It's interesting that with this pressure to be above-average we also have a corresponding rise in the incidence of Anxiety, Depression and other mental illness and crimes against others worldwide. It's no wonder when many people are posing as something they're not for their whole life. The fear of being "found out" as average is immensely disturbing. It's time we say NO to this ridiculous pressure and just enjoy being our ordinary selves caring for everyone in our community.xx

I love your videos Shannon, your open manner is refreshing. A real breath of fresh air. IT IS OK TO BE AVERAGE -THANK YOU. I am not a designer, just a Mum knitter and crocheter who uses other people's patterns and I am so grateful for the kindness of everyone who posts videos on KZbin, from crafts to recipes and teaching old ladies like me how to change a tap washer or tap etc. I prostrate to you all for making things easier for me. 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🇦🇺

Thank you, Shannon for this lovely video! I love your suggestions and ideas, and will definately put them to use. Happy Holidays to you and yours.

Criticisers need to get a life. I watch these craft videos to learn something not to peer into the background to see what the presenter has stashed or to critique their decor! Don't give them a second thought. I have an EXTENSIVE stash of beads because I got interested in jewellery making. So now it's yarns and beads and fabric. Thank goodness I'm divorced because the ex hubby wouldn't cope! And yes save the luxurious materials for yourself xx🌹🇦🇺💖 P.S. I concur with all your opinions 👍

Perhaps the blanket had been damaged or lost and they had liked it so much they wanted another to replace it. They possibly felt uncomfortable telling you it had met a sad end. Either way they wanted another so to me that doesn't sound like rejection. And yes, today people don't know how to care for handmade items or quality fabrics. They just throw them into the washing machine and then blame the item when it comes out damaged, shrunken and out of shape. I recall a handknitted pure wool jumper (sweater) I made for a friend's toddler appearing thickened and out of shape - it had obviously been thrown into the washing machine for a hot wash 😠 . I have never machine washed a knitted item, not even a purchased, machine-made or synthetic yarn one. Only other crafters understand how much time, effort and love goes into making gifts. Sounds like you have rationalized the situation to minimize your disappointment. Keep enjoying your passion for crochet and knitting. 🌹💖💖🇦🇺

I thinks it’s perfectly fine to decline rounding up ! We choose to give to our own charities

Thanks for the very timely message! Could you please provide details on your beanie?

I live in Ontario, Canada. What I am doing with my daughter is, we are taking a bunch of our yarn cakes and crocheting neck warmers. With one cake it makes it large enough to double as a neck warmer/hat. We then take them to city park and hag them on the branches of trees. Those that need them just have to take them.

I've been a charity crafter for years and years. I've never had to worry about financing my passion. The supplies always seem to be there. Those little serendipitous surprises in materials and opportunities are worth every stitch. And kindness is contagious in the best possible way.

I am a journal maker and abandon ALL my handmade junk journals at Little Free Libraries, the Senior Center, and even outside regular libraries. I also make counted cross stitch bookmarks, plarn mats for the homeless, kumihimo pro-Palestinian bracelets and key chains, painted rocks, and a whole lot more which are similarly abandoned. I do this year-round, not just at one time of the year. Often the pieces are just as liberal-minded as I am so people can take them or leave them as they please. I'd like to think that even if my crafts only make a difference to ONE person, that is one more person who is different in some way - even if they only got something for FREE in this corporatocracy of ours.

Really good topic and something to give serious thought to….. thank you Shannon. You always have interesting topics and you are very unique. I always enjoy your content ❤

Shannon, I don't "round up" at the supermarket either. I found out a while back that most of these organizations keep so much of what you give and end up giving a tiny amount (if anything) to the actual charity recipients. There was one large hospital I personally sent a check to every single month, but I ended up learning some terrible things about them. That's when I stopped giving cash. But I haven't stopped giving help. I have gathered clothes from friends/coworkers and given them personally to homeless people. I have made homemade food for hungry people. I have crocheted items for people who desperately need them in cold climates. There are lots of ways to help. My budget is extremely tight, so I'm no longer giving what little I have to wealthy CEOs. Instead, I'm giving what I can to the people who really need it. 🧡

