When it comes to charity knitting, it's not hard to find someone willing to benefit from the fruits of your labors. After all, there are a lot of people struggling out there, and a hand knit item means oh-so-much-more than something you picked up at Wal-Mart! Sure, they both serve the same function, but charity knitting communicates that someone cared enough to sit down and handcraft something special.

With that in mind, if you're interested in charity knitting, Knitting for Charity's website is the place to start. And here are a few great charities to keep in mind.

1. Afghans for Afghans

Afghans for Afghans is a great way to get started with charity knitting. It reaches out to people in a war torn nation -- people whose idea of Americans originate in negative media portrayals and memories of war. Afghans for Afghans reaches past the stereotypes to unite people on a human level.

2. Warm Woolies

Warm Woolies reaches out to children in Russian orphanages. We all know about Russian winters, so imagine living through one without warm clothes, blankets, mittens, and sweaters -- yikes! Warm Woolies is great for beginning knitters. They don't just provide the patterns; they give you everything you need to start out, including needles and yarn.

3. Bonnie Babies

Bonnie Babies specializes in premature infants. In this case, the need is often more emotional than physical. These parents might have enough money to clothe their children. A reminder that somebody cares can mean more than anything in the world as they watch their baby struggle to survive. Bonnie Babies also knits burial outfits for premature children who don't make it -- a hard thing to do, but something that makes a massive impact in parents' lives.

4. Cubs for Kids

Just as Bonnie Babies provides charity knitting for the heart, Cubs for Kids provides charity knitting for the playful side of a child's life. Kids need more than the basic necessities, and Cubs for Kids is dedicated to providing toy bears and toy clothing to brighten up the lives of children in need.

So there you have it... four of my favorite charities. If you've never tried charity knitting before, visit one of these organizations and start today!