Helping hands needed to support Stitches of Love

You’ve heard the phrase “A stitch in time saves nine.” It has a simple meaning. Mend the tear right away with one stitch instead of the 10 stitches it may take if it goes unfixed.

You can be that one stitch that goes a long way to sewing up a problem by helping Southwest Solutions provide warmth to those less fortunate this winter.

The program is called Stitches of Love.

*Crocheted pieces will be combined to create blankets to warm those in need this winter.*

All you have to do is crochet as many 8-by-8 inch squares as you would like between now and December 1 at 5:00 p.m. They can be any color or technique and can be dropped off at a site listed below. In December your work will become part of a blanket that will keep someone warm this winter.

“The beauty of this project is that we remember the importance of giving a unique gift in a meaningful way,” says Mayta Penman, director of resident engagement at Vista Partnership, an initiative of Southwest Solutions and several community partners. “Any blanket we produce will be one of a kind. No two creations will be the same, and this gives each piece special meaning.”

Each blanket requires 54 pieces, “which means many people are going to contribute great energy into each blanket,” she says.

Don’t crochet? You can contribute materials. They need:

Yarn of any type, color and any amount, knitting and crochet accessories, and knitting and crochet

You can drop the materials and crocheted squares off at:

Southwest Housing Solutions, 1920 25th St.
Source Booksellers, 4240 Cass Ave. #105
Living Arts Mon-Fri. 3-8 p.m., 2826 Bagley St.
Mama Cooa’s Boutique, 1701 Trumbull St.
Campbell Library, 8733 W. Vernor/Springwells
Southwest Economic Solutions Adult Learning Lab, 4214 W. Vernor

“This will make our families feel special and, in these difficult times, something so simple can go a long way,” says Penman. “Please pass the word and ask family and friends to join in.”

*Members of the Southwest Solutions sewing class crochet squares for the Stitches of Love project.*

You can also head to Open Streets Detroit on October 1 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., 3553 W. Vernor Hwy., to knit as many squares as you would like. During Open Streets Detroit, 3.5 miles of roadway are turned over to people. This “no vehicles” event is fun, free and offers opportunities for fitness, recreation and community building. You can join people walking, running, biking, rollerblading, skateboarding, and playing in the streets. Open Streets Detroit also includes complimentary programming at locations along the route featuring a wide variety of organizations.