Hey tumblr knitters and crocheters! Awhile ago I made a post saying that charity donations tend to drop off after Christmas (and when the tax year ends), and that cold-weather items are still needed in January, February, etc. I said I was going to spend all of January knitting only for charity, and asked if anyone wanted to join. I got A LOT of positive responses, so I’m putting together this masterpost of information! I will update it occasionally, so make sure to check back for more info. [You can also message me if there’s something you want to add to the masterpost]
Basic Information
After spending all of November/December knitting Christmas gifts for our loved ones, lets spend January knitting for those in need! I have dubbed January 2016 ‘Unofficial Charity Knitting Month.’
All knitters and crocheters are invited to participate (actually, all crafters are invited to participate!)! Even if you don’t knit or crochet, you should check out your local charities to see what kinds of items they might need during winter.
What Charities Can I Knit/Crochet For?
National and International Charities (Please check to see if the charity is active in your country):
Afghans for Afghans – an American-based charity sending knitted hats, mittens, and blankets to Afghanistan.
Knit-a-Square – Charity based in South Africa that accepts world-wide donations of knitted squares for blankets.
Project Linus – Knit blankets for children in need (you can drop off with a local volunteer coordinator). Also includes links for knitted and crochet blanket patterns.
Warm Up America – Knit/crochet blankets OR individual 7″x9″ squares.
Lion Brand Charity Finder – Find charities that are located close to you!
25,000 Toques – A Quebec-based charity knitting hats for Syrian refugees in Canada (website in French and English).
Go Local:
Try the following places in your town or city:
- Homeless shelters
- Women’s shelters (you could even ask if they’d like someone to come in and teach knitting!)
- Youth organizations (same comment as above!) (also, my local youth organization has a teen parent program that I often knit baby hats and blankets for)
- Crisis programs
- Hospitals (most hospitals have some kind of baby/preemie hat program…they may also accept hats for chemo patients)
- Nursing homes
What Should I Knit/Crochet?
If you’re knitting for a specific charity, remember to check out their website. They probably have links to different patterns that you can use for that organization. Below are some generic patterns for charity knitting (if you have any favorite crochet patterns, please message them to me and I’ll add them!):
Babies/Children
Adults
- Classic Cuffed Hat
- Super Soft Merino Hats for Everyone
- Ribbed Watchman’s Hat
- Skyping Beanie
- Seaman’s Cap
- Maize Fingerless Gloves and Mittens (for adults and children)
- Classic Mittens
- Scrunchable Scarf
- Nola’s Slipper Pattern
- Hiking Socks
Etc
- Mother Bear Project Teddy Bear
- Beans the Cat
- Hedgehogs
- Chevron Baby Blanket
- Leafy Baby Blanket
- Granny Square Blanket – I don’t have a specific pattern, but get some friends together, choose a granny square pattern, and crochet up a bunch! Join them together for granny square blankets.
- Easiest Baby Blanket EVER – Choose any yarn and appropriate size needle. Cast on 5. Every row (RS and WS) is the same: knit 3, yarn over, knit until end of the row. You’ll end up with a triangle that makes half a blanket. When you’ve reached the width you like, start decreasing. Again, every row is the same: knit 2, k2tog, yarn over, k2tog, knit until end of the row. Do this until you have 5 stitches left, and cast off.
How Can I Check Out Other People’s Projects?
You can use the tag ‘charity knitting’ on Tumblr and #charityknitting on Instagram or Twitter. Make friends with the other charity knitters! :]
(Also, if you’re following my blog, I will be reblogging charity knitting posts).
Do I Get Anything for Participating?
The satisfaction of helping someone in need! ALSO…I’m throwing around the idea of giving out a prize at the end of the month. I think the winner will be drawn from everyone who posts in the ‘charity knitting’ tag on Tumblr 😉
Thank you so much to everyone who is participating! I’m very excited and I think we’re going to keep a lot of people warm this winter :]
Unofficial Charity Knitting Month Masterpost
Published
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