At 80 years old, I’ve gotten to the point where if someone wants something, I offer to teach them how to do it themselves. I’ve found the desire for the object fades quickly. 🤣

My MIL taught me to crochet by making a lace doily. Thread and a small metal hook will teach you all the stitches and a lot of patience. Not recommended for beginners. 🤪

👏👏👏 This is such a soap box of mine too. The thing most people don't realize about the store checkout time donations is that the reason those stores do that is so they can count YOUR MONEY as a tax deduction for their store. People complain about billionaires getting out of paying taxes - well this is a huge way they accomplish that. I never donate at checkout and I have no qualms saying no lol. But some people would think im heartless. I would just rather give my money to organizations that I know and can see them using it for the causes I believe in. So I think you said it very well :)

Totally agree with you. Last week I delivered over 300 crocheted and knitted hats to an intermediate school in my town (I had some help) for #HatNotHate and now I’m making hats for a gentleman who distributes them to homeless. And working on some hats that will be available for children and adults through a local pantry. So easy to do. I have some people who donate funds for me to buy the yarn or donate yarn to me as they know I have limited funds but being retired I have time. I feel so blessed to be able to make a difference. Also going to start making some items for my nephew who is a law enforcement officer starting with hats this winter.

I'm working in improving my knitting skills (through the TKGA MHK course) so that I can make high-quality knitwear that my local animal shelters can sell in their shops. For example, shawls with a subtle cat or dog motif.

I've found that local law enforcement is a great place to ask about donating. They are often called into some really hard situations and encounter children more often than we would like. I know our local precinct collects toy donations to soften those ugly experiences.

Excellent video!

My general hospital here puts up a board each year. People tack up winter items in a bag. People who need that item are welcome to it.

Hey, good idea. Also do you have a tutorial for what you are wearing?

I give my knit hats to kids with cancer in my local hospital because I also had cancer. That’s my thing. I will give to veterans because my son is a veteran. Yes you have to pick and choose your charity

I make fiddle toys for dementia care patients, and blankets for the parents of children on long stay wards. I have a friend who makes matching hearts, which go to both patients and the loved ones of those in end of life care. I also do a yearly car boot sale of things I make, where the proceeds are split between an epilepsy charity and a mental health charity

Yeah, I don't trust stores that want you to donate through them. Do you think maybe they are claiming a tax deduction even though they are not the ones actually giving the money? I also don't trust many large charities any more; turns out there is tons of corruption. You have to look into them first and find the ones that are actually getting help to people in need.

Yes, it's all well and good to give gifts that you created yourself to someone but it's also good to give to charitable organizations. It's not difficult to check which ones are valid and check on where the money goes to. Legit organizations even give updates in real time as to where the donations are going to.

I enjoyed this video. 😊❤

Yes . 90% of my crochet is for donation . Northern-ish Minnesota here, so lots of winter sets .

Right after the election, I found out i had pneumonia. I couldn't go out & do activism so i began making LGBT pride colored bracelets to give to friends & Im planning on making some for a trans youth group.

Hello! Great ideas, thank you for posting this video 😊 I would recommend to check with the hospital before making NICU items. Some places have very specific rules about what they will take. I do recommend checking for a homeless shelter that would want the donations or a safe haven residence for homeless veterans. They would love hats, scarves, gloves/mittens.

There are any number of ways to give! I keep a donation box for crocheted items. That said, I always donate at the register for my local food bank because I volunteered for years and it is heartbreaking to see so many families and seniors food deprived. Great advice, Shannon.

I will buy a can of catfood for the donation box my local pet store has that they give to the local shelter.

I live in Western NC . A friend of mine is heading up Handmade Christmas Stockings for the children who have lost their homes. 200 children have been signed up. ❤

I just say no and I don't have cash.

Hi there, friend! A hobby store where I teach beginning crochet, are going to start a crochet circle where we can make hats and scarves for the homeless. It starts in January and they’ve received a recent yarn donation… entire bin ! So I’m looking forward to that 😊

I crochet/knit scarves and hats throughout the year for our unsheltered population. I'm also planning on some lap blankets for long-term care facilities. ❤

Nice job!! Fun and positive!!

