Knitters tend to be a generous sort. Many knitters lovingly craft items to give to friends and family. A lot of knitters will admit that they knit for others with affection in every stitch. A knitted gift is akin to telling someone how special he/she is to the knitter.

Knitters don't only knit for those they love; they often knit for total strangers when they knit for various charities.

What items do charities need? Hats, sweaters, socks, blankets, booties, to name a few. Many hospitals accept baby knits such as hats. Hats are essential in hospital nurseries. Because a large amount of the body's warmth is lost through the head, hats are routinely placed on babies. This is especially important for premature babies, whose bodies are even less adept at regulating body temperature than their full-term counterparts. For a preemie, a head covering could be the difference between life and death, particularly in third-world countries that don't have the sophisticated medical equipment found in many U.S. nurseries.

There are also charities who accept burial gowns and blankets for babies who don't survive. Instead of viewing this as morbid knitting, knitters can see this as the ultimate in gift-giving. The grieving parents undoubtedly take great comfort in being able to wrap their infants in beautiful garments that were hand-crafted.

Most hospitals who accept baby items require the items be made of acrylic yarn. One reason is washability: acrylic is generally always machine-washable and dryable, an important consideration for hospitals. There is also the concern that a baby could be allergic to wool, so for safety's sake, acrylic is the general rule. This is a plus for knitters because acrylic yarn can be easily found (as readily at the craft store as the local yarn store) and is inexpensive. There are lines specifically made for baby knitting as the yarn is exceptionally soft.

Homeless shelters and organizations who help the homeless also accept donations. Knitters can knit afghans, or if that isn't possible, can knit rectangles which will be combined into afghans and blankets. One organization that oversees the distribution of the many rectangles and afghans contributed is Warm Up America.

Afghans for Afghans is another organization dedicated to helping others. This charity does accept wool items because wool's properties of holding warmth and its durability are much valued in the harsh Afghanistan weather. Machine-washability isn't important in a region where washing machines are a true luxury and something many Afghans don't have.

Prayer shawls are another area in which knitters spread love. Knitters make shawls for others who are going through a difficult time in their lives. It's like wrapping someone in love and hope, as the knitter is encouraged to say a prayer with every stitch.

Caps for cancer victims are easy and quick to make, as well as being useful. For chemotherapy patients, many of whom lose their hair, these hats can brighten up an otherwise dreary experience.

Although the Internet has made it easy to find charities in your area who need items, charity knitting is not something that came with technology. Charity knitting was around during World War II, when everyone was encouraged to knit for the soldiers, including school age children. The Red Cross provided lists of needed items and patterns for knitters to follow (a commememorative Knit Kit is available for purchase at the Red Cross website).

Whatever cause you choose to support and contribute to, know that you're doing something good, something many other knitters have done before you and will continue to do: helping others by wrapping them in handmade warmth and affection, something knitters have always done.

Some links to causes you may want to support with your gifts of time and affection:

Caps for Cancer

Care Wear

Caps to the Capital

Afghans for Afghans

Project Linus