Do you enjoy making things for others? We do, too!
We’ve rounded up a collection of charitable organizations that would love to put your passion for knitting/crocheting to good use! All over the world, there are people who would benefit from the comfort and warmth of handmade items. Many of the projects are small and can be made up with your leftover scrap yarn or other odds and ends. Check out some of our favorite organizations below!
Snuggles Project – If animals are dear to your heart, the Snuggles Project project may be the choice for you. It is a program run by the Hugs Society nonprofit and provides handmade Snuggle blankets to animals in shelters who are in need of comfort and a home.
They are looking for knit, crochet, no-sew, or sewn/quilted blankets in sizes ranging from 14” x 14” for small animals/cats to 36” x 36” for large dogs. You can find a shelter to donate to from their Worldwide Shelter Directory or call your local shelter and ask if they accept blanket donations.
Alice’s Embrace – This non-profit organization is devoted to providing hand-knit and hand-crocheted prayer shawls and lap blankets to those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. They are specifically looking for volunteers to make blankets with the patterns they’ve created, which can be found here.
“We make deliveries to entire memory care facilities. If the facility has 20 residents, we bring 40 items. We really want each resident to be able to choose their own special gift. We place all of the Alice’s Embrace hand-crafted items on a large table….After they choose their gift, we write their name on the Alice’s Embrace label – that way they know it is theirs to keep.”
Diane Lewis, Founder of Alice’s embrace
Knit-a-Square – Changing the lives of vulnerable and/or orphaned children in South Africa, one square at a time! Blanket squares are 8” x 8” and can be knit or crocheted – you can send any number of squares you desire. Each blanket is assembled in South Africa by the gogos (grandmothers) using squares from dozens of different countries. When a child wraps themselves in that blanket, it is as if they are receiving a hug from the whole world 💕
The Magic Yarn Project – For children battling cancer, traditional wigs may be too scratchy for their sensitive scalps. Magic Yarn wigs are inspired by beloved Disney characters and invite play and imagination to these children during a scary time. This nonprofit organization is looking for donations of crocheted beanies which they style to resemble princesses, pirates, superheroes and many other characters! Because they style the wigs, they do have specific requirements for their donations, which you can find HERE.
If you’re looking for other opportunities to donate to people battling cancer, check out some of these:
- Crochet for Cancer (multiple chapters): https://crochetforcancer.org/donate/cap-donation-guidelines/
- Brave Beanies, the Jessie Rees Foundation (ship to CA): https://negu.org/beanies/
- Knots of Love (ship to WI, or multiple collection locations): https://www.knotsoflove.org/guidelines-for-knitters-and-knotters
- Heavenly Hats (ship to WI): https://heavenlyhats.org/
- Hats4Healing (ship to CT): https://www.hats4healing.org/get-involved/
- Hatsgiving (ship to NY, or multiple collection locations): http://www.hatsgiving.org/hats.html
Project Linus – The mission of this nonprofit is to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need. They have chapters in every state and distribute blankets locally. They have events throughout the year and opportunities for local volunteers in addition to their request for blankets!
Loose Ends – “Finishing projects loved ones left behind” – A handmade gift is priceless, and us crafters know intimately how much time and love goes into making something for friends and family. But what happens if someone passes away before they could finish their project? That is where Loose Ends comes in. They match projects with someone from their database of volunteer finishers to find a good fit based on geography, skill level, and preference. It can take some time before you are connected for a project, but the Sign Up is quick and we think this one is really worthwhile!
Knitting & Giving – This group provides hand knit or crocheted items to those in need at hospitals, homeless shelters, and more. They are based in Connecticut and hand deliver items locally as well as ship donation throughout the United States and abroad, wherever there is need. Here is their current list of items they are looking for.
Warm Up America! – Volunteers can donate their time to crochet and knit one or more 7″ x 9″ sections, as well as entire blankets and accessories. The 7″ x 9″ template was selected because it is a convenient size to form blankets of varying dimensions. WUA! blankets are distributed to individuals and families in need through community service organizations as well as through chapters of national organizations such as the American Red Cross.
Knit the Rainbow – There are over 500k homeless LGBTQ+ youth in the USA. Knit the Rainbow collects hand knit and crochet garments from volunteers across the country to provide scarves, beanies, gloves, socks, ear warmers, and sweaters/cardigans to these youth during the harsh winter months. You can mail/deliver your items to KtR or drop off your garment donation at one of their LYS partners.
Christmas at Sea – Run by The Seamen’s Church Institute, this program delivers knit gifts to the thousands of professional U.S. mariners at work aboard towboats, harbor tugs, and dredges during the cold winter months. Their selected patterns meet the needs of mariners working on the water in extreme conditions, harmonize with their work environment (and unique work attire), and conform to safety standards for clothing worn on board.
“We continue this crafting for a cause tradition as an expression of gratitude for all mariners do to make our modern way of life possible. Over 90% of everything we touch and feel comes to us over water. The men and women who make up the maritime industry embrace an atypical lifestyle, abounding with personal sacrifices. It’s a difficult lifestyle involving loneliness and isolation. It’s hard to be far away from family and friends for extended periods of time, especially during the holiday season.”
Joanne Bartosik, Senior Manager
For even more charities, we love Noble Knits’ list here: https://blog.nobleknits.com/knitting-charities
And if you live in the Pacific Northwest like us, here are some volunteer opportunities and donation sites in the greater Seattle are: http://loomknittinghelp.com/looms/topics/charity.html
Happy Crafting!