Shannon your so right.i live in Ireland and I crochet blankets for kiddies in a Cancer ward they all get a blanket to keep and take home after treatment.i also do baby cardigans hats and ponchos for another charity .it's such a feel good feeling giving.ive been doing it for a few years now.💖💖💖ps it's also a great excuse to buy lots of yarn.💖💖💖

I donate yarn to my local senior center several times a year. Many are on fixed incomes and appreciate the yarn - when I find a great sale or clearance - I make a point to purchase some to pay it forward. 🧶

I just give local ❤

I made a scarf with this yarn, and I love it! It's gorgeous. I can't wait to buy more for another project. 😊

I just purchased few skeins myself not to put away. To finish my projects.😊

I had a professor who would shred our projects. At first, I was heartbroken because I spent so long on it and it felt GREAT to see the final outcome. The more he did it, the more I knew it was going to happen so it became more about the process than the final outcome. It helped me attach during the making and detach at the end. Was it the best way to teach that lesson? Absolutely not. 😂 It’s something that I held onto as a commission artist though. Once I signed the piece, I let go of the outcome.

I was recently thinking about how I really miss old Christmases with my parents. It’s hard losing your parents… holidays just aren’t the same anymore. But getting cozied up on the couch with a blanket and crochet project with the Christmas lights on helps to get me through 😊

Hi Shannon! Great video! ♥️ I might make something small for one or two people this year, but other than that I don’t have plans to make everyone Christmas gifts. I’ve been learning to not keep overwhelming and stressing myself out…that means not taking on as much…my body literally can’t take that anymore lol 😊

I just hate how DARK it is at this time of year. I live in the North East of England and daylight hours are very short, even on a clear day. When it's cloudy it feels like it's dark all day. To combat this, I make a blanket with the boldest, brightest colours I can find. This year, I've chosen Hooked by Robin's Festival Blanket. It really helps keep my spirits up.

Thank you for the subject... I have been thinking of that lately, since I just find I was too optimistic about a sock yarn brand that reacts badly to washing/wearing. It pills a lot and the garment looks old after only 2 washes, since the yarn is labeled as "superwash"... So, if I had to build my stash again, I would definitely give a good try to a yarn before getting a lot of it only because color and price are good for me. Lately, I discovered few other yarn brands that react way better than this one. I really like your videos, you have interesting topics. Thank you for sharing your crafting with us!

Thank you, I was going to opt out of the 'What a cozy evening of crochet looks like for me' video, until I watched the end. Just feeling a little discouraged with my channel lately. We're a few days into our first major storm of the season here too, (first atmospheric River to hit Cali) and maybe I'm feeling a little S.A.D. too, I don't know, Anyway, thanks for the encouragement to get editing, I think I have all the footage for it too. So, all I have to do is edit. Also, more livestreams sound fun, I'll try to catch your next one! 🎉🎉🧶🧶

Wonderful yarns you showed. I have an alpaca/merino blend that is incredible soft from a small Danish seller (not sure if they send outside Scandinavia) called Garnspecialisten. The brown I have is called coffee and it's dark like a dark cup of coffee too. They are all about recycling yarns and sometimes it can be hard to get the colour I want but I can wait until they have them in stock again.

Embracing the cozy things helps, and for me that is yarn and crochet. And yes I do enjoy wearing my compression gloves without my hands sweating😂

Keeping active can help SAD. So say, if you have to go and shovel the walkways or driveways *yet again*, there way be that feeling of accomplishing something. Then as a reward, you can go Bonus if you can look forward to test driving your cosy knit/crochet garments. While I'm cleaning off the car, I get to see how well my mittens work and appreciate that I made the cuffs of my sweater longer, as well as the ribbing on the body longer. No cold breezes! Then I can go back inside more confident that I know I need to add more length to sweater patterns. I want to try a wool-cotton blend as a layering sweater for indoors during the winter. I have also tested mittens and fingerless mitts out when walking the dog. My focus is on meeting the dog's needs yes, but I can enjoy how warm my socks are, and evaluate what would make better dog walking mitts. All of this as opposed to thinking "I hate being out in the freezing slippery slush, I wish the ploughs would come by but they won't because there is not enough snow!" Of course, sometimes being outside in the elements sucks, and I think that it is ok to recognize that feeling as natural. It is a balance.