Loose Ends Project is a non-profit that pairs incomplete projects by those who have died or become disabled with knitters and other crafters who have the skills to complete them.[1] Loose Ends began as an informal project by long-time knitters Jen Simonic and Masey Kaplan after a mutual friend, Patricia Gardner, asked them in July 2022 for help with blankets her late mother had not finished before her death.[2] Instead of taking on the project themselves, Simonic and Kaplan set up a website in September 2022.[3] The project grew rapidly from there, leading to the founding pair to formally apply for tax-exempt status.[1] From the U.S., the project has spread to 19,000 volunteers across 64 countries.[2]
Loose Ends tries to pair up projects with local crafters;[4] if the "finisher" with the necessary skills is further away, the requester pays for shipping. Regardless of location, all finishers are volunteers and complete their assigned projects for free.[5] The number of finishers exceeds the number of unfinished projects.[6]
References
edit- ^ a b Bebinger, Martha (2023-06-20). "Alzheimer's stopped her from finishing a rug. A stranger stepped up to help". WBUR. Retrieved 2023-06-21.
- ^ a b Opdyke, Heidi (19 January 2024). "Tartans Weave Through Loose Ends Project's Success". Mellon College of Science. Carnegie Mellon University. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
- ^ Huson, Caitlin (8 February 2023). "They died leaving labors of love undone. Strangers complete their work". The Washington Post. Retrieved 11 April 2024 – via Yahoo News.
- ^ Buccy, Sawyer (9 June 2023). "A complete stranger finishes a project for a Georgia woman". Atlanta News First. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
- ^ Perron, Adrienne (27 June 2023). "Loose Ends Project Volunteers Finish the Work of Deceased Fiber Artists". Down East Magazine. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
- ^ Deachman, Bruce (27 June 2023). "Finding a home for your loved ones' unfinished knitting projects when they die". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
- Jenkins, Beverly L. (17 June 2023). "When A Loved One Dies And Leaves "Loose Ends," Generous Crafters Tie Them Up". InspireMore. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
- Teboe, Chloe (6 February 2023). "Handiwork project finishes 'Loose Ends' after loved ones die". News Center Maine. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
- Blazenhoff, Rusty (21 February 2023). "Loose Ends project gets strangers to finish craft projects loved ones left behind". Boing Boing. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
- Alwahaidi, Keena (15 February 2023). "Volunteer 'finishers' help complete knitting projects started by late loved ones". CBC Radio. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
- Sopyla, Natalie (11 December 2023). "Loose Ends Project finishes projects for lost loved ones". Spectrum News 1. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
- Rosen, Peter (19 December 2023). "Tying up 'Loose Ends': Handwork project brings joy to those in grief". KSLTV.com. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
- Ryan, Carolyn (18 February 2024). "Project seeks crafty volunteers to pick up where beloved hands left off". CBC News. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
- Swann-Quinn, Martha (27 November 2023). "For Families Missing Loved Ones After Loss, This Company Is Making Miracles". Parents. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
- Kelley, Debbie (26 February 2024). "The 'Red Cross' of crafting: Loose Ends brings projects of deceased loved ones over the finish line". Colorado Springs Gazette. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
- [interview] Westen, Robin (1 December 2023). "Meet the Women Helping Bereaved Families of Crafters". AARP. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
- Corrigan, James (13 March 2023). "'Loose Ends' mends broken hearts by finishing knitting projects left behind by deceased loved ones". WMTW. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
- Fryer, Joe (27 February 2024). Knitters finish craft projects for loved ones who’ve passed. NBC News. Retrieved 11 April 2024.