eParenting is supported by our readers. When you purchase through a link on this page, we may earn commission.
Image Credit: © eParenting.co.uk
If you are an enthusiastic knitter you will be pleased to know that you can help people with your favourite hobby - by knitting for charity.
You will love the chance to use your knitting (or crochet or sewing) skill to help a charity, a good cause or for hospitals, particularly making clothing, toys and blankets for premature babies.
Lots of the charities which need your knitted items provide free patterns for the clothing, toys and blankets that they need you to knit for them. This helps the charity; you can knit them the exact item that they need and you know that you are giving them the exact knitted item that they need!
Before you start knitting for any charity do please always check the latest information and confirm that they can use the item that you need.
Bliss is the charity for babies born sick or premature and they need knitted baby clothes.
They have free knitting patterns for premature babies in hospital on their website of the baby clothes that they need on a regular basis. Items that they need include baby jackets, tiny booties, blankets, teddies and hats.
Knit For Peace will accept any knitted goods and they have a big collection of suggested patterns for you to use, which include hats for premature babies, booties, easy jumper patterns and some really cute toy patterns.
They have also published a book of patterns for charity knitting called Knitting for Peace: Make the World a Better Place One Stitch at a Time .
The generous people at Knitting By Post have the sweetest collection of free toy knitting patterns for charity, with everything from Christmas decorations, Easter chicks, fish and rainbows to teddys and dollies and even a tiny coronation crown pattern!
All the charity knitting patterns are designed to be simple enough for beginners and they are the perfect stash busters to use up all those odds and ends of yarn that we all collect.
A central contact point for charities who send teddies to children in need around the world. 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. The ask you to use their own pattern, as all the teddies need to be a specific size.
UK Hand KnittingĀ is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to promoting hand knitting and associated yarn crafts, and supporting independent retailers.
They have a collection of knitting patterns including charity knitting patterns for babies and for specific items requested by chariities. Some of the patterns available here are required for specific campaigns which have a time limit, so check closing dates before you start casting on!
Simba is a charity which supports those who have experienced the death of a baby. Knitters can help by making items for memory boxes.
The website has patterns for those looking for charity knitting patterns for babies including suitable blankets and toys, and you can find out their current requirements by following their Facebook group
Knit picks have a free downloadable e-book of patterns suitable for charity donation, including baby hats, baby blankets and patterns for both knitters and crochet.
Francis house is a hospice in Manchester which cares for children with life limiting conditions. They have an annual campaign where they ask you to knit or crochet a chick cosy for a small Easter egg such as a Cadbury's Creme Egg or a Caramel Egg.
The pattern is on the website along with an equally adorable pattern for an Easter Bunny with patterns for both knitting and crochet.
The Big Knit is all about combating loneliness in older people by raising money for Age UK, who provide activities at their local centres or with a phone call to a housebound person.
There are over 30 patterns for the little hats to go on bottles of innocent drinks, from the most basic easy pattern to some quite challenging ones. There are new patterns every year or you can create your own little knitted masterpiece!
You have probably heard about the enormous benefits that premature babies get from crocheted octopuses. Here you can download 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.
Find a Facebook group for your country for current requirements and details on where to send your Octopus.
Love knitting have a quick and easy pattern by Carissa Browning for a preemie hat which is free to download. There are 5 different designs to choose from.
This pattern is perfect for using up those odds and ends of yarn that we knitters accumulate so easily!
Oxfam are the original charity to request knittedc items and are delighted to recieve hand knitted goods in their shops to sell both in their shops and at festivals.
In particular they like 6' x 4' blankets which are really popular at festivals. They have patterns on their site for items including hats (by big name designer Kim Hargreaves), gloves and scarves to sell. The blankets you can make to your own design!
Animal lovers wil want to have a go at the quick, easy and really cute Captain Cat Battler pirate mouse cat toy design, originally made for Battersea Cats & Dogs Home.
They would also be welcomed by the Cat's Protection League. They are great for keeping cats happy while they wait to be rehomed.
LCGB have a pattern for a knitted breast which is used as a teaching aid for breastfeeding mothers.
You can make them in any yarn and any fun colour you like, and any size will be useful. There is also now a crochet version of the pattern available as well.
Interweave have a collection of 5 patterns for hats, blankets, wraps, and stuffed toys suitable for donations to various good causes for anyone who wants to find free charity knitting patterns.
If you want some more ideas for things to knit for charity here are 7 Superfast Things To Knit In An Evening For Charity.