I have sat transfixed to my computer. Clicking image upon image of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. I have watched a video of Jacques Cousteau’s grandson diving in the toxic mess to show us what it’s really like underwater. Being a scuba diver and lover of the ocean I am sick to my stomach with the images. The Louisiana marsh lands are being destroyed. The fragile ecosystem is losing it’s fight. The fishermen and communities who worked so hard to rebuild after Hurricane Katrina have once again been dealt another blow. The beautiful white sand beaches in the Florida panhandle will soon be covered with oil. It’s devastating.
It’s so easy to feel helpless. The ‘what can I do’ enters your mind. I’ve sat for the past few days feeling that way. Thinking about the Craft Hope community and what we can do. Talking to the Craft Hope community on Facebook. Throwing the idea out there and watching the ideas come in. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, this community is amazing. I have witnessed lives changed on both ends of the spectrum through Craft Hope. People stepping up to help lead a project. People giving handmade goods to strangers. People whose lives have been touched through the kindness of strangers. Two worlds coming together and the result is simply beautiful.
For Project 8 we will be partnering with The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies, the Audubon Nature Institute, and the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge to assist them in their efforts in caring for and cleaning oiled marine mammals, mostly dolphins, other marine mammals, birds, and sea turtles. Dolphins are naturally curious and have been swimming toward the oil plumes to investigate… and that curiosity gets them in a lot of trouble against the oil slick.
So here is what we are going to do… They need hand towels and wash rags to clean all of the nooks and crannies of the dolphins and sea turtles. They only need small hand towels and wash rags, no large towels please.
If you can sew, knit, or crochet this project is for you. We are asking that you create sets of hand towels and/or wash rags to send. Preferably in sets of 10 or 20. These do need to be handmade since we are ‘Craft Hope.’ If you are crocheting or knitting, please send whatever you can. You don’t have to send a set unless it is something you are up for.
Please be aware that these donations do not have to be anything fancy. If anything, the towels and rags will be used two to three times and will have to be disposed of because they will be ruined by the toxic oil residue.
Also, if you are sending more than 10 towels please count them and put a total someplace in the box. That would help us out so much!!
This is also a great opportunity to get kids involved. It’s a wonderful way to teach them about our beaches and the fragile marine life.
If you would like to add something else to your donation, please include a bottle of Dawn dish washing liquid.
A HUGE thank you to Kimberly who is an incredibly talented artist living in the Pensacola area who felt led to step up and help with this project. She helped to coordinate this project and will be collecting the items and hand delivering them for us. Â She’ll also be helping me answer questions here and on our Facebook page.
The deadline for Project 8 is the end of August!
As of this time (7/20/2010) we have suspended donations due to meeting the needs of the gulf coast rescue organizations! Please email jade at jade@crafthope.com if you have questions. Thanks so much!
Please leave a comment on this post if you would like to participate. Thanks for all you do, you make the world a better place!
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(Updated 6/4/2010)
Everyone at IMMS is beyond excited over the amazing response from Craft Hope. If the donation level is so great that it exceeds what they can hold in stock at their facilities, that they will be sharing the donations with the Coastal Wildlife Refuges and other Coastal Wildlife Non-Profit Groups. So these donations not only will be impacting one organization such as IMMS but will be impacting so many others along the Gulf Coast!!!!
I’d also like to say that, if anyone lives near the Pensacola / Panhandle area, and you would like to personally drop off your donations to Kimberly,  please feel free to send her an email at: midnightdesignstudio[at]gmail[dot]com and she’ll be happy to coordinate her schedule with you for donation drop-off times.
Frequently Asked Questions:
I’d love to help! For knitting and crocheting, would cotton or acrylic yarn be better?
K – For knit/crochet – Cotton fibers would be best. I was not sure if such was available. But Cotton is most natural and the folks at IMMS said that would be the best choice and most absorbent… They weren’t sure if acrylic yarn would be as absorbant since its never been used before in oil clean-up… however, they said they will happily accept either and put it to the test! But cotton fibers are recommended..
Can they be as simple as flannel or terry cloth with serged edges?
Yes! Absolutely. Just as long as the rags are in the specified sizes, and are soft enough for your own skin, or I’d like to say, if you feel safe washing a baby with it, then yes simple as flannel and terry cloth would be fine!
What about hand mits made out of terry cloth? They might be easier to scrub with?
The researchers and staff wear medical gloves when cleaning so that the toxic oil residue will not leech into their skin, making them sick. They thought the hand mitts were a great idea, and could be slipped over the medical gloves during washing. So they would happily accept donations for those as well if anyone felt up to the challenge of making those.
Quick question… if I get towels already made should I wash them before sending them?
