Hopa Mountain
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Blankets: Teens | Sew | 75 | 21 |
Masks: Child 5-12 | Sew | 10000 | 2317 |
Warm Winter Hats | Sew/Knit/Crochet | 2000 | 632 |
project must-knows
1. MASKS: Any pattern accepted as long as it meets the following guidelines:
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Ages 5-13
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2 layer with filter pocket or 3 layer (3rd layer cotton or polypropylene)
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Nose wire for children ages 9 and up
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Adjustable ear loops preferred but not required.
2. 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. While this age group is our primary focus, the request is for all sizes of hats infant through adult. They are looking for "generational" hats that will last. We have knit, crochet and sewn patterns. Our requirements are:
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Are they functional and do they keep a person warm?
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Are they durable and washable?
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Are they safe and free of choking hazards for children?
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Are they made with one of our approved yarns?
You may use any crochet or knit pattern for this project (please peek at our suggested patterns to get an idea of what Hopa Mountain has asked for). Looking at our suggested patterns prior to starting this project will give you a good idea of what we are looking for before you begin making your first hat. Keep in mind that we are looking for functional, warm winter hats, not decorative hats. These need to be a tight weave without holes. It is very cold in the Northern Rockies, so this is very important. These need to cover the ears of the person wearing them. Our Advisory Board is continuously testing yarn by using it and washing/drying it at least 10 times to see how it holds up. Please review our Master Approved Yarn List. Our Advisory Board extensively tests yarns for both how they work up and how well they wash and dry. The yarns on our approved list have been washed and dried 10 times and after washing look great and hold their shape well. While we know Red Heart yarns are readily available, please check our Master List to see which types have passed our rigorous testing and which types our charity partners allow. As a reminder, using yarn that is more than 5 years old, yarn without a label where you do not know where it came from 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 send your questions to our 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. Due to the harsh winters, we are asking you to line your hats to help keep the children warm, no single layers please, Questions about sewing hats for Hopa? Contact Kathy at kathyl@craftingchange.org
3. Blankets: The third project we are working on is blankets for care packages for children that were in the Foster Care system and have successfully made it to college! Hopa Mountain needs help sending these children care packages with handcrafted items in them and we have agreed to help send them handmade blankets in the form of "rag quilt" style or any Quilt. Something to bring them comfort that is sent from "home" and what we are deeming "legacy blankets". By legacy we mean a blanket that will stand the test of time, will be handed down from one generation to the next because it has been constructed with high quality materials, sewn with typical sewing techniques and is made in a way that they couldn't do themselves. Rag quilts is one idea, scrappy quilts are another great idea for this quilt! Flannel/fleece combinations are also a great idea. However we are not looking for no-sew fleece blankets.
suggested patterns
mask patterns
SWO Child Mask Written Instructions
Written instructions for the SWO child mask by Cathie Foard. Especially loved by our Tribal partners.
SWO Child Mask Pattern Templates
Pattern templates in 4 sizes x-small (2-5 years old) to large (12-15 years old) for this popular and easy to sew mask by our friend Cathie Foard from Sewing For Native Peoples.
blankets
Rag Quilt Project Overview-Hopa & Bloom
Read important tips and information about the Hopa Mountain Rag Quilt Project
warm winter hats
Crafting Change Recommended & Tested Yarns
Our Recommended & Tested Yarn List for our Partner Projects
Easiest Crochet Hat
This pattern includes written and video instructions to help beginners!
How To Knit A Hat
This video tutorial teaches even beginners how to make a simple ribbed hat.
Fleece Hat With Earflaps
Written pattern and YouTube tutorial for a fun fleece hat with earflaps.
shipping guidelines
Hopa Mountain is in urgent need of children's masks, we ask that you send these as soon as you have them ready to go. All other items can be shipped whenever you are ready to send (if you are mailing hats, send when you have a package full).
Hopa Mountain
234 E. Babcock St., Suite E
Bozeman, MT 59715