Knitting Socks for Charity

Why knit socks?

Socks rank in the top ten of the most requested charity knitting items. Socks are warm, easy to make, and a serious problem in orphanages in cold countries around the world -- imagine a child in Russia wandering around in bare feet.

Better still, socks are fun to make and come in an endless variety of styles, colors, and patterns. Once you start to knit socks, you won't want to stop -- and once you get good at it, they work up quickly, too.

How to knit socks

Still, many people find the idea of knitted socks intimidating -- probably because they move away from the classic two needle configuration and use four smaller needles, which makes them seem like another world altogether.

The truth, though, is that knitting socks is pretty easy. Just find yourself a really good set of instructions on how to knit socks and follow it carefully to the end. You'll be amazed at how easy it is to whip up your first few pairs.

Where to find sock knitting patterns

If you're an experienced knitter, you already know how easy it is to find all sorts of knitting patterns. Try your local library, second hand stores (check the books and magazines especially), or even the yarn aisle of your local department store.

Better yet, stay online. Check out some of the many free sock knitting patterns on this site or browse your favorite search engine and have fun sorting through the results.

What to do with all those knit socks

When knitting socks for charity, you obviously need somewhere to send them once you're done. Fortunately, as I said, socks are in the top ten most requested knit items, so you shouldn't have any trouble finding a charity happy to accept them. Stuck for ideas?

Why not try donating charity knitting items to Russian orphans, or overseas knit socks for soldiers, or even a local diabetic knitting association.

Don't let the idea of socks intimidate you: knitting socks is fun, easy, and benefits thousands of people and charities around the world!