only thing making them feel that way.

That is what it's all about in the end.  Kindness and giving, without expecting personal thanks or recognition from the recipients.  Giving because you want to, not because you feel you have to.  Not worrying about who receives it, or if they'll wear it or use it the way *you* would want them to.  Real gifts.

Thank you so much!  I would like to think that Harry is smiling big in heaven, knowing that these things were donated in his name to help other people.  I know I'm smiling big right here.  :-)

Here's our tally with a month still to go:

Goal:  100

Tally so far:  124!!!!!

Now that my gift-knitting has been completed, I'm hoping to squeeze in a few more things myself, and I hope if you are so inclined, you'll do so too.

Amazing.  In the best way possible.

Happy Holidays, indeed.  :-)

September and October Harry's Hundred Update

Hello again.  I am so glad that my little message from yesterday was well-received by at least all of those who commented (and hopefully for any lurkers as well).  It's funny - I have been trying for so many months to find good things to think about, do, and act upon, because I needed to think of ways to keep myself afloat; and now I need it more than ever, but I'm glad for my mental state that I was already trying.  I think that otherwise I would have just sunk to a depth that would be really hard to move from anytime soon.  So I hope that post was able to do anything even remotely small to help you.  If not, please know I tried. 

Edited to add: If you have a blog from Blogger, I'm not ignoring you - but for the past three days, I have not been able to comment on any blogspot.com posts at all unless the comments are moderated; it tells me to "Select Profile" and then nothing happens.  Sigh.  (I have no idea why, but I'll keep trying to figure it out.)

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Let's move on to something else positive, which makes me feel better, and should make plenty of others feel better as well.  It's time for a Harry's Hundred update.

September

Thank God for Kim's contribution, because the past two months, I'm afraid I have added nothing.  I'm hoping once my gift knitting is finished (so close!), I can at least end the year on a good note.  

Anyway, Kim contributed these two items, a hat and a cowl.  Am I the only one who absolutely loves the colors, and would actually wear them together?  The other thing i appreciate here is the reminder that a cowl is a perfect contribution - in some ways, easier to wear than a scarf!  

October

October was a really good month for the project!

Before I forget, the same Kim from above sent me an e-mail saying that she knit 5 hats and sent them off,  but forgot to take pictures.  FIVE HATS - that's a LOT!

Next up, another wonderful project and idea.  This is a pillow knit by redindian (Rav link), and this is the note she sent to me about it:

"There are going to be lots more like this as the house my group are knitting for will house fifteen previously homeless, mostly men and we hope to knit or crochet a blanket and a pillow for each of them." 

How great of an idea is that?  I mean, having your own blanket and pillow - that would have to make you feel loved and safer, right?

Next up, another set of fun mittens from GringaTurista (Rav link) - I love how they are the same but different, and have nice pops of color for cold, wintry days!

And then, something for babies!  This is a sample of booties knit by marjos (Rav link).  Her knitting group is making these as well as socks for a Belgian knitting group collecting them for babies in Senegal.  She said in her note that 25 pairs - TWENTY-FIVE of them!! - were sent as part of Harry's Hundred.  AMAZING.   Baby toes will be so cozy and colorful in these. :-)

I have to say, that I am also happy because there are people knitting, crocheting, etc. for this project and not just sending things all over the world, but the crafters themselves are from all over.  Especially in our current world, knowing that there are people all over who want to contribute makes me feel so very happy.

OK, guys here's where we are as of today's date:

Goal:  100
Tally so far:  76

DO YOU SEE THAT?  We still have two months left, and we are nearly at 100 items!  I am overwhelmed, grateful, and touched.  And I have to tell you, my dad would be smiling from ear-to-ear.

A humongous THANK YOU to all who contributed, not just this month, but so far - there are others who are, and will be, having a slightly better time of it because of your kindness and good thoughts.  And isn't that something worth celebrating?

I know it makes me feel hopeful, and right now especially, that counts for a lot.

July and August Harry's Hundred Update

First of all, thanks to all of you for your supportive comments on the previous post.  I feel better knowing that I was not just being oversensitive.  Granted, it's not like I can do anything much about the way I feel, but sometimes you just want others to weigh in, you know?

Anyway, on to other things of a more positive nature.  :-)

I completely flaked out and forgot to do a Harry's Hundred update for both July and August.  And when I did think of it, I would be at work, or on vacation, or ready to fall asleep - times when I did not have easy access to either my computer or the pictures.  So let's do it now, while everything is ready to go!

