If you're after free knitting patterns with a charitable bent, you're one of the thousands of knitters who have turned their attention towards the needs of others. There are hundreds of charities accepting donations from knitters, so you'll never run out of projects -- and no charity ever has enough donations.

Pretty much any knitted item can find a charitable home, but there are three things that seem to make up the bulk of charitable items: blankets, chemo caps, and preemie items. Make any one of those three, and you're sure to find a welcoming home. So if you're in a charitable frame of mind, check out these free knitting patterns and get started on your mission.

1. Knitting For Charity

Knitting for Charity is the ultimate site for all things charity. They have a vast selection of free knitting patterns and links to many more. Whether you're hunting for a delicate delivery blanket or a huge afghan to keep an entire family warm, a wig-like chemo cap, or a cuddly toy for a newborn, Knitting for Charity has a pattern for you.

2. Knitting Central

Knitting Central contains links to a wide variety of free knitting patterns helpfully organized by type (preemie, afghans, even pets). No matter your charitable bent, you'll find a helpful pattern here.

3. Knitting-and

Knitting-and is a treasure trove of unique and unusual knitting patterns. Like Knitting for Charity and Knitting Central, it contains a wide variety of patterns, making for hours of enjoyment browsing them before you arrive at your selection.

4. Head Huggers

This charity helpfully provides its own free knitting patterns for the dedicated chemo cap knitter -- a large selection of hats ranging from the conservative to the downright wacky. You're sure to find one to suit every taste.

5. Angels 4 Preemies

If you have a soft spot in your heart for premature babies, Angels 4 Preemies is the perfect charity for you -- and they have a wide selection of links to free knitting patterns for preemies, too. What more could you ask for?

No matter what you love to knit, there's a charity for you -- and you're sure to find all the free knitting patterns you can handle on these five sites!