Knitting for Charity: Easy, Fun and Gratifying

All you need to knit is a couple of needles and a skein or two of yarn. So, knitting is an inexpensive hobby... right? That's funny, isn't it?

Technically, knitting is an inexpensive hobby - unless you're addicted. You hard-core knitters know exactly what I'm talking about. We continually need more yarn for our stash. We need how-to-videos and knitting books. We need knitting patterns and the list goes on and on. This is what adds up. This is what makes knitting change from an inexpensive hobby to a pricey diversion.

If you fall into the 'addicted' category and can't seem to stop buying knitting pattern and instruction books - not to mention DVDs - today's newsletter is here to help. Break away from constantly buying knitting supplies, books, and patterns with help from today's free resources.

Posted by Kyla at 11:46 AM | Permalink

We all know how much I love finding other Baaad Girls who enjoy charity knitting. Of course, these girls are only bad in the sense that they use a lot of wool to help out the American Cancer Society... but 'bad girls' just has a better ring to it, doesn't it?

Baaad Girls is a super cool knitting charity because they offer a simple way to use up all those odds and ends we collect when we finish projects. Come on, be honest: if you're anything like me, you have at least a dozen tiny balls of yarn kicking around. They're too nice to get rid of, but truth is, they're pretty much useless.

That's where this charity comes in, giving you a way to help others and use up those scraps at the same time.

Posted by Kitty Doyle at 5:03 PM | Permalink

Do you ever knit for a knitting charity and wonder if it's doing any good? Is what you're knitting the right item? Does it meet their needs and specifications? At one time or another, all these thoughts probably run through your mind.

You want to knit for charity and have fun knitting things you like at the same time, but not at the risk that the charity doesn't really need your donations.

If you've worried about these things, check out today's articles and get tips and ideas for knitting for charity. Then, check the Featured Product section for a truly beautiful book about charitable giving.

My favorite quote from this book is:

Charity sees the need not the cause ~ German Proverb

I think that about says it all. When you choose to knit for charity, you have to look past why some of the people need help. You also have to get past judging. To truly give to those in need, you must look at the need not the cause. If you would like some fresh inspiration for your charitable knitting, check out this book - it's beautiful and sums up what charity is all about.

You must give some time to your fellow men. Even if it's a little thing, do something for others, something, for which you get no pay but the privilege of doing it.

~ Albert Schweitzer

Posted by Kyla at 11:33 AM | Permalink

Full disclosure: I am a sucker for socks. Knowing that I'm not alone, I polled my knitting friends to find out why socks are so popular. If you're yet unconvinced about the marvels of sock knitting, I hope these reasons convince you to give it a try. If you're an avid sock knitter yourself, I think many (if not all) of these reasons will have you nodding your head in agreement!

1. Portability: Everyone mentioned this! Most of us who love to knit enjoy taking our knitting wherever we go. With certain projects, this isn't practical. It's rather difficult to lug around a sweater or an afghan in the making! Socks, however, remain small from start to finish, so they're perfect for toting anywhere. Sock yarn is also suitable for travel, which you cannot always say for small projects like hats that may use bulkier yarns.

2. Economy: Sock yarn is usually reasonably-priced, although like any yarn, you can certainly find the Cadillacs and Rolls-Royces made of high-grade fibers that come with luxury price tags. But with sock yarn, you usually don't have to buy more than one ball to knit a pair. That's more than you can say for projects such as scarves, sweaters, and afghans!

3. Color: Sometimes we might shy away from the most exciting, vibrant colors of yarn for large-scale projects out of concern that it might be "too much." A sweater or blanket with brightly-colored stripes might not sit well with any but the most adventurous person. That's less of a concern when you're knitting socks because most of the time, we don't see them. So go ahead and knit those socks with the flashy neon self-pattern. It can be the wearer's little secret!

4. Sense of accomplishment: Knitting a sock isn't really that complicated, but there's something about completing one that makes you feel really clever. All the little tricks of sock knitting--like creating gussets, turning heels, creating heel flaps, using Kitchener stitch or a provisional cast-on--make you feel like you've created a bit of knitting magic. And you really have, haven't you?

5. Variety: Knitting socks can be as easy and simple as you want it to be, or as complex as you dare it to be. Some people like to use bare-bones sock "recipes" with variegated or self-striping or patterning yarns for variety and interest. Others prefer to use patterns with lots of cables, lace, and/or other kinds of designs with solid and/or multi-colored yarns. And some (like me) enjoy bouncing between basic and complex, depending on one's mood. With socks, you get multiple choice--or you can choose "all of the above."

Now, are you ready to knit socks? I think so!

Posted by Kyla at 11:24 AM | Permalink

Nettie & Friends is the newest knitting charity I've stumbled across. I instantly loved their mission: to help enrich learning for students by removing obstacles to success. Anyone with children in the school system can tell you that it's not just about pencils and books. Educators everywhere are coming to realize, more and more, that it's about educating the spirit and body as well as the mind.

That's why so many schools are focusing on the fine arts, on daily physical activity, and on making sure their students have a healthy breakfast and lunch. Nettie & Friends helps out wherever they need to and ensures that children at the Maxfield Learning Center, a special education program in St. Paul Public Schools, get the richest education possible.

