Lion Brand Notebook ®
Did you know you can help a cause you care about with your handmade goods? There are several charities for knitters and crocheters looking for donations now!
As a knitter or crocheter, you know the joy of gifting handmade items to those you love. Creating afghans, sweaters, or socks for those we care about is meaningful. But, did you know there are other ways you can use your talents to bring joy to others? There are actually several charities for knitters and crocheters to donate their handmade treasures to.
We’ve put together a list of 10 charities where you can share your handicrafts, while also changing the world.
Warm Up America began in 1991 as a way for founder Evie Rosen to give back to those in need in her small Wisconsin town. Since that time, the mission has grown quite a bit! Today, Warm Up America provides handmade goods to people all over the US. Tens of thousands of items are lovingly donated each year. They always accept afghans in all sizes, adult hats, baby hats, baby clothing, and knit or crochet sections that are 7” x 9”. The finished items are donated to shelters, hospitals, veterans facilities, and other similar places.
During World War I and II Red Cross volunteers delivered hand knit and crocheted items to soldiers and refugees in need. It was in this same spirit that Afghans for Afghans was born. Started by Red Cross volunteers, Afghans for Afghans delivers hand-knit or crocheted blankets, sweaters, hats, mittens, socks, and vests to people in need in Afghanistan. Check the website for more information on how to get involved. You can donate handmade items and know that your gift will provide comfort for someone in crisis.
When someone goes through a tragedy or crisis, the smallest sign of love can bring comfort. This is what Heartmade Blessings does with their Comfort Afghans and Bearghans. They are looking for crochet squares for the beautiful comfort afghans and Bearghans (bear shaped blankets for children) they provide to people all over the US.
Crochet for Cancer provides hand crocheted hats to oncology patients who have lost their hair due to chemotherapy. When Tracy Wells’ mom was diagnosed with cancer, both mother and daughter found comfort in handmade items donated by a local charity. That’s when Tracy decided she needed to do something to provide this type of care and compassion to others all over the country. With chapters in several states, you can mail your donations to the chapter nearest you. They also accept donations of yarn, blankets, and gift cards to craft stores. The website provides free patterns so you can create caps easily.
Of course, you’ll also need yarn. One great option to consider for soft and cozy hats is Pound of Love. This premium acrylic yarn is perfect for crochet caps!
What is more comforting for a child than a security blanket? Children feel loved and comforted when surrounded by their own security blanket. Even more so if they are ill or suffering some sort of trauma. Project Linus Founder Karen Loucks first got the idea for Project Linus while reading an article about a three-year-old child going through chemotherapy. The child had a special security blanket that was always by her side. Loucks realized that she could create blankets for her local Denver cancer center, and Project Linus has grown ever since. If you’d like to become a “blanketeer” check out their website to find your local chapter.
Soldiers’ Angels provides many forms of assistance for military troops and their families. Their sewing and crafting team provides handmade blankets to provide comfort and care for those in need. Finished blankets are given to active duty military, VA hospitals, and military families who are expecting new bundles of joy. If you’re interested in participating, take a look at their Sewing and Crafting Team page.
Knit for Kids provides knit sweaters and other precious handcrafted items to children all across the world. The project began through Guidepost magazine when they starting accepting donated knit or crocheted sweaters in 1996. Today over half a million children around the world have received one of these treasured items. In 2009, Guidepost turned over the Knit for Kids program to World Vision in order to help reach more children in need with donated knit treasures.
If you’ve ever been a pet owner, you know how much animals can enrich your life. However, for shelter animals, life often takes a different turn. These would-be pets spend time caged and lonely, without snuggling time or love. That’s where the Snuggles Project can help. By providing scared or difficult animals a “snuggle” (knit or crochet blanket) that is handmade with love, these animals will calm down and relax. If you’re a knitter or crocheter who loves animals, you can help make a better shelter experience for some furry friends.
There are approximately 14.8 million orphans in sub-Saharan Africa. Many of these children are in poverty, and/or living with AIDS. Knit-A-Square began as a family project in 2008, and quickly became a community estimated to be 12,000 people strong. Volunteers make 8×8 squares (knit or crochet), and Knit-A-Square transforms these into comfort blankets. You can help a vulnerable child feel warm, loved, and comforted, while also raising awareness for a problem that often goes overlooked.
You can also help your local community without specific charities for knitters and crocheters. Check in with local hospitals and cancer centers to see if they need caps or blanket donations for patients. You can also check with local homeless shelters or women’s shelters. Likewise, you may want to reach out to your local animal shelter to see if they would appreciate donated small blankets for the animals in their care.
How will you put your crafting skills to good use and help those in need in your community and around the world? What charities for knitters and crocheters will you reach out to? Leave us a comment below!
You must be <a href="https://blog.lionbrand.com/wp-login.php?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.lionbrand.com%2F10-charities-for-knitters-and-crocheters%2F">logged in</a> to post a comment.
Linda Rea
I crochet shawls for my local nursing home. I had found a pattern I liked and before I knew it I had 6 or 8 made and didn’t know what to do with them. Years ago I had been a nurse’s aide in a nursing home and remembered how chilled many of the residents seemed sitting in halls or large open recreation rooms. All the nursing homes usually had to offer where large thin hospital type blankets. So, I took my shawls in and offered them. They were so pleased to get them. They even give them to the residents as birthday gifts. I’ve since read that Alzheimer patients can benefit from different textures and thicknesses in one piece for running their hand over.
Maria Dolson
Would love patterns for infant hats for the Inspira Hospital nursery. Currently, I crochet around 10 hats per week but use the same patterns all the time. Do you know a site I can get patterns without paying for them as I already donate the yarn for the hats.
