Charities to knit & crochet for
Are you looking to use your craft skills for good? Check out this list of fantastic charities you can make for!
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We know that lots of you are generous types, so we’ve rounded up eight great charities to knit & crochet for.
Knit for Peace
This is one of our favourite charities to craft for. In spite of the name, they also take crochet donations! Knit for Peace UK is an initiative of the Charities Advisory Trust. It grew out of projects we developed in Rwanda and India, which brought together women of traditionally hostile communities (Hutu and Tutsi war widows in Rwanda and Muslim and Hindu women in the slums of Delhi) to knit clothes for street children and orphans. They coordinate multiple donation drives every year, so there’s always a project you can get involved in.
Octopus for a Preemie
Research shows that the arms of the crocheted octopuses remind the little babies of the umbilical cord in their mums’ bellies and make them feel safer. There are local Facebook groups all over the world dedicated to coordinating collections of these cute gifts for local hospitals. To find your local group, search “octopus for a preemie” on Facebook, or check the list on www.mynomadhome.com where you can also find a pattern to make the octopus.
Knitted Knockers
Knitted Knockers is a UK charity which creates knitted and crocheted breast prostheses. Sometimes the silicone prosthesis which is provided by the NHS after a mastectomy or lumpectomy can cause pain and discomfort for patients. This charity provides lightweight, 100% cotton alternative that takes the form of a real breast and is soft against the skin and is breathable. If you want to volunteer as a crocheter or knitter, visit:
p/hop for MSF
P/HOP stands for PENNIES PER HOUR OF PLEASURE! This is a clever charity drive created by crafters to raise money for Medecins Sans Frontiers, also known as Doctors Without Borders. Generous designers have donated their time and knitting & crochet patterns to p/hop. These patterns are available for you on this website. Browse of our extensive range of patterns – there are over 65 to choose from – and when you find one you like, download it. You then make a donation to MSF based on how many hours of pleasure you’ll get from crocheting your p/hop pattern. There is no set price for a pattern; you can donate 50p or £50. It’s entirely up to you!
Sands Memory Boxes
Sands is the leading stillbirth and neonatal death charity in the UK. Sands exists to reduce the number of babies dying and to ensure that anyone affected by the death of a baby receives the best possible care and support for as long as they need it. As part of their work, Sands provides memory boxes for bereaved parents, including handmade blankets. Find all the details, including the pattern instructions and where to send your blankets at:
Twiddle Muffs
People with dementia often have restless hands and like to have something to keep their hands occupied. A twiddle muff provides a wonderful source of visual, tactile and sensory stimulation, and keeps hands snug and warm at the same time. Every twiddle muff is unique – you can use small scraps of different textured yarns and get really creative with it. Contact your local dementia care services to ask if they would be happy to receive some twiddle muffs.
Knit for Nowt
Knit-for-Nowt is a charitable service based in Yorkshire. It appeals to knitters for knitted, crocheted, or sewn hand puppets and "worry monsters", which are used by therapists to help children suffering from abuse, neglect, bereavement or other serious problems. There is a huge need for these. They are donated to Social Work teams and Children's therapists right across the UK. There are lots of patterns to follow and great information on the charity’s website.
KaS
Did you know that there are a staggering 140 million children who have been made orphaned, vulnerable or abandoned in the world today because of disease, war and poverty? Many as young as the age of 10 head up families of their own younger siblings, living alone without any support. They lack so much that we might take for granted – love, shelter, food, education, and warmth. Your love of knitting and crochet can provide the last item on the list. Since 2008, KaS have distributed more than 84,000 blankets, but there are millions more children and babies in need.