Posted by Kitty Doyle at 4:58 PM | Permalink

To me, making more effective use of my knitting time, especially when I'm knitting for charity, is a worthy goal. We have just so many hours in a day and just so many dollars in our budgets. Sometimes my heart aches to fill every need I see. I want to warm every little pair of hands with mittens and cover every little head with a hat. If you're like me and love to knit for charity, you might wish you could do even more to fill your favorite charities' coffers.

That's why I know you'll be excited to hear that one of my favorite knitting websites, Patternworks, is joining forces with one of my favorite knitting charities, Warm Up America! Patternworks is collecting knitted and crocheted hats, scarves, and mittens and donating them to Warm Up America to distribute to needy men, women, and children all over the country. Their goal is to collect 2,000 of each item by September 2, 2011--just in time for the upcoming winter.

What I love most about this initiative is that Patternworks has promised that for every donated item knitted or crocheted using Plymouth brand's Encore Worsted yarn, they will make a monetary donation to Warm Up America! To me, that's a double donation. And that's a great use of your time.

Posted by Kyla at 11:05 AM | Permalink

While we have a multitude of ways to save on yarn, we may feel more stymied when it comes to saving on knitting needles. Recently, I've discovered a wonderful way to save on needles that save time as well.

Interchangeable circular needles are circular needles with detachable tips. The tips can be unscrewed from the cables when you want to use the same size tips with a different length of cable, and vice versa. The great thing about circular needles is that they can be used for both flat knitting and circular knitting. And if you use interchangeable needles, instead of buying separate needles in each size, you'll have them all at your fingertips (if you purchase a complete set) or you'll need purchase only a set of inexpensive tips or a cable (if you purchase them separately). It's a great way to save both time and money - two things we knitters can always use more of!

Posted by Kyla at 10:41 AM | Permalink

I love Kid Knits. It's an awesome charity I learned about recently. What makes it so great? The fact that a young girl founded it -- and it's all about knitting! We hear so much about the negative aspects of today's youth that it's wonderful to get a reminder that most kids really want to make a difference -- and some of them take more initiative about it than adults.

Posted by Kitty Doyle at 8:36 AM | Permalink

When it comes to knitting for charity, the elderly are often forgotten. Our elderly sit quietly alone in nursing homes, searching for any bright spot they can find in their day-to-day lives. One way you can brighten their lives, giving them warmth and comfort at the same time, is to knit for them.

When you donate your hand-knit items to the elderly, it shows them they haven't been forgotten. It shows them that someone knows they're still here. Why not take the time and add some projects for the elderly?

Easy ideas for hand-knit items that the elderly appreciated are lapghans and shawls. Both of these items are easy to make and warm the elderly as they sit in bed, a recliner or wheelchair.

Posted by Kyla at 10:31 AM | Permalink

Don't you just love seeing what other knitters are working on? When you join a knitting group, it's always fun to have the companionship and help that your knitting friends offer. But, one other perk to joining a knitting group or club is getting to see what everybody is knitting.

My favorite part of the group I teach knitting to is what I refer to as 'show and tell'. It's right when everyone starts showing up for class and each girl starts whipping out the projects she's been working on during the week. I love to see what they have accomplished that week and what new projects they've started on.

If you're like me and like to see what other knitters are busy creating, you'll love Today's Featured Website and the Featured Project. Get an inside view to the world of Hollywood knitting and check out what the stars are making.

Posted by Kyla at 10:16 AM | Permalink

When I first heard of Knitted Knockers, I thought, you've got to be kidding me. A charity that actually knits fake breasts? It just sounded too crazy to be real. But the more I've learned about Knitted Knockers, the more I've come to respect the work they're doing -- and for that reason, I absolutely had to share this amazing charity project with you.

Posted by Kitty Doyle at 10:35 AM | Permalink

Because we don't usually see them, it's easy to forget our animal friends in local shelters. Either lost or abandoned, these animals are very frightened as they find themselves locked up in lonely cages in an unfamiliar building away from their family.

You can do your part to help soothe these scared dogs and cats with your knitting. Local animal shelters are usually very happy to receive hand-knit items for the shelter. They've discovered that the animals adapt better and faster if they have a toy to play with or a blanket to snuggle into.

Local animal shelters are usually always strapped for funds so they can't provide these creature comforts themselves. That's where knitters come in. Knit up a few kitty beds, puppy pads, blankets, or even cat hammocks and make these frightened animals feel at home.

Posted by Kyla at 9:53 AM | Permalink

We knitters like to knit. As a matter of fact, we would like to spend all our time knitting. But... we can't. We all have to do our time in the kitchen. Regardless of whether you resent or relish the time you spend there, you can always make it better with knitting.

Now, you might think the kitchen and knitting don't have anything in common, but you're wrong. By using your knitting skills, you can spruce up your kitchen and make it downright snazzy.

Everything seems nicer when you surround yourself with pretty things. The problem? Affordable kitchen accessories are bland and boring. The answer? Knitting! Armed with free knitting patterns you can color coordinate your kitchen, decorate it in any style, and before you know it, you'll absolutely love spending more time in your kitchen - you might even want to knit while you're in there!

Posted by Kyla at 9:20 AM | Permalink