I don't have pictures, because she forgot to take any before sending them off, but Dee knitted two hats for Harry's Hundred, and they have likely been received by now, and will happily warm heads once the cold weather actually hits.

During July, I knit this pair of fingerless mitts (Ravelry link here).

These were fast and easy to knit, and you end up with a really nice pair of mitts.  The pattern is very straightforward, and I can see many of these in the future, both for this project as well as for gifts, etc.

August brought these items into the overall count:

First up, this hat made by frogstitch, which looks so cozy, I wouldn't mind having it for myself!

Then, the ever-reliable GringaTurista made these mittens, which she calls "Mitten Pox Are Contagious," which completely cracks me up!

Finally, another effort of mine, which I call the Seedy Stockinette Hat (Ravelry link here).  When I made this, I made it so that the brim is extra warm around the ears, by knitting an extra long brim that is then folded inside.  I'm very pleased with how it turned out.

Thanks to every single person who has been nice enough to work on projects and let me know about them.  We are getting a nice variety of things, and it makes me happy to think of how many people will have something nice and/or warm this winter as a result.

Here's our latest tally:

Goal:  100 items
Tally so far:  42

Almost halfway there - and even if we don't hit our goal, at this point there will be 42 warmer, cozier, and hopefully somewhat happier wearers of our work!

Harry's Hundredth

It occurred to me the other day that I forgot to do an update for July for Harry's Hundred.  So I figured since we were already into August, I'd just wait and do a two-month update.  So that's not what this post is about.

Nope, this is a post for Harry's Hundredth - 100 years ago today, my dad was born in Wheeling, West Virginia.  He was the oldest of four children - two boys, two girls.  At the age of thirteen, when his father was killed by a train on the way home from work, the kids would be split up, and the two oldest (Harry and Mary Agnes) would live with one set of relatives, and the two youngest (Helen and John) with another.  Though of course he saw his younger siblings often, he was never as close to them as he might have been had the family been able to stay together.

Here he is at four months old.  This is one of my very favorite pictures, and is in a frame on display in our house.

(Oh how this amused me as a child - a boy in a dress!)

The funny thing is, he looks pretty much the same as a baby as I remember him as an adult!  I know that most people retain some of the look of their baby pictures, but this one is really uncanny.

He used to tell stories of playing football in high school, where he said it was not uncommon when one guy came off the field, he would take off his jersey, so that someone else going onto the field to play would have a jersey to wear - try to imagine that happening today in most places!

Just like many of his generation, the defining event of his young adulthood was World War II.  He joined the Army, and his main claim to fame was as the singer in the base's band.  He used to claim that women would swoon when he sang.  (My mother claimed otherwise.)

He and my mother were quite a couple.

With a flair for the ridiculous, which was passed on to their children.

He was a real ham - loved to sing, dance (well ... ), perform, anything like that.  What would start as a card game at our house could easily turn into a sing-along.

In this epic drama, he's on the far right.  I don't know what/when this is.  (Probably for the best.)

We were a fun family, who moved a lot, and as a result were very close.  I've posted this picture before, but this is the only family picture that exists, and it was taken long before I was born.  But it's one of my favorite pictures, because everyone is clearly so happy and healthy.

My dad died when I was 13 years old, from liver cancer, at a time when the treatment was nearly as deadly as the disease.  And yes, I remember that, and I remember seeing him then and not really recognizing him looking like my dad.  But 99.99999999% [repeating] of my memories are the fun ones and the good ones.

When I was little, he would end up babysitting me a lot while my mom and sisters went shopping or who knows what.  It was not uncommon for us to end up at his favorite bar if it was during the evening, so he could watch 'the fights' with his friends.  On weekend afternoons, we'd park ourselves in front of the TV and watch baseball games or football games, and share sandwiches and a beer (OK, I'd get a sip and have something else for my primary drink, but *I* still consider it having a beer!).  He loved to cook (and would use every single available pot or dish), and I was always "helping" him.  (I realize now that I probably spent the bulk of the time talking to him non-stop and God bless him for never telling me to shut the h*ll up!)  But I actually learned a lot about food and cooking from him.  He and my mother loved playing cards, going to the horse races (the whole family went along), and laughing.  He was a crazy goofy animal lover (sound like anyone you know?), and a real softie when it came to helping someone, human, furry, feathered, etc.

