'Thoughtful Thursday' Knitting For A good Cause

Knitting for charity is a wonderful thing. Not only does it allow you to knit more than you'd ever want to for your friends and family, you also get the good feeling that comes with helping other people. Charity knitting is a great group knitting activity. If you have a group of friends who knit (or who would like to start) a group knitting project for charity is a fun way to get everyone excited about knitting. An afghan made of simple squares is great even for beginners and will keep someone warm even if it isn't fancy. Even if you don't know the person who is to receive your homemade article, knowing that it is out there in the world is a great feeling. Many knitters love to share their skills by knitting for charitable organizations. Whether they're making blankets for kids in the hospital, chemo caps, teddy bears or sweaters for kids in far away countries, there are many ways to knit for charity. 

photo from knit a square

There are  probably organizations in your town that will need knitted goods for people undergoing  chemo therapy, newborn babies, children in protective custody, children involved in accidents, children in hospitals, veterans in VA hospitals, soldiers, homeless animals, and many others.

You can use a national organization as inspiration or even join a national group that provides charitable knitting by taking  the ideas of a larger knitting charity and focus them where you live
.

Knitting for someone else who has a greater need than yourself often helps put your problems in perspective. Many knitters enjoy knitting for charity, but if you've never done it before you may not know where to start. You could check with your local yarn shop, your local hospital, or shelters to see if they have a need for warm items.

Here's a list of some organisations that would benefit from your knitting or crocheting:


1. Lily- Love In the Language of Yarn https://www.facebook.com/LilyLoveInTheLanguageOfYarn
Need  Squares  to make blankets blankets for Syrian refugees in Turkey.


2. KasCare  Knit a square  http://www.knit-a-square.com and  https://www.facebook.com/Knitasquare
Need squares to make blankets for Aids orphans of South Africa also Slip-Overs, Hats, KASCuddles Jerseys, cardigans, jumpers and baby clothes.


3. Lisas Stars  http://www.lisasstars.org.uk  and
 http:// www.facebook.com/pages/lisas-stars/159738440713941 Need Blankets Hats Booties Cardigans

Angel Pockets Burial Gowns Buntings Sleeping Sacks.

4. Knit with Love  http://www.knitwithlove.org  need scarves, beanies, blankets and other knitted items.

5. RSPCA www.rspca.org.uk  need blankest for dogs.

6. Loving Hands http://www.lovinghands.org.uk/For the elderly:-Hats, Scarves, Mittens, Gloves

Lap Rugs, Blankets, Bed Socks, Jumpers,Cardigans,Bed Jackets,Hot water bottle covers.

7. Strickpate  http://strickpate.wordpress.com/ and www.facebook.com/strickpate need Socks, Gloves, Hats, Scarves, Fingerless / arm warmers, Leg warmers for childrenof all ages.

8. Bridge and Beyond http://homelessbridge.blogspot.com  need Hats, mittens, scarves, and slippers for homeless men, women, and children .

Another thing to keep in mind is that the need for garments or knitted items is all year round and not just in the winter time. Shelters and hospitals are often overwhelmed with donations at the holidays, but still need items throughout the year. There are nunerous international organisations who require knitted items and may have a local Office near  you or a collection point not too far away. 

'Thoughtful Thursday' - Knit With Love

Today our featured Charity is 'Knit With Love.'

Knit With Love was founded by Lindsay Baxter as a high school student in Orange County, California. She learned to knit at a young age, and built up a large inventory of scarves and beanies (hats). The giving of her first knitted beanie to her grandmother who was going through chemotherapy, and seeing how much happiness it brought her was one of her main reasons for starting this charity. A few days before Christmas in 2008 Lindsay went to downtown Los Angeles to pass out knitted items to the local homeless people and seeing how much appreciation there was for these simple items, was inspired to continue on with this. Since then Knit With Love has donated over 1,200 items to people in need in twenty-three countries. They have donated items to homeless children and adults in America, impoverished people all over the world, and kids in cancer wards in hospitals.

