Hot•Heads

New News!  We have changed our mind (surprise) about the Survivor hats for the Komen Race.  We need 250 hats by April 15th.  So, I’m in a bit of a panic.  Because of the quick date, we are changing the way that the hats have to look.  We would like for you to continue to use the colors:  black, white, with hot pink accents.  If you would like to do a hot pink flower in the hat, that is fine, but please, no pompoms on these particular hats.  You can do a black and white stripe, chevron stripe, or whatever you would like to create with these three colors.  You can do any type of brim, as well.  I feel like this is the hold up on many of the hats.  So, you can do the roll brim, the folded brim, the garter stitch brim, etc.   We just need Survivor hats!  Thank you for your dedication to Hot•Heads and this important cause that has affected so many of those we love.

See you soon!  Knit on!

P.S. If you have not signed up to be on our Hot•Head Team, please do so.  You can get to the link directly from clicking on the Race for the Cure tab and following those directions.

Beth Smith, a teacher at MRA, called Hot•Heads several weeks ago asking us to come and teach her class of all girls how to knit.  How awesome is that?  It’s a type of community service class that changes every 9 weeks.  So, for 9 weeks, a Hot•Head went and taught these girls the basics.  Their hats are being donated to Hot•Heads for us to distribute!  How great!  Here is a cute pic that Amelia took in their classroom!

Congratulations, girls!  You’re officially Hot•Heads!

Hey everybody!  Just reminding you all about the sit ‘n knit at Jan’s house tomorrow night from 6pm until 9pm.

What to bring:

Yourself, project you are currently working on, yarn, needle, brown bag dinner and/or snack to share.

Drinks will be provided.

Money if you would like to purchase a bag, tee shirt, loom set or decal.  No fee for the sit ‘n knit.

Directions to Jan’s house:

The Cock of the Walk restaurant is off of Rice Road in Ridgeland.  Go past the entrance to the restaurant to the next Stop Sign.  Take a right on to Post Road.  Overlook Pointe Subdivision is the third right.  There is a white brick sign.  Go through the gates and VEER RIGHT IMMEDIATELY.  114 is the forth house on the left.  It’s a steep driveway so be careful walking up.  If for some reason the gate is closed, scroll to Forbes at the gate phone and we can buzz you in.

P.S.  Anyone who still needs some clarification on the knit and purl stitch, can get some extra help tomorrow night.  Hope to see you all there!

Several people have had a hard time finding yarn. You may use Caron simply soft. The 7 oz. Yarn is what you need to purchase and you need to double the yarn. Colors are watermelon (for the pink), white, and black. This yarn is available at Wal-Mart, Michael’s and Hobby Lobby.  Rumor has it that Wal-Mart is the cheapest.

Yay!  Our Hot•Heads Loom Sets finally arrived!  If you need a set or wish to buy one for a friend, then please purchase from us.  They are $15 a set.  Proceeds go back into Hot•Heads.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

What is Hot•Heads?
Hot•Heads is a legal non-profit corporation that was founded with the mission of knitting hats for people in need from the homeless to cancer patients.  We exist to give and to connect people with people!

How do I become a knitter for Hot•Heads?
If you already know how to knit you can donate completed hats to Hot•Heads. If you don’t know how to knit, you can attend a beginners class, learn how to knit, and start donating your completed hats!  If you are interested in learning new and more complicated stitches, we offer classes for that as well.

How do I know I am a “Hot•Heads Knitter”?
If you have ever knitted a hat and given it to us to sell or donate to our different projects, then, congratulations, you’re a Hot•Head!

Is there anything else I can do if I want to participate but I do not knit (and I’m not going to!)?
You can buy a t-shirt, a hat, a bag, or a bumper sticker.  You can tell your friends about us.  You can direct your friends to our website onehothead.com . You could give us a love offering to help us purchase yarn!  You can help us deliver hats to the shelters and cancer centers.

Where do I get yarn or looms if I want to become a Hot•Heads knitter?
You can purchase the yarn at the local craft stores.  We do ask that you pay careful attention to the quality of the yarn (i.e. Will it feel good to the wearer?  Will it hold up after multiple uses?) We really like Lion Brand yarns including their Vanna White lines. You can purchase loom sets from Hot•Heads for $15.  If you cannot afford to buy your own supplies, you can contact us at our email address and we will talk to you about getting them from us.  We want you to be a part of the group and will help you in any way that we can.

Where do I drop off the hats I knit when I am finished with them?