He took me to the circus every summer (this was when it was still OK to go to the circus).  It would be just the two of us, and it was the highlight for me of the summer - right before school started again.  A lot of our family vacations were trips to the Jersey Shore (northern end of things), and they were always an adventure, as he didn't think it was necessary to make reservations for a place to stay.  He was an early riser, even on vacation, and would get up around 6 a.m. and say, "Rise and shine girls, time to walk on the beach!"  (He knew better than to try and include my mother.)

He was a good guy.  He had plenty of faults, which I realized even as a kid, but he wanted all of us to do better and be better than he was.  He worked hard for his entire life, and I think - or would at least like to hope - that he got to do a lot of the things he enjoyed.

This is the last picture I have of him, taken from a program for a work-related organization event where he was the outgoing president.  I don't know specifically when this was taken, other than it was sometime in 1969.  He died in November of that year, and I'm guessing this was probably in the springtime.  But this is the Dad I remember.  And love. And think of and miss every single day.  

So if you are inclined, please give your dad a kiss, a hug, or a phone call today, if you are lucky enough to still have him with you. And tonight if you have a drink, please raise a toast to my dad - he would approve!

Happy 100th Birthday, Dad - I wish you a day of sing-alongs, card games, and cocktails!  Give our love to everyone.

June Harry's Hundred Update

Personally, June was one of the worst months this year for me personally.  I barely knit a stitch of anything, and sadly made nothing to contribute to this project.

But - fortunately, two lovely people kept their needles clicking away, and added to the total for Harry's Hundred.  I have to say, they are both "repeat offenders" and I am grateful for their contributions.  Not just so that the number of items increase, but because it means that people will be receiving items that they would otherwise not have, that can keep them warm, and hopefully make them feel that someone cares.

Without further ado, I present the additions from June.

Kim is not just a dear friend and a wonderful person, but a prolific knitter and someone who will make many people feel the love with her knitted items.  She sent me these photos so I could add the items to the overall tally.

A beautiful pair of gauntlets (with fancy button detail!), and a hat and scarf (the scarf has some of my most fave colors, btw).  I think we can agree that these will bring a smile to some faces, right?

Next, a woman I now only know via Ravelry, but whose contributions are making a really big difference each month in the totals, GringaTurista (Rav profile link).  More cozy mittens!

She calls these "Mitten Pox" which I love, and is quite possibly the only pox I think worth spreading. :-)

Thanks to these ladies for their efforts and continued contributions.  I really and truly cannot express how happy it makes me to learn that others are participating.

I have plans for July and especially for August, since that is the actual month of my dad/Harry's 100th birthday.  But even if nothing else happens on the part of me or anyone else, I think Harry's Hundred has already been successful - anything at all that has been made and contributed or will be contributed is a commitment to help our fellow humans.   And these days, every little thing makes more of a difference than ever.

So here's' where we are, halfway through the year:

Goal:  100

Tally so far:  36

Hooray!

May Harry's Hundred Update

Before we go much more into June, I wanted to give you an update on May's contributions to Harry's Hundred.  Only three more things this time around, but three more helps the overall count, and more importantly, three more mean that that many more people will be helped by receiving something someone made for them, hoping it will brighten a day or bring on a smile.   That's really what I want this project to do - the number is 100, but the items and the recipients are what really matter.

I do have to say that GringaTurista (Rav page) is probably the one person who is making the numbers go up - she apparently is not just a speed knitter, but also does tons of knitting for charity.  When I think of how many people receive things she has made, I imagine nearly everyone in the world receiving something!

Anyway, here are her two contributions for May.

 En El Lodo Mittens

Newspaper Mittens

I think she will be responsible for so many cozy hands once cold weather returns!

And I actually managed to knit something, albeit something small.  

Baby version - Zach Attack Hat

This is a baby-sized version of my own pattern for the Zach Attack Hat.  It's a little bit funky in spots, but much cuter in person, and I am hoping that some little one will be what makes it really look good. 

Goal:  100

Tall so far:  33

Granted, at the rate things are going, we may very well not hit the goal number.  And though I have to admit that would be slightly disappointing to me, I am blown away that there are so many things already made and donated/ready to donate as part of this project - I'll take it!  :-)

Hopefully, I can get myself in gear to make more things - I just recently convinced myself that they don't need to be major items (hence the baby hat), so that may very well help my contribution level.

Thanks to all who have participated, and who are still planning to participate.  I can't tell you how happy it makes me when I find out that one more thing has been added.

Onwards to June!

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You may have noticed that I [finally] figured out how to make links open in a new window.  It used to be part of the settings for the blog, but I recently learned that now it's a check-box in the window that opens for adding a link.  Better late than never ...

