Comments on: Second Hand Works of Love

By: Jessica

Jessica — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 19:31:57 +0000

Please do not limit you opinion of thrift stores based on the amount of money they donate. It is not all about the cash, they also provide a big service to those of us that have a tight budget but a generous love of yarn. I can not afford to purchase new yarn to feed my crochet addition, so I pick up yarn at my local Goodwill. I either purchase afgans and frog them to reuse the yarn or Goodwill also sells donated balls of yarn. I usually pay $2-$5 for the afgan and end up with as much as 10 balls of yarn. At my local yarn shop I would pay at least $3 for each ball! If wonderful people did not donate these items to Goodwill, I would not be able to purchase them to use for my own projects.

By: Rachel W

Rachel W — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 22:25:07 +0000

I always wonder how a handmade item made it to a secondhand store but I generally assume the best. When we had each of our children people were insanely generous with handmade gifts and I did my best to use them all in equal rotation but we just don’t have the room to keep every last gift. We had the kids pick out a couple favorites each and donated the rest to local charities where they can get a new life rather than sit around in storage bins in our home.

By: Veronica Smith

Veronica Smith — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 23:26:38 +0000

Melissa,
As soon as i figure out a suitable place to post a picture (Crochet Spot is not my blog) i will put one up for you and let you know via this comment section.

By: Peggy

Peggy — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 14:57:11 +0000

What a great idea — to see that project reborn again as a pattern! (Re Melissa’s comment.) I may also try to reuse yarn in an item I find at a thrift shop or at a yard sale. I’ve bought lovely afghans at a sale at a senior housing center that I gave to someone else, but now I’ll think about yarn reuse, too. Many of our seniors have handmade items they can no longer use.

By: Melissa Gray

Melissa Gray — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:24:59 +0000

Could I get a close up picture of that shawl? I would like to make that. I like the pattern.

By: Jan

Jan — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 20:44:49 +0000

thanks for the comments here. I think they are great ideas. I know that some of my children will treasure the items that I made for them, but the others will probably donate to a thrift store to get it out of the house. It makes me sad also, when I think of the hours that someone spent on those projects. Glad that you are bringing them to your home where they will be loved.

By: Darlene

Darlene — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 23:51:03 +0000

We have a 2nd-hand store here that benefits one of the churches and the soup kitchen. Lately, they have donated stuffed animals for me to send to soldiers to give to children who are in the hospital. They have also donated all of their yarn so I could make toys to send to the deployed soldiers. I try pay for the yarn and other craft supplies but when they ask and I tell them what I’m doing, they donate it. I know that the items have been donated to them to raise money for their benefit and I do appreciate their donations to the troops. I will start looking for afghans and other knitted/crocheted items to buy so I can donate them to the homeless Vets and the senior homes. Thank you for your comments because they give others’ ideas!!!

By: Debra

Debra — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 21:53:23 +0000

Last year I found a afgan large for a king size bed for $8.00 I could not buy the yarn for that price .

By: Charlie

Charlie — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 19:01:55 +0000

Peggy Wicker, I have some pieces that my great great grandmother done. One is a small table cloth, with some stains in it that I haven’t been able to get out. So thought of trying a tea stain for the whole thing. If anyone has done this let me know as I’m not sure of the process. Thanks much.

By: Peggy Wicker

Peggy Wicker — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 13:03:21 +0000

I have been rescuing donated handcrafted items for years! My husband always looks at me like I am crazy, but I don’t care. Someone sat lovingly creating something for hours. It deserves a home where it is appreciated and so I bring it to mine. I wasn’t sure if anyone felt like I did. Glad to hear I am not alone