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 Nashville Launch Pad 

About

The mission of Nashville Launch Pad is to create a network of temporary, safer, street-free sleeping shelters for unhoused young adults which are open and affirming to LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies. The have 3 main programs: 

  • Emergency Shelter - up to 25 young adults in congregate shelter in local churches nightly from Nov 1 - March 31

  • Independent-Supported Living Program (ISLP)- up to 6 LGBTQ+ young adults supported in an apartment space

  • Mobile Housing Navigation Center - up to 15 beds available through the Coordinated Care Entry system in partnership with Community Care Fellowship

Launch Pad Company Logo

 what are we crafting? 

Item Requested
Craft Type
Quantity Requested
Quantity Still Needed
Warm Winter Scarves/Cowls
Sew/Knit/Crochet/Loom
75
48
Winter Gloves/Mittens (all types)
Sew/Knit/Crochet
125
125
Warm Winter Hats
Sew/Knit/Crochet/Loom
125
69
Quilt Twin Size
Sew
12
10
Blankets (Young Adults)
Sew/Knit/Crochet
50
35
Pillowcase
Sew
75
33

 project must-knows 

We are crafting for "Young Adults" this is ages 18-24.

 

For 2 of their programs, The Independent Supported Living Program (up to a 6 Month stay) and the Mobile Housing Navigation Center (up to a 120 Day stay), the young adults have the opportunity to stay for longer periods of time and settle down while they look for permanent housing, educational opportunity and jobs. We will be helping the young adults in these 2 programs with blankets and pillowcases to make them feel more at home during this transition.

 

CRITICAL INFORMATION: We have been asked to not use "Pride" themed fabric or fabric that in anyway would identify the owner of the items as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. It is important to remember that these young adults are in a very vulnerable situation often having been displaced from their home due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. 

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Pillowcases:

  • Pattern: Use the Burrito Pillowcase pattern for sewing. This pattern creates a clean and professional finish.

  • Fabric: You may use either cotton or flannel fabric for the pillowcases. These fabrics are durable and comfortable.

  • Fabric Restrictions: Please avoid using fabrics that depict weapons, drugs, alcohol, or themes related to pride, rainbows, or any fabric/symbols that could "out" someone as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.

  • Quality: Ensure that stitches are secure and seams are finished neatly for durability.

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Blankets/Quilts/Lapghans:

  • Accepted Techniques:  blankets can be sewn, knitted, or crocheted.

  • The ideal size for blankets is 45 inches by 60 inches (114 cm by 152 cm), which provides comfort and practicality for recipients.

  • Fabric and Yarn: Use high-quality yarns and fabrics that are cozy and durable. Please refer to our master yarn list for suggestions on suitable yarns for blankets. Avoid using yarns or fabrics in colors of the rainbow. Please don't make blankets overly scrappy. 

  • Fabric and Yarn Restrictions: Avoid using fabrics that depict weapons, drugs, alcohol, or themes related to pride, rainbows, or any symbols that could "out" someone as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.

  • Quality: Ensure your blankets are well-crafted with secure stitches or seams, reflecting the care and dedication of our volunteers.

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Twin Size Quilts

  • They are looking for approximately 12 Twin Size Quilts per year. If you have any interest in constructing some truly lovely, warm, twin size quilts that residents of their Independent Supported Living Program could come home to, they would love that.  

  • Size: 70"x90"

  • Fabric Restrictions: Avoid using fabrics that depict weapons, drugs, alcohol, or themes related to pride, rainbows, or any symbols that could "out" someone as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.

  • Fabric: Cotton & Batting

  • Technique: Sewn Only

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Winter Items

For unsheltered LGBTQIA+ young adults in Nashville, please follow these guidelines:

  1. Accepted Items: We are looking for hats, cowls, scarves, gloves, mittens, and fingerless gloves.

  2. Technique: Sewn, knitted, or crocheted.

  3. Color Preferences: Use subdued colors such as browns, blacks, navy blue, forest greens, etc. These colors help the young adults blend into their surroundings and feel safe.

  4. Fabric and Yarn Restrictions: Avoid using colors of the rainbow or Pride-inspired patterns. The young adults served by Nashville Launch Pad often come from difficult backgrounds where their gender identity or sexual orientation was not accepted. It’s important that the items do not make them stand out.

  5. Quality: Ensure your items are well-crafted and durable, providing warmth and comfort throughout the winter months.

​

​

Must Knows
Patterns

  pillowcases 

pillowcases

Burrito Pillowcase Pattern

Written Pattern for Burrito Pillow Case

Burrito Pillowcase Video Tutorial

The best video tutorial out there for making a burrito pillowcase!

  blankets: knit/crochet  

k/cblankets

Recommended & Tested Yarns

Crafting Change recommended and tested yarn list sorted by project type.

Mixed Stripes Throw

Lovely blanket with easy to create stripes. Leave the tassels off if creating for small children or babies.

Quiet Ripple Crochet Lapghan

This lovely textured blanket has been amended to use a lighter DK weight yarn.

Tumbling Blocks Blanket

This pattern for beginners with knits and purls is also a reversible blanket, too. It calls for aran weight yarn but you can use worsted weight yarn, just check your gauge.

Colts Foot Blanket by Hobbii

Easy for beginners, the knit purl pattern works up with DK weight acrylic yarn. You could also try a yarn substitute like Sport. The knitting pattern calls for circular knitting needles to accommodate all your stitches.

Cross Double Hatch Blanket

You will get a beautiful texture from the crossed double crochet stitch in an easy two row repeat.

