'Thoughful Thursday' Learn How to Knit for Charity

Learn How to Knit for Charity With These Easy Squares!

Knitting blanket squares is fun whether you're trying to learn how to knit or you've been doing it for years.

Do you want to learn how to knit and help others at the same time? Many charities accept simple blanket squares, the perfect projects to help you learn how to knit! Blanket squares whip up easily and simply, and once you learn how to knit more proficiently, you can get creative with different colors, styles, and patterns.

The Basics

In order to start knitting squares for charity, you'll have to learn how to knit the basic knit stitch. To start, get a set of knitting needles (it's a good idea to start with about a size 6mm while you learn how to knit) and some yarn you like. Begin by tying a slip knot in the yarn. The slip knot will be your first stitch.

Hold the needle with the stitch in your left hand and push the right hand needle into the stitch, so both needles are in the same stitch. Wrap the yarn around the bottom needle and pull it back through the first stitch. Now you have two stitches, one on either needle. Put the stitch on your right needle onto the left needle. Now you have two!

 Keep doing this until you have 30 stitches.
This is called casting on.

Keep Going!

Knitting is almost exactly the same as casting on. You make the stitch the same way, but instead of placing the left hand stitch onto the right needle, you slip the right hand stitch right off. That way you'll always have forty stitches (for example, after your first stitch, you'll have thirty nine on the left needle and one on the right). Continue this way until you've completed a row, then turn it around and do the same thing all over again.

 Keep knitting until you have a square that measures 8 inches (20cm) all the way around.

Almost Done!

It's time to cast off. Knit two stitches as you normally would. Then take the first stitch, the one furthest from the end, and lift it over the second stitch, sliding it right off the needle.
 Knit another stitch and repeat until only one stitch remains. Cut your yarn and pass the tail through your last remaining stitch, pulling it tight.

You've now made an 8 X 8 square! Best of all, you can learn how to knit and help those in need at the same time. This 8 X 8 square is exactly the sized used by 'Lily' - Love In the Language of Yarn, an organization that collects squares and makes them into blankets to warm and comfort the Syrian childrn refugees in Turkey. Also by Knit A Square to make blankets for Aids Orphans.







Who'd have thought it: you can learn how to knit and help bring warmth and comfort to the worlds needy, all in a single stroke!