Crochet for Charity
A few week's ago, the subject for Yarn Tales Tuesday covered I Love Yarn Day, which is the second Friday of October. And that means this week! Crafters of all kinds celebrate this day in many different ways, from yarn bombs and putting sweaters on statues, to yarn parties or just wearing a yarn related item. My favorite thing to do is create and inspire others to craft for charity.
Some crafters are short on time or money, or don't know of a charity they could donate to. If there is any reason you don't donate to charity, keep all of these ideas in mind:
- If you're short on time, but not money, many organizations have groups of crafters already creating for them, and they can use donations of yarn and yarn accessories instead of handmade items.
- If you're on a low budget, seek out charities asking for small items. A few of the organizations listed below are looking for simple keepsakes or ornaments that can be made with scraps.
- Consider organizing a group of your own. Maybe you can't afford to, or don't have the time to complete a whole blanket for a donation. Do you know other crocheters in the same predicament? Get together to work scraps into squares or motifs for an afghan. If you don't have any crocheting or knitting acquaintances, seek a charity asking for donations of squares.
- Sometimes an item doesn't have to be pretty to be useful for someone in need. Maybe you don't have matching yarn scraps, but you have enough to make an afghan. What about that sweater that looked better in the pattern picture than it does on you? Or how about those slippers that are too big because you didn't check your gauge before you made them? A homeless or needy person won't care what color a warm blanket is, they will just be happy that someone cared enough to help them stay warm. And those items that don't fit you well will probably fit someone else, instead of collecting dust and never being worn. Check out the link below for Ugly Quilts for the Homeless.
This is my way to celebrate I Love Yarn Day: I'm providing you with some suggestions for charity items, where to donate them, and some links to help you get started, too. If you have a charity you already prefer to donate to, don't be shy! Share information or a link in the comments section to let others know about your favorite charity.
First, here's a few of my own patterns which would be useful as donations:
- The Angel Decoration can be used as an ornament, decoration, bookmark, and more. This makes a good donation for religious organizations looking for keepsake items to distribute.
- The "Bobble and Chain" baby blanket can be made in neutral or boy's colors too! Without the ruffled edge, this pattern still measures large enough for a standard size baby blanket. Made with Caron One Pound, this blanket is machine washable, dryer safe, and so full of texture and softness. One Pound yarn is a great value and is available in a large variety of colors. The "bobbles" in this blanket are actually single crochet clusters.
- With the pattern for this Sports Team Afghan, you can chose the size of blanket to create. Pattern includes sizes twin through king, plus baby blanket and throw sizes. This blanket would look beautiful in any complementing or contrasting color scheme.
- Sports Team Scarf 1 and Sports Team Scarf 2 are both great unisex patterns that can be made in any colors. Scarf 1 is a shorter scarf using a single crochet "bobble" (cluster) to create a funky ripple, and Scarf 2 combines a rib stitch block and a basket weave block that can be made in multiple colors with scraps.
- The Windowpane scarf, hat and glove set work up quickly and can be made with any worsted yarn. Links are in the pattern for the gloves and hat. For a more challenging pattern, the Pink Lemonade Scarf, using filet crochet and a modified lacet, is a bit fancier and can be worn by women or girls.
- These Men's Fingerless Mitts can be worn over a regular pair of gloves for extra warmth and are super-simple to make.
- The Love Knot Earwarmer Headband would make a great donation as a chemo cap, or to a women's shelter. Made with oh-so-super-soft Woolike by Loops and Threads, the pattern uses less than 25% of a skein. You can make quite a few of these for very little cost.
Most of these patterns are for warmth or comfort for a certain individual. Even if your favorite organization or charity has no need for crochet donations, you can still sell your projects to raise funds for donation.
You can also contact your local religious organization, hospital, shelters or community outreach programs to find ways your handmade yarn items could help.
As with charities, if you have a link to a free pattern that would make a good charity gift, feel free to share that in the comments section, too.