Send us a message on the web site and we will arrange to get them from you.

What is a “Sit & Knit” and who can attend?
Any one who is currently knitting or would like to knit or just wants to see what we are about can come to a “Sit & Knit”.  This is not a class.  It is a chance us to get together for fellowship and find out about future projects and to stay connected to one another. We’ll also get a little knitting done too!!

What am I supposed to take to a “Sit & Knit”?
Your knitting supplies, any projects you’re currently working on, and a snack or drink to share. We will have yarn if you don’t, but it is only given out with the understanding that you are using it for a Hot•Heads project.

Why does Hot•Heads charge for Classes?
A knitting class is simply a means to support our mission to provide hats to those who need them.  In an effort to help generate income to cover supplies for the hats, we have developed knitting classes.  It is an opportunity to share the mission with “new” knitters, and a chance to teach current knitters new skills to improve their work!

If am I a “Hot•Heads Knitter”, do I have to pay for a class?
Yes, the purpose of the class is to teach you new techniques in loom knitting, and like the Beginner’s Class it is another chance for  Hot•Heads to generate income to continue our mission!

Where does all the money go from classes and hat sales?
ALL monies go to buy supplies (looms and yarn) to make more hats!  No knitting class instructor, board member or knitter receives any compensation at this time.

My budget is tight, are there scholarhips available for these classes?
Absolutely!  Just contact Hot•Heads at our email address, and we will let you know if there is a scholarship available!

You keep telling us to contact you at your email address? So, what is it?
onehothead@gmail.com

If you have a question that was not addressed here please contact us and we’ll find the answers.
Thanks so much.

Hey guys!  We will have a Sit ‘n Knit on Tuesday, February, 23rd at Jan Forbes House from 6pm to 9pm.  All Hot•Head Knitters are Welcome!  We will knit and visit!  You can brown bag your own dinner and/or bring a snack to share.  We will provide drinks.

Bring any finished hats that you would like to donate and we will also be taking socks and undies one more time to this shelter.  Also, clean out your man’s closet and bring any guys clothes, especially coats that they may not need and Jan will deliver them on Wednesday.  Thanks for DARING to make a difference.

My husband works at the State Capital and he forwarded this message to me that he received from a lady who works with him there.  It read exactly as follows:

Subject: HELP

Hello, I am volunteering tomorrow again at a Homeless Shelter, Sunday there were over 90 men- they had no socks, underwear or clothes; we have been providing all of these items but are out.  If you have any shoes, clothes, undies, socks that you are willing to give away (from your drawers and closets) bring them to me tomorrow. Blessings will be bestowed upon you.  Thanks.

Of course, Hot•Heads is sending hats tomorrow (39 to be exact).  However, I would like to challenge you to bring a new pack of socks and underwear to the class on Thursday night.  Even if you’re not coming to the class, still get some socks and underwear to another Hot•Head.  This challenge came from me having several Catholic friends who are deciding what to give up for Lent.  I have always found this process very interesting and even had a conversation about it at work today.

This afternoon my sister called and found these FANTASTIC shoes online (yes, this will tie in together soon).  I truly felt I MUST have them…until I read the above email combined with the talk about the season of Lent.  So, you guessed it…what I would have paid for the shoes is going to socks and undies – and I’m excited about it!

So, I now present this challenge to you.  I may possibly even be daring some of you to step out and instead of the latte, buy a pair of socks.  Really.  God continually amazes me at the abundance that I have.  So, here is yet another opportunity for me to gain some perspective in a very simple way.  I DOUBLE DARE you to do the same!!!  Can’t wait to see what He may do with this!!!

P.S.  She is so very right about the “blessing” thing.  There is nothing like it.

We are super excited to announce a new area division of Hot•Heads!  Erin Hannula will be in charge of all of you guys there.  There will be no difference with Hot•Heads in the two different locations, except the location itself.  We will all be working together toward the same goals.  We will be looking for Clinton to serve their area, specifically, so if you know of a mission there,  and think that Hot•Heads can be of service to them, please let us know.

Our second mission is to connect people together with people who are working toward a common goal.  We have been amazed at how unbelievable it is to get a group of women (with the occasional very brave man) and listen to the laughter and conversation and friendships that are being built around a knitting loom.  Our heart is that this will happen in Clinton as well as continue in the Reservoir area.

The whole area division concept was in the very far future planning goals of Hot•Heads.  How AMAZING it is that we are already moving in that direction…WHOO-HOO!