Supporting the coordination of local response efforts in rural and tribal communities across the Northern Rockies and the Great Plains, Hopa Mountain is a 501(c)3 organization doing great work. They invest in rural and tribal citizen leaders working primarily in the areas of early childhood education, informal science education, service-learning, ecological and human health, and non profit development. They have been integral in the pandemic relief efforts for the Tribes in the entire region.
what are we crafting?
Item Requested | Craft Type | Quantity Requested | Quantity Still Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
Warm Winter Hats | Sew/Knit/Crochet/Loom | 2000 | 1236 |
project must-knows
1. WINTER HATS: Winter in the Northern Rocky Mountains is LONG. We are working with Hopa Mountain to get them a large supply of winter hats for the Elementary aged children they serve. Our goal at Crafting Change is to keep Elementary age kids warm and healthy this winter so they don't miss any school. WINTER HATS KIDS AGES 5-12.
As always, they will accept hats for all ages except newborns, but please remember our focus of keeping elementary kids warm and healthy so they don't miss school this winter.
Our goal is to send "generational" hats. What does that mean? By generational we mean super high quality hats that are made with high quality yarn or fleece that have been made with great technique and have used a pattern and will last to be passed down from one sibling to the next after repeated washings. Hats that will last for years.
Our requirements
-
Are they functional and do they keep a person warm?
-
Are they high quality and crafted using a pattern? Did you use good technique? Are your seams hidden and tails woven securely? Would you wear it or give it as a gift to your Mom or best friend?
-
Are they durable and washable?
-
These need to be a tight weave without holes that let the cold air in, but not so tight that the hat is a bowl or helmet.
-
Are they safe and free of embellishments that would be a choking hazards for children?
-
Poms are okay if they are washable; if they are not washable (like faux fur) they must be removable.
-
Don't infantilize the kids, functionality and warmth trumps fun for the harsh weather they face.
Please peek at our suggested patterns to get an idea of what Hopa Mountain has asked for. Hats need to cover the ears of the person wearing them. Use any pattern you like basing it off of what Hopa Mountain has suggested below.
Our Advisory Board is continuously testing yarn by using it and washing/drying it at least 5 times to see how it holds up. Please review our Recommended & Tested Yarn List for our suggestions, though this list is by no means exhaustive. Recommended & Tested Yarn List
As a reminder, using yarn that is more than 5 years old, yarn without a label or yarn from a thrift store is ill advised. Yarn technology has changed a lot in the last few years. If you are in doubt about your pattern or your yarn, please contact or Fiber Arts Advisory Board Member Robyn Peters robyn@craftingchange.org.
We also have a few sewn patterns for polar fleece hats. We ask that you buy high quality fleece that does not pill and only use patterns that are 2 layers. Contact Kathy Lawrence if you have questions about sewing hats for Hopa at kathyl@craftingchange.org
recommended and tested yarn list
warm winter hats
Easiest Knit Hat Ever Video Tutorial
Easy knit unisex hat for any size. Our #1 preferred hat style. Make sure non washable puffs are removeable.
Easiest Knit Hat Ever
Easy knit unisex hat for any size. Our #1 preferred hat style. Also visit the You Tube Tutorial here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-OYMix6bPI
shipping guidelines
Ship items whenever you are ready to send them, we advise when you have a large package. Remember, we are a team and many people will be helping with this need. This is a long term project that will continue through May 31, 2025.
Hopa Mountain
234 E. Babcock St., Suite E
Bozeman, MT 59715
CRITICAL INFORMATION FROM CRAFTING CHANGE ON GIVE BACK BOX