Knit or Crochet for a Worthy Cause
Small Projects Suitable for Charity Knitting
Handmade Hugs and Kisses for Those in Need
Knitting for a cause has been around for as long as there have been knitters and causes--a very long time! Whether knitting socks to send to soldiers, crocheting granny squares to make lap robes for hospitals or making a special prayer shawl for a friend with cancer, you can use your needlework skills to bless somebody else. You need not be an expert, as charity knitting can be kept simple. In fact, simple is best--you can help more people faster!
Charity knitting (or crocheting) is a wonderful way to make an impact on the world even if you can't leave your home. You may find a cause in your own community, such as a children's hospital in need of baby hats or Christmas stockings for sick children. If you are in an isolated area, there are organizations that will gladly receive your shipments of crocheted or knitted items.
Guidelines and Tips for Charity Projects
When creating items to give away, be sure to abide by any guidelines given by a particular charity. For example, most charity items must be machine washable. Project Linus has very strict guidelines for blankets that are destined for neonatal units, of course, as well as basic requirements for all blankets. Chemotherapy caps need to be made of extra soft yarn for comfort. Take advantage of sales and coupons at your local fabric and craft stores. Stock up on the yarns you use for your cause. Mention your projects at school or church as well--those who don't knit or crochet might want to donate yarn or postage money to your charity efforts.
The More, the Merrier
Finally, consider teaching young people to knit or crochet. A worthy cause will give them incentive to practice and perfect their skills. See the links below for ideas and get your home school group, college dormitory, 4-H club, or scout group involved. Many students need service hours as a requirement for high school or college graduation, so a charity crafting project would be a great opportunity for them. The skills they learn can be applied for the rest of their lives to the benefit of their family, friends, and favorite charity.
Great Knitting Resource for Charity Knitters: Includes Patterns
How to Get Involved with a Charity that Needs You
- Mother Bear Project
Knit comforting stuffed toys for children living in poverty. - Project Linus National Headquarters
Project Linus is a non-profit volunteer organization that provides love, security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized or otherwise in need through gifts of lovingly created handcrafted blankets and quilts.
Organize a Knitalong
Knitting for charity is even more fun with friends! Get together over coffee or over the internet and pool your efforts to produce a bunch of baby hats, blanket squares, scarves, or whatever your favorite cause needs.
Schools, yarn shops, or churches can serve as meeting places or collection points to get your whole community involved. Online, check out groups on Ravelry or other knitting sites.
Add Variety to Your Charity Projects
- Knitted Scarves for Everyone; a book by Kimberly Schimmel
Four scarf patterns are presented with simple, illustrated instructions. All can be cone by any knitter who can cast on, knit, purl, cast off, and change colors. Designs were inspired by novels and by travels. - Knitted Scarves for the Adventurous Knitter; a book by Kimberly Schimmel
Welcome to Book 2 of the FiberFrau Series of patterns. Once again FiberFrau presents scarf designs for hand knitting. Two of the three scarves are inspired by the novel, Divergent, by Veronica Roth. A third was inspired by The Hunger Games series.