K – You can if you would like, but it is not necessary. Those towels are about to get beyond dirtier than you ever imagined. So if you want to save on the water and detergent, you can. But if you just want to throw them in the wash, you can. It’s what ever you want to do!
We use repurposed cotton knit for face wipes in our house – not even sewn, just cut up. they don’t fray after washing (and these would be thrown out anyway, right?). Would that work? What dimensions would be best? I have a whole bunch that are ‘hand-sized’ i’d love to send. And it’s super easy to buy 100% cotton knit sheets from the goodwill and cut them into pieces. What do you think?
Yes! Those would work. And the Cotton Goodwill sheets cut down would work. Cotton is the top #1 choice of all fiber for this project since it is the most absorbent. #1.5 – Terry Cloth… However they will gladly accept all kinds of fibers and put it to the test! The dimensions are – Hand Towel Size and Wash Rag size.
I was thinking about using some t-shirts the kids have grown out of. The backs are plain with no writing/pictures. Do you think that would be good?
Yes! I would think that the plain back size would work best since, the sides with the pictures on them, may not be as absorbent as the plainer counterpart. And I also think that is a clever way to re purpose old cotton clothing!!
Quick question. My mother would love to help out, but she can’t sew, crochet, knit, etc. Could she make wash rags with the edges that you tie together?
Yes! That would be fine! And I would gladly accept any towel/rag donation that she feels the need to send. While yes, it is Craft Hope and its about being handmade, I don’t have the heart to turn away other donations as well, so send it! They need it! And I’ll bring it!!!
I know it was mentioned that these need to be small, but that is kind of a relative term. Do you have dimensions that we could go by for the washrags and handtowels? Are we talking baby sized washcloths or just your average sized ones for adults? And towels – kitchen handtowel sized?
Washrags are approximately 10×10 square. Hand towels are approximately 14×27.
With the change in the oil spill information and the possibility of it spreading, will items be needed after the July deadline?
Even though the deadline is July 3rd, Kimberly will gladly continue to accept any donations after that date! Clearly this is going to be a long term event. And she will continue to accept donations as long as anyone is willing to continue to donate.
Are there recommended materials for sewing towels from? I’m trying to think about what would be most absorbent…
Cotton!!!. IMMS said that Cotton is their #1 choice of fiber when it comes to cleaning. It is most natural, beyond absorbent and is really durable!
Terry Cloth is an equal in that category as well… It also cleans well, absorbent and durable!
However, They also will gladly accept other fibers as well.
I hope this answers a lot of the questions. Keep them coming! I am so proud of everyone!
It moves my heart and brings tears to my eyes! You all are so amazing!!!
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Updated 7/26/2010 – This project has ended! Please visit the website for our current project. Thanks to everyone who participated. We collected over 70,000 towels!!!
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Updated 8/2/2010 – If you have made towels, please send them to us at: Craft Hope, P.O. Box 341771, Austin, Texas, 78734
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I’m honored to be able to help. A huge thank you to the organizers of this wonderful effort.
Kimberly, I just read this site yesterday, sorry i didn’t know about it sooner. I have a box almost ready to go with several crocheted dishcloths and 36 cloths I picked up today at K-Mart and two small bottles of Dawn. I hope I’m not too late in sending this to you! I’m happy to finally feel like I can do something to help this horrible catastrophe.
Rita
Hi, I’mm recruiting knitters/crocheters from both my place of employment and from my community of faith. Is the end of August still the projected deadline for washcloths/Dawn? We would like very much to help in this project. Let me know of any changes or additions to the initial request, we would be honored to assist.
[...] Craft Hope  Project 8: Gulf Oil Spill [...]
[...] Visit their website to get all the information on how to participate in their project, but don’t tarry…the project deadline is the end of August! All of your donations can be of great help! No Comments [...]
I have just found this message and although I’m late, I will be sending in help. What a wonderful thing for all of us to pitch in on!
I found this site a week ago and just finished 6 knitted washclothes. I’ll be sending them along with Dawn today. THANKS SO MUCH for caring enough and doing something about it!
On second thought, I’ll knit 4 more and send them next week! THANKS! I do have a question. Is there a possibility of sending a check or a few dollars to cover a bottle of Dawn rather than sending it through the mail? Thanks for your answer in advance.
I will be happy to help!!!
Hi everyone! Apologies for being away. I’ve been inundated with donations! Amazing! Which has kept me away from the computer. Its basically become a full time job accepting, logging in, and storing donations, on top of my full time job.
, I know he is still there, because he sings!!!), our guest bedroom, down the hallway, and into our living room, along our front porch…
So I’m finally here to bring you all a project update:
As of yesterday I have received 60,000 donations. My home is currently maxed out on room. I have an 8+foot stack from back to front in my garage. Not including the 8+foot stack packed into my art studio (I can’t even see Mr.Buddy anymore
And!! yesterday I had a semi-truck deliver a 220lb palette with a fork-lift!!! of donations in my yard. Oh my mercy!!!
