Mr YMC and I are extremely lucky to live in the gorgeous town of Portarlington on the Bellarine Peninsula in Victoria. We are part of an amazing community that has a strong focus on supporting others.
We have been very privileged to meet many likeminded people that share our passion for Social Justice and want to do our part to continue to support others wherever we can.
Because of this we plan to have four major donation drives for the year.
- April - Cottage by the Sea in Queenscliff (drop off by 3rd April)
- July - Food Assist in Portarlington (drop off by 30th June)
- October - Pink Ribbon Breakfast run by the Bellarine Women's Network (drop off by 30th August)
- December - Local Charity TBC (drop off by 22nd November).
I have given a brief introduction to these worthwhile causes below and detailed what we are hoping to donate to each group! Feel free to use your own patterns but if you need some help and inspiration I have included some free Patterns (including a little crocheted heart by yours truly).
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to reach out.
Drop off or post your donations (clearly identifying what Community Gift you have made for) to:
Drop off - 4/12 Rajah Court, Portarlington
Post - PO Box 346 Portarlington. Vic. 3223.
April - Cottage by the Sea
Every child that attends Cottage by the Sea in Queenscliff is given a beanie & scarf as part of their stay. We plan to donate as many children's scarves and beanies as we can in April to show our support of the fabulous work they do.
Some information about Cottage by the Sea
The social impact of Cottage by the Sea gives children a chance for a happier and healthier childhood. This adds value to the whole community.
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Increased confidence is the most valued outcome for children who participate in Cottage by the Sea programs according to children, parents and teachers. Children’s increased confidence supports their access to new opportunities and inspires children to lead fulfilling lives.
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Learning from fun is important, and creates significant value for kids
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The impact of the Cottage perseveres beyond the duration of the camps, and can last a lifetime
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The Cottage’s impact on children is positively compounded with more frequent engagement
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A child’s happiness benefits the whole family
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The Cottage is an enduring part of the community
Their mission is to enhance the lives of more children by providing inspiration, fun and opportunity within a holiday environment.
The following links have heaps of different patterns to provide some inspiration!
Here are some fabulous free knitting patterns for children's beanies & scarves:
Here are some brilliant free crochet patterns for children's beanies & scarves:
July - Food Assist
Located on Wadawurrung Country, Portarlington 3223 VIC Australia, Food Assist Portarlington provides emergency and supplementary grocery supplies to people in need.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics recorded 30,660 homeless people in Victoria on the night of the August 2021 census, which was a 24 per cent increase since 2016 and a jump almost five times the national average.
The biggest increase in homelessness was in the electorate of South Barwon, which covers part of Geelong and the Surf Coast, where it jumped from 148 people in 2016 to 838 in 2021.
People who are homeless:
- do not have accommodation to live in and may be “sleeping rough” or living in improvised shelter like tents.
- might need to keep moving from one place to another, for example needing to stay in refuges or couch surfing or
- might be living in accommodation that falls below minimum standards, like caravan parks or some boarding houses.
So the ability to stay warm, a basic human need is often difficult to attain. So we decided that we would do our little bit in our corner of the world and support the amazing work being done by Food Assist, Portarlington by making Scarves and Mittens.
Feel free to use your own patterns but if you need some help and inspiration here are some free Patterns:
Knit:
- Braided Cable Mitts
- Luminance Mitts
- Wooly Mittens
Crochet:
- Wassail Mittens
- Thrum Lovin' Mittens
- Woodland Mitts
You can find them all here:
https://go.craftsy.com/free-mitten-patterns/
Scarves:
Crochet: https://daisycottagedesigns.net/scarf-crochet-patterns/
Knit: https://www.bhg.com.au/knitting-scarf-patterns
October - Pink ribbon
The Bellarine Women's Network was started in late 2008 by Cathy Barrow and continues to meet monthly and support worthy local causes.
In 2023 The Bellarine Women’s Network (BWN) raised more than $14,000 for National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) at its sixth annual Pink Ribbon Breakfast, doubling its contribution from the previous year.
Held at Claribeaux at the Curlewis Golf Club, funds were raised through a combination of event ticket sales, mystery envelopes, and a silent auction and raffle.
