Knitting For Charity 2023
Do you want to knit, crochet or sew for charity? Maybe the only place you heard of knitting for is Oxfam?
Well, there are lots more charities, local, national and international that need your help, whether you knit, crochet or sew.
Could you could knit a hat for a premature baby, crochet a blanket or even knit a toy teddy? Many of them also offer free knitting patterns that you can use to make your items.
If you know of a charity which needs knitted, crocheted or other hand-crafted items, please Contact Us so that they can be added to this list.
Charity Knitting in the UK
Here are the charities in the UK which need knitted, crocheted or sewn items.
Prima Magazine have launched a new campain for winter 2022 called Get Britain Knitting. They have teamed up with Knitting For Peace and are asking people to knit or crochet blankets, scarves and jumpers.
Knit For Syria are asking for warm clothes to give to people who have been displaced by the war in Syria, and to children in hospitals in Syria. The items required include jumpers, scarves, blankets and teddy bears.
The Big Knit will return in 2023. The Big Knit raises money for Age UK by asking you to knit little hats for Innocent drinks bottles. There are some amazing patterns on the Big Knit website along with patterns suitable for beginners. Or you can design your own, so get creative!
The patterns are available permanently so you can knit hats all year round and save them for the next campaign.
Bliss is the charity for babies born sick or premature and they need knitted baby clothes. They have free downloadable patterns on their website of the baby clothes that they need. Items that they need include baby jackets, tiny booties, blankets, teddies and hats.
Knit for Peace are running a campaign called Keep Britain Warm where they are asking you to knit squares which can be sewn together into some rather funky dressing gowns as an alternative to blankets. It's a super simple idea that still just requires simple squares which can then be sewn together. You can send them either squares or completed dressing gowns.
Octopuses for Preemies is the UK branch of an organisation to provide crocheted octopuses for premature babies. The tentacles are comforting for the children, as it reminds them of the umblical cord which they will have played with in the womb.
Octopuses should be crocheted in 100% cotton so that they can be washed at high temperatures. This is the octopus pattern in English with UK Crochet notation. The pattern is also available in Danish, Italian and Spanish as well as US crochet notation.
The Donkey Sanctuary, based in Sidmouth, Devon, need donations of knitted donkeys to sell in their gift shop to raise funds for the sanctuary. Visit their website to register your interest in donating a knitted donkey.
Oxfam no longer send knitted tops or blankets abroad due to the cost of transporting the items. If you want to knit blankets they will accept them as they are very popular to sell at music festivals such as Glastonbury. Sewers could also make bunting which is becoming increasingly popular with fans of vintage style. Oxfam also accept hand knitted goods to sell in their shops in the UK and have some patterns on their website for items that will go down well.
Teddies for Tragedies are a central contact point for charities who send teddies to children in need due to war or natural disasters. Contact them to find a local collecter for your knitted teddies, or if you are a charity who would like to send teddies to children. They offer their own pattern, as teddies need to be a specific size.
FREE LEGO Life Magazine Perfect for kids aged 5-9, this printed magazine is sent directly to your home four times a year - completely free of charge. Sign up NOW!Bonnie Babies sends premature baby outfits and blankets to special care baby units around the UK and to parents who need support.
Algerian Action provide clothing and toys to needy children aged between 0-12 and ‘baby packs’ to mothers who have nothing for their new-borns. They are also collecting 5" knitted or crocheted squares.
Volunteering Matters (Formerly Community Service Volunteers) Volunteer knitters attend their local knitting groups where they can purchase low cost wool and other decorative goods, and sit down for a knit and a natter. Some groups even provide transport for knitters who may not be able to get around so easily.
Cuddles UK supports families who have lost a baby to still birth or miscarriage and need clothes and blankets for the tiny babies. There are patterns and information on the website and a running totals of the items donated each month.
Ray of Hope ask you to send patterns, to knit for your local hospital or to help Leighton Hospital, Crewe Cheshire, UK. They have patterns, news about charity knitting and message boards for knitters.
Project Linus UK Named after the Snoopy character who famously went nowhere without his blanket, Project Linus aims to provide a sense of security and comfort to sick and traumatised babies, children and teenagers through the provision of new home made patchwork quilts and knitted / crocheted blankets.
Simba is a charity that supports women who have lost babies either during the pegnancy or at birth. They need knitted goods to create memory boxes, and have free patterns for blankets, teddies and hats.
Many civic and church organisations will also have their own links with groups that accept knitted items to send to local hospitals or overseas. You could also try contacting your nearest volunteer bureau to see if they have any requirements.
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Knitted Breasts
Did you know that knitted breasts are really useful?!
There are two ways that they can help; Firstly, midwives and hospital maternity units use them to help new mothers learn how to breastfeed their baby. Get in touch with your local hospital to find out if there is a need for these in your area. Knitted breasts for lactation can made using this pattern provided free by Lactation Consultants of Great Britain (LCGB) and they can be either knitted or crocheted in any colour you like!
The charity Knitted Knockers is a US based charity with groups around the world that make knitted prosthetic breasts for people who have had mastectomies or lumpectomies. Knitted Knockers UK is their UK group. Knitted Knockers make each item to order, and so need skilled knitters who can make an item to a high standard with specially selected materials supplied by the charity. You can apply to be one of their knitters on the website.
Charity Knitting in the US
Knitting & Giving Connecticut based charity group that has been established to provide warm hand knit or crocheted items to those in need. They deliver donated items to local hospitals, homeless shelters, and more, as well as ship donations to those in need throughout the United States and abroad.
Snuggles Project This charity asks you to donate a little of your time and your leftover scraps of yarn or fabric to make snuggles for your local humane societies and animal shelters. Crochet, knit, quilt or sew cloth blankets.
Charity Knitting in South Africa
The Ruth Mailbag Group who have been knitting baby items for "fish and chips" premature and newborn babies has sadly closed and are no longer able to accept knitted items.
Knit-a-Square South African charity that asks you to knit squares 8" X 8" which they will then sew together into blankets for children, particularly in Africa. They also have patterns for a square vest, a hat, toys and a roomy pullover for children, all of which they would appreciate donations of.
In a hurry? Here are 7 superfast things that you can knit for charity in just an evening.
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