So… now being maxed out on room (possibly will be sleeping with usps soft paks as pillows, haha) I have reserved a U-haul truck, and a dolly lift-for the palette outside and will be delivering to IMMS and other wildlife storage facilities on Sunday.
I also want to note that any packages exceeding 75-200+ will need to be shipped directly to IMMS. Please contact me for shipment coordination and details. I receive packages into my very small home. Receiving very large packages which require heavy machinery to move, load and unload, is a bit beyond my husband and I capabilities. However, IMMS has a large staff and a loading dock with are capable of receiving these large donations. Please contact me to coordinate large shipments.
And again, I want to thank everyone for participation and all the donations! It is truly amazing and humbling! This will be an experience I will always cherish! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Love and Blessings, – Kim D.
I can’t wait to get my kids and family started on this! I will send out my items at the beginning of August.
~Heather
[...] managed to put off posting about it. There have been a few more rags created for Craft Hope’s project 8, and raspberries and snap peas and fresh bread taken to neighbors. Each little thing has [...]
I have quite a few terry cloth pieces of the appropriate sized. They have finished edges. They are clean (washed and bleached) but some have some stains on them that washing has not removed. Will these be acceptable?
What a great idea! I’m in! Started knitting my first washcloth tonight …
Hi Kim,
Me and other employees at my work are looking to donate if we are not able to send washclothes can we mail you a check for the money we would like to donate? We would love to help the animals and applaud you for your time and efforts you have put into this! THANKS!
@ Sarah – Yes, that is fine. I have accepted a few monetary donations, in which I have purchased supplies and walmart gift cards for supplies for the institutes.
Here is a comedic yet true story from my blog of my super-sized semi-truck delivery for Project 8.
http://midnightdesignstudio.typepad.com/midnight-design-studio/2010/07/220lb-delivery.html
I am greatly enjoying meeting new people because of this project. And this Tony Soprano/Danny Devito semi-truck driver was the best yet! So enjoy!
Hi, I have over a hundred cotton towels ready to be cut up and sent out..I’m planning a cutting party but can’t do it until August 18th. If we get them send by August 19th will that still be helpful? Thanks!
Want to see what 60,000 donations looks like?
Well technically, 65,000 donations…..
I’ve finally got a chance to post up photos.
Follow Me!
http://midnightdesignstudio.typepad.com/midnight-design-studio/2010/07/oh-the-boxes.html
You are amazing – thank you for doing this! I am cutting up my t-shirts now and will send everything I can by the end of July.
[...] tonight. Tonight I am watching reruns of Glee and knitting up washcloth #3 out of 10 for the latest Craft Hope Project. There’s still time to participate, so please go check it [...]
Kim,
If it’s ok we will mail you a Walmart gift card. Thanks Again!
Getting some dish cloths knitted. Also have some friends make some What a wonderful project to do. Thanks for caring.
Photos and Blog Post from yesterday’s delivery.
http://midnightdesignstudio.typepad.com/midnight-design-studio/2010/07/delivery-day.html
I am the Civic Engagement Coordinator for Senior Community Centers San Diego. Our seniors would like to offer their skills knitting and crocheting towels for the clean-up effort if they are still needed. Please email me any information that we need to participate (jared.mccannell@servingseniors.org). Thank you.
Jared McCannell
Civic Engagement & Volunteer Coordinator
Gary & Mary West Senior Wellness Center
Senior Community Centers
[...] and globally. These projects will easily motivate people, as you can see by the response to Project 8, Gulf Coast Oil Spil , and their current [...]
[...] Hope is currently running a project where they are helping out several organizations by sending them handmade wash towels and rags. I have to admit, I’m generally a sucker for whenever the craft community comes together for [...]
While cotton is great, see if the ecocotton can be used. When buy new cotton yarns it is very harmful to the environment. I wondered what acrylic would be like for doing dishes, which can be very greasy especially the frying pans and the griller. I actually had never used acrylic until a friend made me some cloths out of it. the work wonderfully, even better than the cotton ones. I am going to commit to this as I have been watching the news about the devastation to the oceans. I am going to blog, Facebook and twitter this as well.
Cora
130 towels coming your way – sending them out on Monday.
[...] are just coming off of the heels of the largest project in Craft Hope history. Over 70,000 towels have been collected and distributed. With more in transit [...]
[...] group got together to help with the Oil Spill cleanup in the Gulf. They volunteered their time for Project 8 and managed to collect/ make 450 wash cloths and 2-1/2 gallons of dawn dish detergent. These [...]
It’s July 31. I’m confused. Are you still accepting donations or not? I have a box of 150 pieces ready to mail Monday, but don’t know if I should or not. Please advise.