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Although many charities are glad to have donations of any kind, there are a few things to remember:
- Always check with a charity before making a donation. Some will schedule a time for you to make a drop off, and many need your information and/or the details about the donation you are making.
- Keep in mind the material you are using. Animal fibers and rough acrylics can be irritating to babies' skin, and many people are allergic to natural fibers. Some charities ask you to only use a specific yarn, and many have a list of acceptable materials.
- Include information about your project with your donation. Does it need to be hand-washed? Is it safe for the dryer? What is it made of? Check your yarn label to copy the details, or even provide the label with the donation.
- Nobody wants a project to unravel. Never tie your yarn in a knot. Weave in your ends securely, especially for babies, children and animals. If you aren't great at weaving in ends or you just dislike doing it, consider a charity like the one listed below that wants you to leave tails loose for them to assemble.
The following is an assortment of charitable organizations in need of your handmade items. Many accept donations of materials or money as well as knitted, crocheted, or sewn projects. Some need knitters, crocheters and quilters to assemble items for them.
- Afghans for Angels:
A volunteer organization seeking both supplies and finished blankets. These blankets are donated to parents who have recently suffered the loss of a child through miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death.
I would like to provide the website of the main headquarters for you, but the links didn't work for me. This links to the chapter for my home state. The links for other chapters did work on this site, so you can find a local group.
or,
- Heartmade Blessings:
A worldwide group of volunteers providing hand-crafted items to people suffering a loss or tragedy as a reminder that someone cares. Looking for donations of squares to assemble, they ask you follow their guidelines. These guidelines are mostly to assure proper assembly, and as a bonus, they ask that you leave your ends loose. That's great for those of you who don't enjoy weaving in ends or assembling squares.
You can contact them or find more information through links on the site.
- The Snuggles Project:
A project of Hugs for Homeless Animals that provides comforting items to shelter animals.
This link will provide you information about what can be donated and how. The site also offers patterns for Snuggles and items for sale.
- Knots of Love:
Seeking monetary donations and knit or crocheted caps, blankets and more for chemo patients and others with life-threatening diseases.
With this link you can get a PDF form for yarn requirements and a submission form for finished items, along with a downloadable shipping label.
- Miracles Happen:
Provides a variety of baby items for new mothers.
Here is the link for this organization's PDF brochure, which will provide you with the basic information of what they are looking for and some guidelines,
or you can visit the website.
- Project Linus:
A non-profit organization providing handmade blankets to children in need, from 0-18 years of age. They accept knitted, crocheted, and sewn blankets, as well as monetary donations and materials.
- Ugly Quilts for the Homeless:
This organization provides you with the pattern for the "Ugly Quilt" pattern, a sleeping bag made of recycled materials. This group is also looking for all kinds of donations to benefit the homeless, from hats, mittens, and scarves to toiletry items.
- Warm Up America:
This charity works with community organizations and the Red Cross to provide blankets to those in need. Donations are distributed to a variety of shelters, homes, medical facilities and churches.
They also accept any sort of item which will help a person stay warm.
- Lion Brand Yarn:
This company's website will help you search for a charity based on your location and the type of charity.
There is a ton of charities out there in need of your help, all over the world! If you have a favorite charity that accepts handmade donations and you would like to help get the word out, don't forget to provide a link or some information in the comments section below.
And don't forget that you don't have to seek out a specific charity to make someone's life warmer or brighten their day. The struggling single mother you know at work, the elderly couple down the road on a fixed income, or anyone suffering a loss or going through a hard time can benefit from your work.
And don't forget that you don't have to seek out a specific charity to make someone's life warmer or brighten their day. The struggling single mother you know at work, the elderly couple down the road on a fixed income, or anyone suffering a loss or going through a hard time can benefit from your work.
Have a happy I Love Yarn Day!
Use it to make somebody else's life happier.
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