Knit With Love is focused on providing scarves, beanies, blankets and other knitted clothing to people in need. The gift of a scarf or cap can bring joy to a person in a time of need, and brighten up their life.Every item donated is knit with love and with a specific purpose in mind. The goal is to provide warmth, hope, and love to people in need. They donate items to homeless people, impoverished children abroad, premature babies, people going through cancer treatments, and are always looking for more deserving people to give to.

How You Can Help

Knitters are invited to help by providing much needed scarves, beanies, blankets and other knitted items and even if you don’t knit, you can donate yarn and needles to help knit items for people in need.You can ship it via UPS or other carrier to the address below.

Ship Donations To: Knit With Love.
32565 Golden Lantern, Suite B, # 190.
Dana Point, California 92629

Knit With Love is committed to giving warmth through knitted items. With the support of many sponsors and supporters, are able to maximize the effect of every dollar received. Knit With Love is an all volunteer charity, and make every dollar count. If you’d like to make a financial donation information is on the web site.

The link to Knit with Love web site is: http://www.knitwithlove.org

If you have any questions about donating please email info@knitwithlove.org
If you know of a person in need, or a charity/organization that helps people, and you feel that Knit With Love can help by providing knit items, please contact them, they would love to help in any way possible. . Help put a smile on a deserving person’s face today!.

Are you’re looking for a way to use up your leftover yarn?
Please help Lindsay and her team and ‘Knit With Love’.

Knit With Love

September is Knitting for Charity Month For knitting Galore. Today our featured Charity is Knit With Love.

Knit With Love was founded by Lindsay Baxter as a high school student in Orange County, California. She learned to knit at a young age, and built up a large inventory of scarves and beanies (hats). The giving of her first knitted beanie to her grandmother who was going through chemotherapy, and seeing how much happiness it brought her was one of her main reasons for starting this charity. A few days before Christmas in 2008 Lindsay went to downtown Los Angeles to pass out knitted items to the local homeless people and seeing how much appreciation there was for these simple items,  was inspired to continue on with this. Since then Knit With Love has donated over 1,200 items to people in need in twenty-three countries. They have donated items to homeless children and adults in America, impoverished people all over the world, and kids in cancer wards in hospitals.

Knit With Love is focused on providing scarves, beanies, blankets and other knitted clothing to people in need.  The gift of a scarf or cap can bring joy to a person in a time of need, and brighten up their life.Every item donated is knit with love and with a specific purpose in mind. The goal is to provide warmth, hope, and love to people in need. They donate items to homeless people, impoverished children abroad, premature babies, people going through cancer treatments, and are always looking for more deserving people to give to.

How You Can Help

Knitters are invited to  help by providing much needed scarves, beanies, blankets and other knitted items and even if you don’t knit, you can donate yarn and needles to help knit items for people in need.You can ship it via UPS or other carrier to the address below.

Ship Donations To: Knit With Love.
                              32565 Golden Lantern, Suite B, # 190.
                              Dana Point, California 92629

  Knit With Love is committed to giving warmth through knitted items. With the support of many sponsors and supporters, are able to maximize the effect of every dollar received. Knit With Love is an all volunteer charity, and make every dollar count. If you’d like to make a financial donation information is on the web site.

The link to Knit with Love web site is: http://www.knitwithlove.org

If you have any questions about donating please email info@knitwithlove.org

The holiday season will soon be upon us, and although your knitting is needed all year round, there is a higher demand at this time of the year. During the Christmas season of 2008 and 2009, Knit With Love donated scarves, beanies, and blankets to children and adults staying in homeless shelters in downtown Los Angeles. They also donated knitted beanies to children in the Children's Hospital of Orange County who have cancer or other illnesses. Through the organization, StandUp For Kids, were also able to donate items to homeless youth in Louisville, KY and Seattle, WA.

If you know of a person in need, or a charity/organization that helps people, and you feel that Knit With Love can help by providing knit items, please contact them, they would love to help in any way possible. .  Help put a smile on a deserving person’s face today!.

 Are you’re looking for a way to use up your leftover yarn?
 Please help Lindsay and her team  and ‘Knit With Love’.

If you’d like a free knitting pattern ‘knitting for Charity’ please enter your email address in the box  provided at the end of this blog and I will email you a copy. (I promise to respect your privacy and will not pass your email address on to a third party )