Charity Knitting Abounds in Illinois
Cold weather doesn’t stop these warm hearts from helping with charity knitting
Charity knitting opportunities abound in Illinois. Whether it's the increased need due to the cold winter months or large numbers of knit-loving ladies shut in all winter. Whatever the case, this state is truly generous when it comes to knitting for charity.
Emanuel Congregation Knitting Ladies
Whether you have time to stop, visit, and knit for charity or you prefer to drop and run, check out the Emanuel Congregation Knitting Ladies group. Meeting in the church library on Tuesday mornings, they knit from 9:00am to 12:00 with a break for coffee. Don't have time for the meeting, they happily accept donations helping their charity knitting projects.
The ladies work on hats, scarves, mittens, baby afghans, baby booties, sweaters, and lapghans. Once the items get knit or donated, the ladies deliver them to St. Joseph's Hospital natal & rehab units or the Ark program for battered women at St. Gertrude Church. Renate Spiegel is the coordinator for the group.
Crafty Angels
This wonderful knitting group crafts hand-knitted gloves, scarves, mittens, afghans, prayer shawls and hand-made blankets to those in the neediest part of Chicago. They serve over 3,000 people by operating a food and clothing pantry to help them with nourishment, warmth and comfort.
The Crafty Angels accept donations year round as they prepare for the cold Chicago winters. They prefer items knit using acrylic, synthetic, or washable yarns so it's easier for the families to care for the items.
Any donation you knit is welcome. Send your donations to:
Crafty Angels
Edgebrook Covenant Church
6355 N. Spokane Ave.
Chicogo, IL 60646
c/o Christine Pokorny
Threads of Compassion
The Threads of Compassion group members survive of sexual violence. Their goal is to knit a scarf and give it to another victim of sexual violence when they enter the hospital for emergency treatment. This act of kindness lets victims know they are not alone, and a provides a caring connection with someone who experienced the same violence they were subjected.
Threads of Compassion chose scarves because of the simplicity to make. They wear them for comfort or drape easily seen for a reminder that the victim is not alone. Scarves are knit by survivors of sexual violence or made in honor of a friend or family member who suffered this abuse.
On the Threads of Compassion website, find easy knitting instructions and free patterns for scarves and shawls. Scarves do not have to be a specific color or size, but they request they equal at least five inches wide and 65" long. Please make the scarves with soft yarn. Once you complete your scarf, mail it to:
Threads of Compassion
920 W. Wilson Ave.
Chicago, IL 60640
contact: Threads of Compassion
Cozy Cuddles for Kids
Warm hands equal warm hearts, so the saying goes. But did you know children survive in the U.S. and can't afford warm hands on their cold walks to school? Cozy Cuddles is determined to correct this problem.
Kathi Quinn heads up Cozy Cuddles and accepts any hand-knit items that keep kids warm. So far, their donations include sweaters, hat & mitten sets, scarves, baby blankets, afghans, and vests. If you think a child will wear it -- knit it. Contact Kathi or 847-998-9950 for mailing instructions.
It's easy to get started with charity knitting with this list. If you live near these groups, drop in and say, 'Hi' and start helping with some knitting projects.
