“Loose Ends is a big ray of pure gold sunshine."

(the Instagram comment that made us smile this week)

Your donation directly affects the number of projects we can match.

1. Introducing “Loops,” our new outreach plan to encourage more project submissions!

The question we hear most often is: “How long until I get a project?” We get it—our finishers are eager to give their time doing the crafts they love, and generosity feels amazing for everyone involved.

Right now, we have nearly 34,000 finishers signed up, but the project-to-finisher ratio is 1:12. To bridge that gap, we’re introducing a new outreach initiative called Loops—as in “a connecting force”, “keeping people in the loop”, and yes, just like our logo!

Starting this September, we’re piloting Loops by partnering with regional volunteer groups to help with outreach and fundraising in their local communities. The goal? More projects, more matches, more meaningful connections.

Of course, more projects also mean more work—more staff, more printing, more everything—which means we need your help to make it happen.

A focused 6-month pilot in 4 cities will cost us an estimated $15,000 extra.
Help us do this.

Your donation helps us get more projects into the hands of more volunteer finishers, and ultimately more end recipients.

Thank you for your support!

2. Janet’s Sweater

3. Loose Ends was in Laine Magazine!

4. A Brilliant Idea (do this)!

“I have labeled all my WIPs (mostly shawls and a pair of socks or two at this point), just so if I never get to them and cannot finish them, I want my partner and kids to contact [Loose Ends] to finish them for me. Thank you for your wonderful work!” — P.S.

5. Loose Ends in Numbers

Finisher Count: 33,873
Projects: 4,000-ish
Countries with Finishers: 84
Countries with Projects: 14
Average Hours Donated Per Project: 52

6. Our Favorite Photo, Embroidered

A couple of weeks ago, we received a message from Katie Errington Davies, showing us some of her embroidery work inspired by a photo of one of our project owners, a picture we include in many of our materials because, like Katie, we are moved every time we see it. The photo was taken by the subject’s daughter, photographer Beate Sass.

7. The following people had donations made in their honor or “in lieu of flowers” since our last newsletter.

Ruth Provance, Ana Nikolic, Jeannine Matocq, Alma Robert, Norma Cohen, Jonathan Roussos, Yannis Alimonos, Leyla Ozmen (Mishy), Sherrill Werling, Nancy Kosmin, Gerda Morda, Carla Reagin Ousby, My mother, Albina Montione, Deborah Hardy, Berdina Bertha Lily Lindeman, Jeannette Lamb, Vicki Schwam, Grandma Root, Sally Jean Potter Hall, Susan Henry, In memory of Dorothy Pyle Cochran Stauffer - who inspired me to love others through food and yarn, Grandma, whose knitting supplies went to the local library, Sue Brandenburg, Barbara Boshinski Futej, In Memory of Mary Lynn Dupree, Lorelei Davis, Jean Grey & Betty Sanders, my models and encouragers, Susan Borden, Carmela, Betty Gibbs, Pat Rock, my Mom., Amy Donley, Jeanette Robinson, Barbara Beck Fagan, Mary Thomas, Ruth Wilbur McCormack, Dawn Lewis, Ruth Provance, and Joanne Glavin McClatchy

We depend on your donations to do this work.

Special thanks to Dinitale Detective Agency for their expert help.

And on that note, a reminder to all active finishers, 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!