We are planning to donate a Pink Hearts & Pink Ribbons blanket for the raffle. This means crocheting or knitting a LOT of hearts and ribbons that will be joined together!
We need to have all the Pink Ribbons and Pink Hearts dropped off to Yarn Me Calm by the end of August to allow time to join them together!
It doesn't matter what patterns you use for your Pink Ribbons and/or Pink Hearts but you do need to use a shade of Pink Yarn!
I have designed a quick little heart for you to use for free!
A Gift from the Heart Pattern - Andrea Clements
I used Fiddlesticks Wren with a 4mm Hook for my heart but feel free to use any pink coloured yarn.
UK Terms
Round 1: Chain 3 and join with a slip stitch.
Chain two (counts as first stitch).
Into the ring make:
- 3 double treble
- 4 treble
- 1 double treble
- 4 treble
- 3 double treble
- slip stitch
Round 2:
You will continue to work in rounds.
- Chain 2.
- 2 half treble and 1 treble in the next stitch
- 3 treble in the next stitch
- 2 treble in the next stitch
- 1 double crochet in the next four stitches
- 1 treble, 1 double treble, 1 treble in the next stitch
- 1 double crochet in the next four stitches
- 2 treble in the next stitch
- 3 treble in the next stitch
- 1 treble and 2 half treble in the next stitch
- Chain 2 and slip stitch into the slip stitch from the previous round.
Round 3:
- double crochet in the first 2 stitches
- 2 double crochet in the next stitch
- double crochet in the next stitch
- 2 double crochet in the next stitch
- double crochet in the next stitch
- 2 double crochet in the next stitch
- double crochet in the next stitch
- 2 double crochet in the next stitch
- double crochet in the next four stitches
- double crochet, half treble crochet, double crochet in the next stitch
- double crochet in the four stitches
- 2 double crochet in the next stitch
- double crochet in the next stitch
- 2 double crochet in the next stitch
- double crochet in the next stitch
- 2 double crochet in the next stitch
- double crochet in the next stitch
- 2 double crochet in the next stitch
- double crochet in the next 2 stitches
- slip stitch into the slip stitch from the previous round.
Cut yarn and weave in the ends.
You are welcome to share the pattern, however please acknowledge that the design belongs to Yarn Me Calm respecting my rights as a designer, thank you! I would also love it if you tag me if you make any of my designs!
I do my best to make sure that there aren't any errors but hey, I'm human! If you do find any bugs in the pattern please don't hesitate to contact me via email so I can iron them out!
I am not perfect so I definitely make mistakes!
If you have questions about this pattern, please contact me at andrea@yarnmecalm.com.au
Free pattern for Knitted Heart
Free pattern for Crochet Ribbon
Free pattern for Knitted Ribbon
December - Beanie Tree
After the success of the The Portarlington Beanie Christmas Tree in 2023, we are back for more in 2024 and planning to support a worthwhile local charity!
The Portarlington Beanie Christmas Tree is a collaboration between the Portarlington Community Association (PCA), the Bellarine Women’s Network, Crafters, Fibre Artists and Enthusiasts and Makers from across the Bellarine Peninsula, The Bendigo Bank and Yarn Me Calm! Di from the PCA and I handed over 200 Beanies to the Andrew Love Cancer recently and they were received by the very grateful Shelly!
A big shout out to the following for all their support:
- Bellarine Knit One & Crochet Too
- Leopold Craft Group
- Portarlington Senior Citizens Knitting & Crochet Group
- All the amazing Crafters, Fibre Artists and Enthusiasts and Makers from across the Bellarine Peninsula
So if you would like to get on board and join us in our Community Giving this year, you would be more than welcome!
- April - Cottage by the Sea in Queenscliff (drop off by 3rd April)
- July - Food Assist in Portarlington (drop off by 30th June)
- October - Pink Ribbon Breakfast run by the Bellarine Women's Network (drop off by 30th August)
- December - Local Charity TBC (drop off by 22nd November).
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to reach out.
Drop off or post your donations (clearly identifying what Community Gift you have made for) to:
Drop off - 4/12 Rajah Court, Portarlington
Post - PO Box 346 Portarlington. Vic. 3223.
Andrea xxx