Author: Jessica

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A Reminder

This time of year it’s natural to wonder if scarves are a good idea. With a heat index of over 100 and warnings about heat stroke, do we really think that giving someone a scarf is a good idea? In a word: yes.

As you can see from this message we received on this day four years ago, the scarves are a good idea, whatever the weather outside.

This morning I watched a sexual assault victim choose a scarf, open it and revel in its softness, read the tag, and cry tears of relief. No matter how many times they’re told in words that they are not alone, sometimes the thing that helps that realization sink in best seems to be the tactile experience of choosing and putting on their scarf, and being told that without knowing them, other survivors care about them and wish them well as they move forward. I was asked to thank Threads of Compassion OKC on behalf of that person. Thank you. ❤

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Scarves Needed!

photo of scarves

Do you have time to make one or or a few scarves?

I’m asking because one of our contacts at the YWCA reached out to me Friday to let me know that they are out of scarves. I have some here that should get them by for a bit, but it’s time to make more.

If you can knit or crochet, please join us in making scarves. Any pattern or color is fine, please use acrylic yarn and make them at least 5″ wide and 65″ long.

Completed scarves can be dropped off in the office at the Memorial Road church of Christ building in Edmond, or we can make individual arrangements.

Thank you for joining us in sharing comfort!

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It was good to get together

One of the best things about Threads of Compassion is the people! I love the encouragement that comes from working together. Having to cancel our meetings due to social distancing requirements has been a disappointment.

So, today it was great to get together online! There were just 6 of us, but it was great to see each other’s faces and get to share about what we’ve been doing. It was nice to realize that none of us is alone in not feeling super-productive even though we have some extra free time. Somehow it’s a relief to realize that others are just kind of barely making it at times too.

We don’t know yet what next month will look like, but we do know that for now, our work goes on, scarves are still being distributed at hospitals, and survivors are still being comforted by our work.

So, please, hang in there with us. Pick up your yarn and hook or needles as you can and let’s have some scarves ready to package when we can all get back together.

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Taffy Pull Scarf

woman modeling a multicolored taffy pull crocheted scarf
The Taffy Pull Scarf

Have you ever looked at something and thought “hmm, how did they do that?”

I have, often when I see the beautiful scarves one of our volunteers makes. She’s our go-to when we have questions about which colors or textures to mix. She can look at just about anything and then create something like it. Patterns aren’t really her thing, she just creates. She also can take the leftover bits people have and come back with a beautiful completed scarf.

This pattern for the Taffy Pull Scarf is one that inspired some of the ones that the rest of us look at and say “wow, that’s beautiful, how’d you do that?” So, I decided it’s my turn to try one too. I have some donated yarn and I’ve printed the pattern, so I’m ready to go.

If you’d like to make one too, you can find the pattern here, and join in the fun! It’d be great to see photos of the completed ones as we finish.

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Threads in July

You may have noticed that we take a break from meeting in July. This doesn’t mean that our work stops. In the past, at least 50 scarves have been needed this month to offer comfort to survivors! We hope you’re continuing to work on ones that we can package next month.

Also, our other July project is to start getting ready for the fair. It’s time to register for the Oklahoma State Fair Creative Arts Competition! Registration happens all online.

You can check out all the fair’s rules here. Please note that the deadline to register is August 15th at 5pm. Scarves must be dropped off at the fair on September 7th or 8th.

We can deliver your scarf to the fair for you! We’ll just need your scarf delivered to us by September 6th.

Whether you want to try a new pattern or one you’ve done many times, we hope you’ll take time to register and create a scarf for the fair. It’s so encouraging to see the display there amidst all the other needlework crafts.

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Threads of Compassion in July

While we’re taking a break from meeting in July, the work continues!

Historically in the summer months approximately 50 scarves have been distributed each month, so please keep creating them.

Also, starting July 1st you can register to join us in submitting scarves to be displayed at the Oklahoma State Fair and then donated. You can find all the details on the Oklahoma State Fair website.

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We have a great team!

I am so thankful for the people that have helped us over the years with this project! There are a couple who have been here from the beginning, and others that we’ve just met. We really appreciate each one of them.

A few months ago a reporter from The Oklahoman newspaper joined us and learned about our work. It was fun sharing with her and answering her questions. The article she wrote about us was published February 12th.

While it is a great snapshot of our work, it’s important to know that we have lots of great volunteers that didn’t make it into the article. One of those is a lady who lives in Michigan and has sent over 800 scarves over the years. Yes, over 800!

If you’re looking for a great way to encourage people going through a tough situation, we’d love to have you join us. You can visit with us at a Work Day, or work on your own and drop them off during the week.

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Changing our March Meeting Date

Due to the wintery weather and icy road we are rescheduling our March Work Day. Instead of meeting today we will be meeting Sunday March 10th.

Whether you can come for a few minutes or stay for quite awhile, we hope to see you there!

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Join us in March!

Our next Work Day is Sunday, March 3rd and we’d love for you to join us.

We’ll be meeting from 2-5 pm in room A123 at the Memorial Road Church of Christ in Edmond to work on scarves, visit, and package completed scarves.

Please stop by for a few minutes or the whole time, whatever works best for your schedule.

Whether you can knit or crochet or help package the scarves we’d love to have you join us!

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Join us Sunday

Join us Sunday!

This coming Sunday, February 3rd (yes, we know there’s a big football game happening that night) is our next Work Day. We’re looking forward to getting together and sharing pattern ideas, crocheting and knitting, and packaging scarves.

We always welcome newcomers. Whether you can stay for a few minutes or a few hours, we’re glad to have you join us.

We’ll be in room A123 at the Memorial Road Church of Christ (2221 E. Memorial Rd.) in Edmond from 2-5pm.