Knitting for charity is a wonderful way to give your knitting purpose by helping to change the world in a small but meaningful way. Knitting with a good cause in mind certainly helped me to stay focused when I was starting out.
One of the first pieces I knitted for charity was a hat for Save the Children (shown below). Knowing that the little hat I was knitting was going to help a tiny baby certainly helped me to complete my first piece!
Volunteer knitters of all skill levels can donate hand knit items. Some of the patterns are very simple.
Charities that accept knitted items
If you are thinking of knitting for charity, here are some types of charitable and non-profit organization that accept knitted donations:
- Animal shelters, such as a donkey sanctuary
- Hospital units for premature babies and sick children
- Homeless shelters
- Nursing Homes for those with alzheimer’s disease
- Hospital units for cancer patients
- Children in foster care
- Refugee camps
- Orphanages in emerging nations
Which items to knit for charity
Handmade items that are asked for include:
- Handmade blankets, both full size and lap blankets.
- Mittens
- Knit squares
- Handmade hats
- Knitted knockers (to raise awareness of breast cancer)
- Warm scarves
- Knitted teddy bears (Mother Bear Project)
- Prayer shawls (Alice’s Embrace)
One of the most well known charities for knitters to donate to is Project Linus, started by a lady called Karen Loucks. It began in America in 1995 when she saw a newspaper article showing how much a comfort blanket had helped a child cancer victim. She realised how providing hand knit blankets from a loving home could provide comfort and warmth to children living with terminal illnesses and decided to organise knitters to help.
Charity knitting patterns
Knitting charities usually provide free patterns for knitting volunteers so you will be spoilt for choice.
Some charities specify the type of yarn you must knit with but most are fairly flexible. You can say the same for patterns. Whilst you need to follow some patterns exactly, others aren’t fussy what pattern you follow as long as it complies with their guidelines.
Do keep in mind the recipient of your garment though. If you are knitting blankets for newborns, then make sure the yarn you have chosen is suitable for their soft skin.
Raise funds by selling your knitted items
Alternatively, you may choose to knit something and sell it to raise much needed funds for these aid organizations. This gives you total flexibility when it comes to deciding between knitting projects.
So, if you love knitting, whether you choose to knit for charity for babies or seniors, start clicking those needles for a good cause. There is nothing more satisfying than creating handmade gifts with love and giving it to those in need.
What is your knitting project going to be?