26,579 Hours of Unbridled Kindness (Plus 12 Free Patterns, & Our Wishlist)

“I want to knit you a sweater…
I want to make you feel better.” — Joni Mitchell

1. A big hug from Helen

Matt's grandmother, Helen, passed away mid-sweater, and when Matt submitted the project to be finished by Loose Ends, there was no pattern. Donna, Loose Ends finisher, completed the piece without a pattern, basing the design on Matt's notes and on the shape of another sweater he liked.

"The dark line across the body marks the last row that his grandmother knit." — Donna

Some (of many) recently received projects matched with volunteers, featuring knitting, crochet, needlepoint, lace, applique, quilting, & embroidery.

Your support makes these matches happen. Help us do this work.

PLEASE DONATE TODAY

3. FINISHER SPOTLIGHT & 12 Free Knitting Patterns by The Amazing Robbie Laughlin

Robbie Laughlin has been a wonderful friend to Loose Ends, championing our mission and helping spread the word about our work. He has taken time out of his busy life, which includes teaching, designing, and entrepreneurship, to speak to news outlets, documentarians, and authors about his experience as a finisher, and he even hosted a birthday fundraiser for Loose Ends this year!

His patterns are available for free, and anyone who feels inspired to support Loose Ends is encouraged to make a contribution.

3. A pattern of generosity.

As of today, our volunteer finishers have reported 26,579 hours of crafting for strangers in 2025 alone (and this is with fewer than half reporting)!

This data tells us that the average project takes a finisher 57 hours. This is more than a full workweek of precious time given away freely in an effort to comfort another person who has experienced loss.

Rhinebeck! A Dream Come True.

Loose Ends was thrilled to be invited to Rhinebeck this year, and the event was a roaring success! Our booth was kept buzzing by a rotating army of volunteers, expertly led by our “boss on the ground,” Mary Howard (pictured above, center). Flanking her were Jeni (right) and Elsie (left), who went above and beyond by creating custom Loose Ends stitch markers and pins to share with attendees.

“Volunteering with Loose Ends at Rhinebeck was pure magic—watching people light up as they heard our mission reminded me how powerful this community is. It felt incredible to be part of something that connects so many hearts through craft.” — Mary

Loose Ends’ impact is already bigger than we ever imagined it could be, and it’s still growing fast. But our team is small. And our JOANN funding is gone. Behold our wishlist - some ways that you can help, if you have some time, desire, and know-how.

Twitch Enthusiasts: Do you know your way around Twitch? We’d love your advice.
National (US) Lawyer: We need a national lawyer willing to conduct occasional research for us.
Embroiderers: Our end-of-year fundraising campaign is approaching, and we will need the help of some skilled crafters who know embroidery. Want to help?
Stop Motion Support: We have a fun idea in store for our end-of-year appeal, and it lends itself nicely to stop motion storytelling. If you have tips and tricks or a great how-to, we’d love to chat.
Camera-Comfortable Folk: Have you received a project back finished, or have you finished a project already? Would you be willing to tell us about your experience in a video? Please let us know in the link below. :)
Care to help with some of these things? Let us know here.

We Love Abby Glassenberg of Craft Industry Alliance

Loose Ends is a proud member of Craft Industry Alliance — the go-to trade association for craft professionals to learn, connect, and thrive. The organization is led by director Abby Glassenberg, an author, teacher, and entrepreneur widely admired for her thoughtful leadership in the creative community. Abby has a gift for bringing makers together, sparking meaningful conversations, and championing small businesses in the craft industry.

Become a member by visiting craftindustryalliance.org and using code LOOSEENDS to save 20% on any membership level.

Are you working on a Loose Ends project now? Remember to send monthly updates to your project’s owner and your Loose Ends project manager! Take all the time you need to finish, but let us know monthly how things are going. Thanks!

The following people had gifts made in their honor this month:

We honor Amy Donley, Aunt Grace, Beth Davis, Betty Gibbs, Beverly Kaplan, Carla Reagin Ousby, Carmela, Clifford Huot, Deborah Hardy, Ethel Morgan, Fern Leonardini, Gerda Morda, Gramma Derry, Grandma Root, and the grandmother whose knitting supplies went to the local library. We remember Dorothy Pyle Cochran Stauffer, who inspired a love of others through food and yarn, as well as Janice Brooke, Jean Grey & Betty Sanders, our models and encouragers, Jean Sideris, Jeanette Robinson, Jonathan Roussos, Kathy Schuessler, Lorelei Davis, Marge Sanders, Mary and Anne, sisters and artists, Mary Patricia Hurley, Mary Thomas, Judy Wright, Albina Montione, Robert Prickett, Ruth Provance, Sandy, Sherrill Werling, Sue Brandenburg, Susan Borden, Vicki Schwam, Wilma Barrows, and Yannis Alimonos.

Your donations are a big deal. Recurring donations allow us to plan.

PLEASE DONATE TODAY