OPERATION RICHIE'S CAP: This is a project for making chemo caps for cancer patients in memory of my friend, Richie Aaron. I have created a knit and crochet pattern and it's free when you'll make a cap to donate. This project continues to be such a success as I receive hats from all over the country from customers that have come by the shop or read about it on-line and mail them on to me. I encourage yarns for warm caps for winter months and cotton, bamboo, etc. for summer months to protect against the sun.

OPERATION WARM HANDS: This is another wonderful project of making mittens for donation for the 2009-2010 winter season to those with a need. What a great small project for the knitter with little time and so worth while to a child with cold hands! I invite you to help in this project......it's a great summer project too

OPERATION PRECIOUS BABY: I was approached by Melodie Provost, who heads Project Linus, Cumberland, Maine, and was told that she had been contacted by the Maine Medical Center, Neo-Natal Unit for sweater, hat and bootie sets to be used for their tiny preemies and for bereavement kits. This sounded like something I wanted to help with so I have added a new donation project to my "Gathering Hands" and I'm calling it, "Operation Precious Baby". This new project is strictly for preemies and any preemie pattern you like can be used, however; I have written a pattern that I will give out free to anyone who will knit for my project. My pattern is for very small preemies and written in three sizes. The first size is done on fingering weight yarn using a size 2 needle and will fit a preemie under 1 lb. The second size is done using DK/Sport weight yarn using a size 3 needle and will fit a preemie between 1-3 lbs. The third size uses worsted weight yarn and a size 4 needle and will fit a preemie between 3-5 lbs. I will turn over the sets I receive to Melodie and she will match a preemie afghan or quilt for each set and will deliver them to the Maine Medical Center, neonatal unit. I have already given her 25 sets knit by myself and the wonderful ladies from my Thursday knitting groups and some who have learned of the project through these gals but I need more knitter for this project. Upon seeing what we delivered, the hospital has requested that the most needed sizes are the first two sizes (under 1 lb and 1-3 lbs) and suggested that we make these sets in yarn colors that are best suited for a girl or a boy and if using a solid white to add an accent of either pink or blue such as for the ties to identify boy or girl as that is what the parents would prefer. Because some of these sets may be part of a bereavement kit we want to be sensitive to the parents wishes. If you can help with this project please drop me an email at gifts@maine-crafts.com and I will see that you get a patterns!