Red Scarf Project 2008

In Case You Didn't Get The Memo

The Red Scarf Project for 2008 is now closed. 

I have been getting emails and comments wondering when to send the scarves.  If you didn't send your scarf between September 1 and October 15, 2007, for the 2008 Red Scarf Project, I'm afraid you've missed the boat.  The ship has sailed.  The barn door is closed.  The .... well, you get the message. 

You can read what happened when you were asleep at the wheel in the older posts here.  Stay tuned at the OFA site or here for future events.  You can always make a donation to the Red Scarf Fund.  The Red Scarf Project is but a teeny-tiny portion of what the OFA's mission is.  It is a scholarship organization, first and foremost. 

Thank you for your support and Happy New Year.

In Case You're Wondering

Yes, the OFA is full-up with red scarf love.  Doug (pictured above in the purple with Jim Foti, modeling some of "the more conservative submissions," he tells me, ha!) says that they got more than enough scarves, but not the overwhelming number of last year (phew!  we did it!) and they were deluged in the last week, after the 15th. 

Doug also tells me the quality this year is fabulous.  They are all so pleased.  The Red Scarf Fund has had no activity in a while and seems to have topped out at $5,440. 

We deserve to pat ourselves on the back.  Yay us!  Get ready for Red Scarf 2009, but let's give them a bit of a breather first, okay? 

A Gentle Reminder

Please consider knitting only one high-quality scarf for the Red Scarf Project, rather than several, this year.  Quality over quantity.  Quality over quantity.  (rinse and repeat)

Please remember that the OFA received far more scarves than they needed last year, and a quick gaze into my crystal ball (reinforced by the seeming flood of emails I have received expressing concerns or questions or confusion or consternation about the change in dates and the guidelines for this year's project) gives me cause to worry that what was last year a flood of scarves that nearly drowned the OFA in good intentions might this year be a tsunami. 

Knitters have a lot of enthusiasm for giving people knitted gifts, but the OFA serves a limited number of college students.   They are primarily a scholarship organization, and the Red Scarf Project is but a teeny-tiny branchlet of their mission.   

Quality over quantity.  One scarf.  A very nice, gift-quality one.  One that you would be proud to give your own college-age son or daughter.   Soft and lovely.   One, not dozens. 

I'll shut up now.  Lecture over.   

P.S. The opinions expressed in this blog are mine alone and I take full responsibility for them.

Clarifying Confusion and Answering Questions

The recent media and emailing blitz has raised awareness and generated excitement and enthusiasm, but apparently also led to some confusion, so let me reiterate a few things:

Just a reminder that the limit of scarves to donate, per individual or group effort, is FIVE.  The reason is the Orphan Foundation received far more scarves than they had recipients last year.   Any excess scarves this year will, of necessity, be donated by the OFA to other worthy causes. 

The deadline for sending scarves is October 15, 2007.  That is very early, yes, but again it's because they need more time to process the scarves and get them to the recipients.  It is possible they will go out before Valentine's Day this year, so they can be of more benefit in the colder months. 

I know knitters want to knit.  Knitters want to make a tangible item to send to show their caring and love.  However, because of the overwhelming (in the true sense of the word) enthusiasm and response to last year's Red Scarf Project, it was necessary to try to limit the number of scarves to a more manageable level.  The OFA and I hope everyone understands.  And I will reiterate once again that that is the reason for starting the Red Scarf Fund For Foster Youth.  Please consider sending a donation to the Fund, which can be put to so many good uses. 

Finished Scarves!

These two scarves will be sent to the OFA from JerseyShoreDeb.  Visit her blog or visit her on Ravelry: JerseyShoreDeb

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A message from Doug:

Sandi Wiseheart, Editor of KnittingDaily.com, has posted our info online at www.knittingdaily.com and sent out an email newsletter to 50,000 knitters/subscribers, alerting them to the Red Scarf initiative, and providing links to our site.  She also shot an impromptu little video of herself knitting the scarf and posted it here.

Sandi has started knitting a scarf and is documenting her work. She will share her pattern and progress on the scarf through the KnittingDaily.com site some time next week.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the Red Scarf Fund total stood at $4,661.

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A big thank you goes out to Lily Chin, who sent me some of her Red Scarf Fund signature yarn, Gramercy.  It's lovely, soft stuff, in just the right red.  I was so excited, I immediately cast on for another scarf.  I have had this "Kiss" yarn in my stash since Jesus was a baby, and it's just been waiting for the right thing.  Inspiration struck when I saw Lily's yarn, and I'm making another Corrugator scarf -- the scarf pattern of the month for me, apparently -- this one stripey.  I love how it's working up.

