Loose Ends

“Everything Joan sewed was perfect until arthritis caught up with her. Mom died April 18, 2023.”

This cross stitch portrait of Travis, Joan’s grandson, was completed by Loose Ends finisher Sarah, who spent about 120 hours on it.
#kindnessofstrangers #looseends

"Erma was a self-taught quilter who loved color & mixing fabric designs & African American storytelling through quilts. I enjoyed fabric shopping with her & witnessing her ideas become beautifully finished pieces." — Tamera

Lisa, Loose Ends finisher, spent about 10 hours working.

We are sending out 2000 letters this month, explaining our end of your fundraising campaign (Legacy Quilt) and the first 1000 letters will contain magnets! So, if you see a piece of mail from Loose Ends, we hope you’ll read the letter but at the very least, grab the magnet and put it on your fridge!

"The joy I experienced in seeing Carol's face upon receiving her finished project was priceless. I will definitely remember this as one of the best volunteer opportunities I've had - even though just to one family, it felt monumental." — Dana (who spent 85 hours completing all the stitching)

“It’s like having a piece of Mom back in the world. My heart is so happy, and my Dad’s is too! I can’t tell you how much it meant to get Mom’s afghan finished! The service you provide is invaluable.” — Susan

Jane, Loose Ends finisher, spent 20 hours knitting a few more rows and adding the fringe.

"Our mother made many pieces to commemorate weddings, new homes, new babies, and other milestones. She started this piece for our sister but put it aside when her hands started to give her trouble and she could no longer do detailed work." — Lisa

“My dear sweet mom passed away in 2024 with many, many unfinished projects. She taught me to knit and all my friends to knit too. Knitting was her passion! Not only did I have my mom’s project finished but I made a new friend too! Thanks for all you do!” — Bobbe

Marianne was a gifted crafter who taught Anastasia to crochet. Cara, a Loose Ends finisher, spent 25 hours completing her vest—a colorful tribute to Marianne and her love of frogs. PS: Anastasia shared that her grandma Marianne survived the Barnum & Bailey circus fire at age 10!!!

I asked Kaitlin what her grandma's favorite flower was...a gardenia. With purple, and blue, I crocheted two gardenias to mark the place where Mitzi stopped and I began." — Julie, Loose Ends finisher

Julie spent about 75 hours crocheting this blanket.

Sylvia, "Nana," was a short, bubbly, tough woman who loved watching sports.

These cross-stitch pieces depict Riley (Sylvia’s granddaughter) and her brother when they were children. One had been started and the other not. Loose Ends finisher Janet finished them both in about 600 hours.

One year ago today, our phones started blowing up, Friends heard volunteer finisher talk about Loose Ends on Jeopardy. Thousands of people have found us because of that mention. Maybe someday we will be the answer to a question!!! Instagram has the video. 🩷@jeopardyofficial.bsky.social

Erma was a self-taught quilter who loved color & mixing fabric designs & African American storytelling through quilts. She died three years ago, leaving behind a handful of unfinished quilts - works of art. Sarah, Loose Ends finisher, completed this piece and is starting work on a second.

“Lisa spent ~50 hrs finishing the quilt my son’s grandma started. With help from Dawn & Harriet at @creationstation, she quilted it beautifully—no charge, just kindness. We were so moved.” Morgan

Matt's grandmother, Helen, passed away mid-sweater, and when Matt submitted the project ot be finished, there was no pattern. Donna, Loose Ends finisher, completed the piece without a pattern, basing the design on Matt's notes, and on the shape of another sweater he liked. #looseends

Milton passed away in 2019 at the age of 82. When going through his things, his kids found a quilt top with a note, written by his mother, that said, “This goes to Milton, he started this when he was a boy”.

Lucie spent 60 hours finishing this quilt.

Leslie’s mom began crocheting this blanket when Leslie was born—43 years ago. She passed in 2015 before finishing it. Due to RA since age 3, Leslie can’t crochet herself. Myra spent 40 hours completing it, honoring a mother’s dream.

"How did it feel? There are no words to describe what it’s like to have my mom’s handiwork come to life with the help of very special volunteers. I am so grateful." — Ann

Loose Ends finisher, Gail, spent 40 hours completing this blanket. #kindnessofstrangers #looseends

Our first project from Mexico! This quilt was submitted by Donya, begun by her grandmother, matched with a piecing Finisher from Mexico, and then sent to a U.S. finisher for quilting. Then returned back to Donya through three other people, challenging logistics, but we got there! 🇲🇽 🇺🇸 🪡 🧵 #looseends

Carlyn carried her grandma Berdina’s unfinished blanket for 20 years, hoping it could be finished. Loose Ends Project finisher Caroline picked up where Berdina left off. Now it’s ready to pass to Carlyn’s daughter—Berdina’s namesake.

"When Meredith saw the finished sweater she was moved to tears. When she learned that her mother’s sweater didn’t follow the written pattern, she was surprised! Her mother was innovative." — Mercedes

Mercedes (Loose Ends finisher) spent 25 hours completing this sweater.

Rachel (Loose Ends finisher) is a pro. She needed to remove some of the original crafters’ stitches and fix them, something that can be a bit stressful. “Because we were local, Judy and I were able to have a tea and visit. It was lovely.” — Rachel

Rachel spent about 20 hours on this project.

Jillian spent about 100 hours finishing this blanket for Erin. “Weaving in 352 ends on 44 granny squares took forever.”

This project was started by Aunt Dottie for her grand-niece Ella, but she died before she was able to finish it.

This book is gorgeous.

"This quilt was begun by my mother who passed away in 2024. I found it in her sewing room. I think it may have been for my wedding but I didn’t end up marrying the guy and I think she set it aside and didn’t go back to it."

This quilt was completed and returned by Loose Ends finisher Evelyn.

We call doilies the cilantro of the crochet world…. Folks love them or they don’t!!! Doily fan here though 🩷 (I have an collection from estate sales
And FB marketplace).

The last few years of her life, washcloths were her easier, comforting, go-to projects. It tickled her that we found so many uses for them. But we had to promise we would never use them as doilies." — Nancy

"To have been a part in finishing Lyn’s knit work was an honor." — Melanie

COCOKNITS Thoughtfully designed knitting patterns and craft tools to delight in making. Founded by Julie Weisenberger, our line of Cocoknits Method patterns simplify top-down sweater knitting with customization...

Cocoknits x Loose Ends launch a new product to help keep your crafts organized & your details in one place. @cocoknits.bsky.social

FREE Cocoknits pattern when you buy a Project Keeper or Folders & Tags! Visit cocoknits.com and add the pattern of your choice. Use code: CocoknitsPK at checkout.

Cocoknits x Loose Ends launch a new product to help keep your crafts organized & your details in one place. @cocoknits.bsky.social

FREE Cocoknits pattern when you buy a Project Keeper or Folders & Tags! Visit cocoknits.com and add the pattern of your choice. Use code: CocoknitsPK at checkout.

"While not a large project, it was still important to my mother to be able to have it finished and given to Jake while she was still around. Deb did a great job of tidying the edges before applying a binding. It looks so good. " — Beverly

This quilt was completed by Loose Ends finisher, Deb.