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A SHAMELESS THEFT (of an idea)

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http://anestforallseasons.blogspot.com/2011/03/jar-project.html

Have you heard of  ‘pay it forward’ or ‘random acts of kindness’?  The idea is that you’ll pass along a good deed or a small gift (like a paperback book) anonymously by placing it in a public place to be ‘adopted’ by the person who finds it – or in the good deed category, maybe you’ll pay for the cup of coffee of the person behind you in line or secretly shovel a neighbor’s sidewalk.  These little things can make us feel great!  It is great to give as well as to receive.

Then, I ran across this idea.  Basically, you take a jar and lid lid that would otherwise go in the trash or recycling bin and place something small and pretty in it.  Then, you leave the jar in a public place for someone to happen on – to brighten the day of the recipient.  Since it’s unlikely that you’ll see the recipient find the ‘gift’, you just have to trust that your small token will be well received.

So, here’s my plan.  Gather all those jelly jars and other clear containers that I’d normally throw away.  Then, I’ll crochet a small item – a potholder or a flower, for instance – place it in the jar and leave it somewhere along my daily journey – probably in the atrium of the hospital where I work.  I’ll go one step farther and mark the jar with a small piece of paper that says ‘FREE’ on it.

I’ll also print up a batch of small notes to tuck in each jar stating that this is a Happiness Project.  Then, there’s a good chance that the recipient will think of a way to ‘pay it forward’.

My note will say:

I crocheted this little gift to brighten your day.

Please accept it with an open heart.

Now, it’s your turn to do something that will put a smile on the face of a stranger.

Looking for more patterns for flowers? Check out this Crochet Flower Pattern Book.

Comments

  1. Brilliant idea. I can see where this will brighten someones day–especially if they are having a bad one.

  4. What a NICE IDEA!!! EVERYONE needs SOMEONE to think of them! To make them feel SPECIAL! A COMPLETE STRANGER? Kinda nice!!!! 🙂

  9. What a fantastic idea. You’ll feel wonderful, the next person will be grateful, and it will snowball from there. Way to bring out good karma for yourself and others.

  10. thats a lovely idea, will give it ago, another one is to stamp a picture, I did a little girl hugging a teddy and “A hug is always the right size” then laminate it and give them to people but they have to accept a hug of you and then pass on the picture or keep it for themselves, it suprised me how many people took my hugs and loved the idea

  11. Yay!! I’m so glad you are shamelessly passing along goodwill! I left little notes in mine as well, but putting “free” on them is a great idea!!

  14. Mind if I post this one on my groups?? I have a few groups that have craft elements on them and we love to do RAOKs…. I love this idea and think we should all do it more often. Best of this one is that even my NON-crafty friends can do it by putting something nice in it from a $1 store or some candies (not chocolate that would melt, I mean like boiled sweets or gum etc). Brilliant idea, of course I’d be doing the craft items to go in them!!

    Oh and JD… I LOVE your blog!!

    Hugs, Paula xx

  15. PLEASE feel free to pass along this idea! I would love to have more people in different crafts join in. Almost anything can fit into a glass jar – or other container of your choice. There is a Pay It Forward paperback sharing program that is quite popular. I think it’s a small way we can brighten the day of a stranger or friend!

    jd

  16. I love the idea of passing along a hug. One of my husband’s patients brought in a pretty little framed piece that says something to the effect that hugs are free, so here’s yours. I placed it in a prominent location by the receptionist’s desk for all to see!
    jd

  17. I love this! I am starting my own today. I have done the book thing, it’s actually kind of fun.

  18. Magnificent! What a beautiful way to brighten the world! I’m in! I started crocheting little flower pins from cotton yarn this morning. Think I might take them to the maternity ward of the hospital and pass them out…si

  19. Such a great idea! I’m reading this several months after it was originally posted (love that “you might also like” button) so I have the joy of seeing what actually went into the fabulous jars of happiness that you spread around your part of the country. Just beautiful.

Have you read?

Christmas Tree Crochet Scarf – A Fun and Festive Pattern Worth Revisiting

Some crochet patterns are practical, some are pretty, and some are just pure holiday fun. This Christmas Tree Crochet Scarf from CraftBits falls firmly into that last category, and honestly, that is exactly why it caught my eye again. It is quirky, cheerful, and the kind of novelty scarf that makes people smile before you have even had a chance to explain that yes, you really did make it yourself. The pattern comes from CraftBits and creates a scarf made up of Christmas tree motifs joined together into one gloriously festive wearable.

If this scarf looks a little familiar, you might already have spotted it in our roundup of 18 Free Christmas Crochet Scarf Patterns To Make As Gifts or in our collection of 15 Fun And Silly Crochet Scarf Patterns. It has definitely popped up on Crochet.CraftGossip before, and for good reason. It is one of those patterns that manages to be both wearable and wonderfully ridiculous, which is a very fine line in the world of festive crochet.

What I like most about this design is that it does not try to be subtle. It fully embraces the novelty Christmas vibe, and sometimes that is exactly what a seasonal project needs. The scarf is made using repeated tree shapes, so it has that satisfying motif-based construction that many crocheters enjoy. It also gives you the chance to play with embellishments like pom poms and stars, which adds even more personality to the finished piece. According to the CraftBits pattern, the scarf uses Red Heart Super Saver yarn, a size I hook, and simple decorative extras including felt and pom poms.

This would be such a fun project for a holiday party outfit, an ugly sweater event, a handmade gag gift, or just for someone who genuinely loves festive accessories. We all know at least one person who would wear this proudly while serving Christmas lunch or turning up to school pickup in December like the absolute queen of holiday spirit.

It is also the sort of pattern that feels a little nostalgic in the best possible way. CraftBits has had this project around for years, and it still holds up because novelty crochet never really goes away. It just waits patiently for the rest of us to catch up again. And let’s be honest, there is something refreshing about a project that does not take itself too seriously. Not every scarf needs to be neutral, elegant, or sensible. Some scarves are allowed to be actual Christmas trees.

So yes, you may have seen this one before in our scarf roundups, but I think it deserves its own little spotlight too. If you are in the mood to make something playful, memorable, and completely unapologetic for the holiday season, this one is worth another look.