Time to Send Your Scarves

As of September 1st (until October 15th), you can mail your scarves to the OFA.  Here is the address:

Orphan Foundation of America
The Red Scarf Project
21351 Gentry Drive
Sterling, VA 20166

Remember, five maximum from individual or organization.  Notes of encouragement attached to the scarf, washing instructions, and a gift card from a national chain are all highly appreciated and encouraged.   

As I was writing this post yesterday, Beebs sent an email with photos of her three scarves all set to be mailed this morning. 

I love them.  Beautiful and fun!  Check out those pockets on the one on the right.

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And the day was not over.  I also got an email from kmkat bringing to my attention that SHE has also finished her scarves.  And they are beauties!

Take a look: 

And as promised for this Tuesday, I have awarded some prize awards in my main blog for those who have told me they donated to the Red Scarf Fund for Foster Youth. 

Red Scarf District

Yo!

  We are getting close to $5,000.  Well, okay, we have about a thousand more to go to get there.  But I'm an optimist.  Who knew?

Can we do it before the end of August? 

What do you think?   It's a knitters' and crocheters'
back-to-school challenge! 

Remember to email me if you've donated, if you want to be entered in the drawing.  And if you make multiple donations, I'll enter you multiple times.  More prizes thankfully received, as well. 

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New Crochet Pattern

We have a wonderful new crocheted version of Gwen's Scarf pattern to offer from Carol:

Download the pattern in a Word doc. by clicking below: (It's a big file, so please be patient. I know I should be able to make it into a pdf for you, but I'm sort of pdf-challenged/lazy, however you want to characterize it.  If anyone wants to volunteer to do that task, please help yourself.)

Download gwens_red_scarf_in_crochet.doc

Jeanne has converted the Word doc into a lovely pdf.  Thank you, Jeanne! Here it is:

Gwen's Scarf in Crochet Version

Make sure to see my regular blog for regular updates on donations and prizes for the Red Scarf Fund for Foster Youth.  Remember, you can send your scarves between September 1 and October 15, 2007.

Welcome to Red Scarf 2008

Welcome!  It's that time again....time to make red scarves for the Orphan Foundation of America's Red Scarf Drive. 

Those who have been following along know that I've written a lot about this in my regular blog in the Red Scarf category, and I've cross-posted most everything in the now-stale 2007 Red Scarf Blog.  This has caused some confusion to some people, because of the changes in the guidelines and dates.  Bear with me!  I will get all those entries (and the more specific guidelines and addresses, etc.) posted in this blog, but it might take a little time.

I know there is confusion about me and my role in all this, so let me try to set it straight.  I am not affiliated with the OFA.  I have donated this blog space and my time to promote the Red Scarf initiative because it is something that captured my heart.  I live in Vermont -- they are in the Washington, D.C. area.  In fact, I only just met a few of the OFA folks in person a few weeks ago. 

Last year there was some confusion because some people thought that the scarves were coming to my home, or that I worked in the OFA's Virginia offices and I was photographing them for the blog after they arrived.  No!  It's your responsibility to send me a photo of your completed scarf via email if you would like it to appear in the blog.  I am a busy person with a very full-time job and very full life, so I can only post the photos and information in the blog as I have time. 

Also, please understand the mountains and mountains of packages and scarves the OFA receives and try to refrain from calling them to ask if yours arrived.  If you had any idea what the mountains of boxes look like, you'd know what I mean.  If you're anxious whether your scarf is going to arrive, I suggest sending it via a method with tracking or purchase (for 50 cents, I believe) a delivery confirmation from the post office. 

So, enough of me being a schoolmarm.  :)

Hopefully you also know about the new and exciting Red Scarf Fund for Foster Youth.   

Click here to donate:

And visit my regular blog frequently to see the wonderful prizes that people have donated to be awarded to donors to the Fund.  Email me at norma[dot]knits[at]gmail[dot]com with the subject line RED SCARF FUND if you donate to be registered to win!  It's important that you put that in the subject line, as I sometimes receive over 100 emails a day, and it could get lost in the shuffle. 

Everyone should also know by now that the OFA was overwhelmed with our wonderful scarves last year -- "overwhelmed" in the true sense of the word.  They received far, far too many scarves to deal with!  This year there have been some changes in the guidelines as a result.  Please read about them on the OFA website and here.

And the timing has changed, so they have time to do all that they need to do to deliver the scarves to their recipients.  The goal is for the scarves to arrive between September 1 and October 15, 2007.

That is all I have time to write right now, but bookmark this blog or put it in your feedreader to be kept abreast of the updates.  Thanks everyone for your wonderful support!