Knitting for Charity: Throw a Party!
Looking for more than shipping off items? Try knitting for charity with an old fashioned party
You all know how I love knitting for charity, but sometimes I get bored of the same old routine. You knit the items, ship them off, sit back with a sense of a job well done. Great. Wow.
Actually, it is pretty great, and very rewarding, too. But sometimes I get bored and start thinking of different ways to practice knitting for charity. That's why my knitting circle and I decided to hold the first annual silent auction knitting shindig -- and it was a massive success!
So without further ado, here's what we did -- and how you can have your own fantastic party while raising money for others and knitting, too. Does it get any better?
Throw a party
This only works if you have a group of charity knitters, but it's the most fun way I know to raise money for any charity, whether it's your local humane society or an overseas mission. And the best part is you don't have to worry about whether they accept knitted donations, because this one is all about raising money.
Get your knitting for charity group together and have each person pledge to knit a set number of items for a silent auction (note: it's best to avoid sweaters or other clothing that might only fit one size). Pick a date and invite everyone you can think of. At the party, set up a silent auction where people can bid on your hand knit items (with, of course, all proceeds going to charity).
Other ideas to help you out:
--Get a local organization (such as a church, business, or group of families) to pledge to match each dollar you raise
--Have everyone in your group knit one square for an afghan. Sew it together and hold a raffle for it at the end of the night.
--Get your knitting for charity group to cater the party, too. You can even use knitting themed food if you like, or pick a theme related to the charity.
You can get as crazy or as tame as you like. Your knitting for charity event could take place in a church basement, someone's living room, or a rented hall. You can recruit entertainers (there are often local groups eager for publicity happy to perform for free -- we had bellydancers...). Basically, your imagination is the only limit.
Believe me, there's nothing quite as much fun as knitting for charity with a special shindig!