April Harry's Hundred Update

Before we get much more into the month, I wanted to do my monthly show and tell for what was included during April for Harry's Hundred.  I am dismayed to report that I did not finish a single thing during the month - for this project or anything else.  I got a few things started and then life intervened.  But hopefully I can add some things during May.

Again during April, GringaTurista (Ravelry ID) has been knitting up a storm.  She has been making mittens galore for Syrian refugees, and they are not just lovely, but they look so cozy and warm!  I think the persons who receive them will have warm enough hands that hopefully it will fill their hearts as well.

But wait - there's more!  Kathy B made a baby hat and a pair of socks to send to Pine Ridge Reservation.  I love the colors of the hat, so cheery and it will look so adorable on a baby.

The socks I love - I kinda wish I had a pair like that ...

So thankfully, these two knitters have provided a large increase in our overall tally.  I am so grateful for the contributions and for the way people have embraced this idea.  And I am having a blast seeing what everyone has made, and finding out where they are being sent/donated.

Goal:  100
Current tally:  30

A huge thank you to GringaTurista and Kathy B!  Let's see if we can keep things going for May. :-)

March Harry's Hundred Update

I have been meaning to write this post for a few days, and kept forgetting to download pictures from my camera to include my contribution!  But finally it's done, and so here is what has been added to Harry's Hundred for the month of March 2016.

The baby blanket and the two lap blankets above were knitted by redindian (Ravelry ID), and I am blown away!  Do you know how long it would take someone like me to knit ONE of these, much less three???  Anyway, she said she wanted to do something for a baby in a shelter, and she thought the baby blanket looked like it could be for a little boy - I think she's right, don't you?  And the lap blankets are so bright and cozy, surely someone will smile when they receive them!  She is in the United Kingdom, and I truly *love* that the project will reach across the Atlantic.  :-)

Next, we have my wonderful friend Kim who made these fingerless gloves for some lucky person.

I love not just the colors, but that they are nice and long, so that the wrist can keep warm too!  Thank you Kim, for being a generous regular in this endeavor.

Finally, my project which was finished a couple of weeks ago, but I kept forgetting to take a picture ... then I kept forgetting to upload the picture.  At last I got my act together, so here is a Seafarer's Scarf that I hope will make someone feel warm and cuddly.

I love this pattern, and have never given one of these scarves to someone who didn't love them, and the way they stay around your neck.  

Thanks to everyone who has contributed, not just in March, but so far all year.  I cannot express how happy it makes me to know that people are willing to help reach the goal.  

Goal:  100

Current tally:  23

Not bad, right?  I mean, the first quarter of the year is over, and we're very nearly a quarter of the way there.  THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!  

Onward for April - please consider joining us ...  :-)

February Harry's Hundred Update

We are almost finished with February, with today being the usual last day of the month, but this year we have Leap Day, so there's still one left! (I wish Leap Day would be on the weekend ... it would be more special.  Instead, it's just a work day. Oh well.)

Anyway, being that I can kinda/sorta post new pictures now, and that there are some new items to show you for Harry's Hundred, I decided to go ahead and update you today.

I have to tell you, some of those Ravelry knitters are amazing in their production levels!  I'm not complaining, just impressed.  :-)

One person, knitgiver, has made 12 hats already for the project!  She was also knitting hats for another group, so they are all in this photo together, along with those so far for the other group.

And you may remember GringaTurista from the last update, where she had knit a pair of mittens - well, here is the coordinating hat.

She told me she is "just getting started" - wow!

As for people I know in real life (yay, I get to say that!), Kim has made these two hats, after having already made a scarf that was in last month's update.

Oh wow, red AND stripes - two of my faves!

And believe it or not, I actually have something completed, and something else underway (I know, amazing but slow).  First up, the completed hat, which I thought was a nice bright color for the cold days or nights.

My other current knit for this project is a Seafarer's Scarf.  I've made a couple of these in the past for The Tim, and he loves them, as well as having made them for gifts, and they were a big hit.  Everyone loves the way they stay around your neck, keeping you warm.  I have a little more done than is in this photo, but the pattern is one that is quick to complete, since it is not at all complicated.

I have to say that I'm feeling pretty encouraged at this point, and I am more than grateful to everyone who is taking the time to participate.

Goal:  100
Current tally:  18*  (I'm only counting completed items)

Not too bad for only the second month of the year, huh?  Onward and upward!