38 Knit Blanket Patterns

This link will connect you to 38 great knit blankets, all approved patterns for our charity partners requesting knit blankets!

 blankets 

Sewn:blankets

Patriotic Log Cabin Square Quilt As You Go

A challenging and lovely quilt that will be adored. Designed patriotic, but you can easily swap out the colors for any charity partner.

Crafting Change Flip & Sew Lapghan

This lapghan quilts itself as you go!

Rag Quilt Guide

How to make a rag quilt the ultimate guide with step by step pictures.

Rag Quilt DIY Tutorial

Nice guide with options for block sizing.

Flip N Sew Lapghan Video Tutorials

Flip n' Sew Lapghan Video Tutorial Playlist containing all 3 videos

Crafting Change Rag Quilt Helpful Files

This file contains several helpful resources created by Crafting Change for making rag quilts!

Rag Quilt Zoom Class

Rag Quilt Zoom Room Class with Crafting Change

Self Binding Blanket

Easy peasy self binding flannel blanket!

How To Bind A Quilt

A great technique for binding blankets or potholders!

Quilt As You Go

This quilt as you go method just needs some strips!

Rag Quilt Supplement

Fabric choices and quilt math included in this Crafting Change supplement.

Easy Sewn Blanket Techniques with Martha Richmond

Video Tutorial with Craftivist Martha Richmond showing a variety of simple techniques to quickly sew up and bind off blankets for charity!

 warm winter items 

 shipping guidelines 

They do ask that you try to bundle your items into the fewest shipments possible as they use a partner church to collect their donations for them. Please do not ship any winter items until after 10/1/24. 

CORRECTED SHIPPING ADDRESS 8/12/24​

First Lutheran Church

c/o Nashville Launch Pad

113 8th Avenue South

Nashville, TN 37203

​

IF YOU HAD A PACKAGE RETURNED TO YOU AS UNDELIVERABLE because of the incorrect 9th Avenue address they provided us:

  • Try to get a refund from Pirate Ship for your shipping cost. They likely won’t do it, but it is always worth asking. The volunteer who let us know about this issue unexpectedly got a full refund.

  • If you can not get a refund, email the following information to Crafting Change (info@craftingchange.org):

    • a photo of your returned package and label

    • your receipt or pirate ship invoice from shipping it

    • the weight and dimensions of your package

 

We will email you a new shipping label to resend your package within 24 hours of getting your information.  

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Shipping
Knit

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.

PATTERN

Basic Hat with a Brim

Basic Hat in the round with a brim.

Basic Plain Gloves

simple, easy glove pattern for anyone

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

Make a 2 Layer Hat on the Addi

2 layer hat with a brim on the Addi Knitting Machine.

The World's Simplest Mittens

Quick and easy mittens to knit up! Beginner friendly.

DIY Infinity Scarf

An amazingly easy tutorial to cut 2 infinity scarves out of 2 yards of flannel!

Mariner's Cowl

This fast and easy cowl with 2x2 ribbing will fit any neck!

Seamless Earflap Hat

This pattern comes in all sizes Newborn-Adults!

Skyping All Purpose Beanie

This gender neutral option can be made in a variety of sizes.

Crafting Change Wristers

Easy wristers by Melanie Shovelski done in a rectangle and seamed up the side.

Super Simple Fingerless Gloves

Quick, easy fun to make with endless color combinations.

Mad Cap Hats Best Fingerless Gloves Ever (Fleece)

Easy, warm and fun to wear pattern from Mad Cap Hats, Link to .pdf in description of Video

Basic Beginner Hats for the Family

Basic hat in 6 sizes!

Easy Fleece Mittens by Charmed by Ashley

Super easy single layer fleece mitten pattern in adult sizes

Fleece 2 Layer Hat

Simple 2 layer fleece hat that is reversible for all ages.

Fleece 2 Layer Mittens

Nice, thick and warm, easy to sew.

Mrs. Murdock's Mittens

Fun easy mitten pattern for children

Fleece Neck Gaiter (not a mask)

A cozy neck warming tube for any charity requesting a scarf or neck warming device!

Straightforward Cowl

Super easy pattern for beginners. Can knit it with your favorite stitch pattern (knit/purl, cables) on the center stitches instead of garter stitch.

Fleece Hat

This easy fleece hat takes just minutes!

Caron Beginner Beanie

This basic beginner beanie is fast and easy for any crocheter!

Super Simple FIngerless Mitts

Crocheted in the round, an easy fingerless mitt pattern.

Easy Fleece Hat Video Tutorial

Video tutorial for Easy Fleece hat pattern

Ribbed Beanie Hat by Melody Crochet

Video Tutorial How to crochet a beanie with a ribbed brim

Simple Textured Mitts (2 Ways)

Versatile unisex mittens in a variety of sizes

Fleece Mitten Pattern

Tutorial (link to download FREE pattern on this page). Super easy to follow tutorial! SIngle layer adult.

Easiest Crochet Hat Ever

Easy unisex for all sizes. This is our preferred crochet hat. It has good stretch, is warm and versatile.

Hands Full Crochet Mittens

Beginner easy crochet pattern

Tips & Tricks for Working with Fleece

Watch this if you are new to working with fleece or looking for great tips or tricks to make it easier!

Kodiak Hooded Pocket Scarf

This is an easy level crochet pattern and the techniques involved are half double crochet and seaming. It's also super fast to work up!

Lion Brand Homespun Fabia Cowl

This beginner project is worked back and forth in rows, then sewn together to make a ring.

The CC Beanie

This popular beanie is trendy, warm and easy to knit.

Caron Slouchy Beanie

A slouch beanie is fun and oh so comfortable! Teens love its casual style to stay warm on cold winter days.

Topless Mittens

Knit The Rainbow Designer pattern. These fingerless mittens make a quick and low-cost project.

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