If you’re looking for a home for your creations, there are several charities for knitters and crocheters that would love to have them. Whether you are considering giving of your talent, your time, or your stash, there’s an organization for that!
Charities for Knitters & Crocheters
Warm Up America!
WUA! provides warmth to those in need. To date, they have donated hundreds of thousands of afghans! Their work began decades ago with one woman’s idea to collect 7″ x 9″ sections from many knitters and assemble them into full-sized afghans.
You can still donate your 7″ x 9″ piece, but WUA! also hold campaigns when special needs arise. Current needs include complete afghans, scarves, hats, gloves, and mittens.
You can also make monetary donations, which assist with shipping. A gift of $25 will ship 192 hats and scarves!
Knitted Knockers
Have you heard of this cheeky charity? Consider knitting soft, lightweight breast prosthetics for women who have undergone mastectomies, lumpectomies, radiation, and/or reconstruction. They are provided free of cost to women who request them.
The website provides patterns and guidance videos for both knitted and crocheted knockers.
Knitted Knockers also accepts monetary donations, which offset the cost of shipping (about $10/pair).
Mother Bear Project
The Mother Bear Project provides comfort and hope to children affected by HIV/AIDS in emerging nations, providing them with handmade teddy bears.
Patterns are available for purchase for $5 (+$2 if outside the US). Creators sign a tag and return the completed bear. Mother Bear Project attaches a red felt heart to each bear before shipping it.
Bear sponsorships are available ($10) as well as Mother Bear gifts, which cover the cost of bears and shipping.
Make a bear, make a difference!
Operation Gratitude
Operation Gratitude provides individually addressed care packages to military and first responder heroes. The packages include snacks, entertainment, handwritten letters, and handmade items.
Volunteers are needed to create scarves and hats and paracord bracelets. Younger, less crafty volunteers can write letters. Handmade items are in greatest need in early October; this gives the organization time to package and ship for the holidays.
You can also make a donation: $15.00 ships one care package!
Charities for Yarnies
The Magic Yarn Project
This organization has delivered over 25,000 wigs to children who have undergone chemotherapy. The soft yarn used is a welcome change from traditional wigs on sensitive scalps.
Though the patterns are all crochet, there are still opportunities to help if that isn’t your craft. You can still cut and bundle yarn or host a yarn drive for your local chapter, or make a donation.
Charities for Knitting Teachers
Project Knitwell
Project Knitwell isn’t looking for knitted items; it’s looking for knitters! The mission of this organization is to share knitting knowledge, providing a tool to help people cope with stressful situations.
They provide knitting classes to 5 schools and camps, 8 hospitals and medical centers, and 9 community sites, supporting those facing housing insecurity, poverty, cancer, pregnancy and child loss, and more.
If you’re a Northern Virginia local, apply to volunteer. (Note that non-knitters can help, too!) If you aren’t nearby, you can still shop to support Project Knitwell or make a donation to support their programs.
A Note on Local Charities
Many folks believe that the best charity is the one in your proverbial backyard. If you do, too, then the best place for you to start may be on a community Facebook group or local organization.
My son attends preschool at a church with a shawl-knitting ministry. I live minutes from this church, have knitted for decades, and didn’t know it existed until I enrolled him! Ask a neighbor, friend, or fellow knitter if they’ve heard about any local needs and you’re sure to find charities for knitters and crocheters near you.
If you still need help, Guidestar is a great resource. It provides a directory of charities you can sort by location, purpose, or keyword.