Thank you.
laura seymour
There is also Comfort for Critters. They take ready made blankets, fleece, and yarn which they make into blankets for shelter animals. A good way to thin out your stash! http://comfortforcritters.org/volunteer-resource
Nancy Heaton
I knit and crochet prayer shawls and newborn blankets for my church. I’m told over & over again how they appreciate them and how much comfort it brings to those going through a rough time.
Nancy Pawlowski
Hi, I make afghans/throws to donate to the local women’s shelter. My sister and I have been doing it for many years. Last year, with the help of one of my crochet students, we donated 50 handmade crochet throws. I have a “fast” pattern that uses #6 bulky yarn and size P crochet hook that I can whip out one throw in a couple of evenings in front of the TV. (The pattern is chain 71, sc and chain 1 across until the last 2 chains where I do sc, sc without the chain between. Then the next rows are sc in the first sc, chain 1, sc in ch-1 sp of previous row. I make them approx. 40″x55″, or enough to cover my lap and off the sides, and from the floor to my chin standing up – I’m 5’5.5″ tall.)
Beverley Ambs
I have been making prayer shawls and lap blankets for years for friends and people in need in my local area. Then I was asked to knit and crochet hats for the preemies in the hospital where I worked – that has now expanded to include blankets as well. My church created a prayer shawl ministry to help me. They are fantastic and very creative! I am also involved with the Linus Blanket Project and provide heavy weighted blankets for children with emotional and behavioral needs. In response to the question of a website for free patterns for baby hats for preemies through children, I recommend she check out Bev’s Country Cottage website. Bev Q. created this site for those who want to create and support charities. It has been my understanding that this site is designed for charities only and she asks that no project from this site be sold. There are many other sites, but I primarily use Lion Brand and Bev’s Country Cottage for my patterns and those of the Prayer Shawl Ministry at my church.
Thank you Lion Brand for connecting others to these worthwhile charities. nothing compares to the feel I get from helping others, especially children in need.
Kyra Frisby
Throughout the years, I have made hats and scarves for the homeless. I dropped off items to several shelters and deliver personally to folks living on the streets. I am just doing what God has called me to do with some of my god given gifts.
Richard Kochel
Have just started knitting on looms, doing hats for recipients you. Since I can’t get out a lot due to physical problems, I can turn my leisure time into productive time. A lot of people are surprised that a guy knits but I find it very enjoyable. Our church “Crossroads Community” has a ministry called “With These Hands” and they do hand knitted and crocheted items for Richland Pregnancy Center, The New Store, and Adopt-a-child.We meet monthly and pray over our items made and I hopefully am going to learn new techniques for knitting and crocheting.
Gail Fullilove
I belong to a charity called Octopus For A Preemie UK. We make little octopuses for premature babies in the UK. It stops them pulling on the various tubes which are helping to keep them alive. Check out the Facebook page for the charity. Each item is checked to ensure it complies with Health and Safety regulations before it is delivered to hospital.
Kathy Mumford
So much need in our community in Tasmania Australia – homeless, various shelters and other needs. A small group meet at St John’s Our Maker’s Workshop. We use our own wo, donated wool and ‘down sizer’ donated wool to make beanies, scarves, blankets and vests – sometimes mittens and scarves.
Melissa Williams
Hi Maria! There are some free patterns for newborn hats available here: http://blog.lionbrand.com/knit-crochet-little-hats-big-hearts/ Hope that helps 🙂
Melissa Williams
Hi Laura! Crochet for Critters sounds like a great charity. I will check that out!
Melissa Williams
Hi Gail, Octopus For A Preemie UK sounds like a wonderful charity!
Melissa Williams
Hi Richard, that sounds like a wonderful ministry!
Marie Donoso
I have been making lap blankets and donating them to a local nursing home or a local veterans group. I also have been making hats for adults going through chemotherapy. I give the hats to a friend who went through treatment a couple of years ago and she brings them to the office where she used to get treatment. I enjoy watching tv and movie so I crochet at the same time and get a lot of joy when my projects are completed.
Mary Kirby-Diaz
I really appreciate this post! Retired 5 years ago, and have since made about 100 blankets, first year for Project Linus , then for Warm Up America. Glad to see other venues, other possibilities (hats seem like a nice change of pace). Thanks again!!
LaRonza Moran
Hello! I’m looking for volunteers to make hand scarves and footies for ALS patients. My best friend, Mario, was diagnosed with ALS in July 2016. He founded a nonprofit to assist those affected by this terrible disease. In caring for him, we learned that ALS patients suffer from chilled hands and feet.
The Mario A. Finnell ALS Foundation has been in operation since February 2017. Our mission is to empower, educate, and assist individuals, families and caregivers affected by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Mario earned his wings on December 16, 2017. We (his family and friends) are honoring his request by keeping his Foundation alive!
We will be reaching out to nursing homes to see if any residents would be willing to volunteer their time. Any suggestions, comments are welcomed! Thank you so much!
LaRonza Moran
I can be reached via email: LaRonza@sbcglobal.net
Stay Strong Tote foundation
Send Hugs through Shrugs to moms entering Ronald McDonald Houses with their seriously ill or injured children. Stay Strong Totes are care packages that contain a number of items, including donated shrugs (rectangles with laced seams that form “sleevesâ€) and we recently included adding little Stay Strong Bear Buddies for the children. The Stay Strong Tote foundation will match a tote to every shrug donated. Volunteers can reach out to their local RMD House and introduce our project or ship shrugs to us and we will deliver to RMD Houses we already have established connections. Our website has simple pattern ideas and other info.
Patti Harris
Hi Melissa! This is something I have been wanting to do. Lots of great charities here, and I have some local places as well. I am retired, love to crochet and give, but am on fixed income. Any thoughts on how to obtain yarn so I can give more?