Knitting For Charity
How To Get Started With Charity Knitting

Are you thinking about knitting for charity and wondering how to get started with it?

Here are some thoughts and ideas about what to think about and consider before you get started.

For someone in need, there's nothing more comforting than receiving something warm and cozy. It offers comfort, warmth and hope.

When I stayed at a shelter some time ago, almost 10 years now, they gave me a lovely throw blanket I still cherish. 

Actually I still have that little throw and it's the perfect snugly size too.

Knitting for Charity Can Be Relatively Easy ...

For instance my friend Marc knits hats throughout the year. 

When he has a bunch he takes them downtown and hands them out to people who need them.

One thing he told me is, for people living on the streets keep the colors dark or muted. Why?

For one thing dark colors won't show the dirt. Secondly, people don't want to stand out.

I never would have thought about that and it makes sense.

So, it's easy enough to do charity knitting on your own like Marc is doing and for some this works.

However, there are some other things you can do to get involved as well.

Make Phone Calls To Local Charities

To start with, call some local homeless shelters, shelters for abused women and children and men's shelters. 

There's also local hospitals, cancer centers and churches too. Ask if there is a need for knitted items. 

They will probably be able to put you in touch with someone that can help you get started.

Do you love animals? Phone some local animal shelters and see if they have a need for some knitted items.

You can even check out the wildlife shelters as well.

And if you want to look into knitting charities a little further do a Google search.  

Just type in something like knitting for charity or knitting charity and see what you come up with.

Checklist Before Joining Knitting For Charity Organization

1. Just like many other things in life, please do your due diligence with knitting charities. 

Research them a bit before you choose which charity organization to support.

2. Make sure your knitting is going to help someone. This may sound silly but please ask questions. 

Maybe they won't be as interested in knitted items or maybe they'd prefer a cash donation.

3. Check out the charity's web page and be sure to read all the guidelines. Know exactly what they're asking for. 

If they would like knitted items then know exactly what you will be knitting. 

And is it something you will enjoy knitting? 

4. Find out what type of yarns they want you to use. This is very important. 

Some may be more specific than others. Usually the yarns are cotton or acrylic, very soft and washable but check to be sure.

For homeless shelters washable wool and wool blends offer better warmth and protection from the elements. 

5. One final note:  Keep in mind that it's not what you want to knit for the knitting charity but rather what the charity needs.  

At the same time I'm sure you'll be able to find a charity that will take what you truly enjoy knitting so look around.

Knitting For Charity Organizations 

Toques For Kids  Keeping Heads Warm One Stitch At A Time

In Northern areas of Canada the winters can be bitterly cold. Temperatures easily dip down to -30 and -40 degrees.

Sadly there are some elementary and high school students that don't have a toque to keep their head warm. 

In fact they don't even have a pair of mittens or gloves for their hands. 

Toques For Kids is a group of dedicated knitters determined to help by knitting toques, mittens and gloves.

They are determined to keep toddlers, kids and teens warm and you can help.

This is the perfect knit for charity organization if you enjoy hat knitting or glove and mitten knitting. 

I have some super easy and fast hat knitting patterns to get you started. A couple are at the end of my post.

These are small but mighty knitting projects that can really help these kids stay warm. 

You'll find all the charity knitting information on their website and they also include some patterns for the toques.

Be sure to check out my easy knitting patterns page for more ideas.

And if you need extra help with knitting a hat check out my hat knitting tips page. It'll help you along. 

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Knit a Square 

Knit a Square or KAS is a lovely community of knitters and crocheters who knit or crochet 8 inch squares. 

The squares are made into blankets for the South African AIDS orphans. 

Anyone can knit a square. They're simple and easy to knit just like knitting dishcloths.

The only difference is that I wouldn't necessarily use cotton yarn but rather something a little warmer.

Their aim is to provide warmth and comfort to orphaned, abused or abandoned children. 

You will find patterns on their website for knitting, crocheting and sewing.

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Knitted Knockers of Canada

OR

Knitted Knockers  (US)

This wonderful organization is made up of volunteer knitters and crocheters. 

They knit prosthesis for breast cancer survivors as well as for women undergoing breast reconstruction. 

Please check out their website for guidelines and patterns. The yarn choice is very important.

I found more knitting patterns on the US site including a pattern for straight needles so do check both sites.

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Snuggles Project

Knit small blankets (Snuggles) for cats and dogs in animal shelters. 

This knitting charity provides comfort and warmth to animals in shelters by making small blankets. 

Each blanket is put on the floors of the pens helping the animals stay warm and comforted while they wait to be adopted. 

You'll find many patterns on the site for knitting, crocheting, sewing and quilting these little blankets.

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Project Linus Canada

OR

Project Linus US

This is another great knitting for charity organization that provides warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill or traumatized. 

They give them handmade blankets and quilts. And you can become a blanketeer. 

Their website provides you with blanket guidelines, blanket making tips and blanket sizes.

They also have local chapters all over Canada and the US.

If you enjoy knitting blankets this is a terrific charity organization.

Fast and Simple Charity Knitting Patterns

These are wonderfully fast and simple knitting patterns for charity knitting.

You may also enjoy checking out the rest of my easy knitting patterns for other quick knitting projects.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to all of you who give from the heart to those who desperately need a helping hand.

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