Knitters are known for their charity, and more than half of our audiences regularly donates items to great causes.
But the holiday season brings with it a reminder to bless those around us. So let’s look at a few charities our readers have recommend, along with a few of our own top picks.
If you’re looking for a place to donate knitted items or even money, these 5 non-profits are a good place to start.
Recommended by Deb Lorah
While not truly a charity, www.craftingchange.org is a hub for existing charities to add their needs, be it knitting, crocheting, or sewing. Crafters can view the site, find out what needs are out there that use the crafters best talents, and make the items. Crafters can mark the website with the items they are committing to submit. This way the charity is not overwhelmed with one item when they really need something else.
“Crafting Change has patterns attached to each charity’s site which makes it very handy for crafters to have a good idea of what works best for the charity.”
Christmas at Sea
This program is one of the longest running knitting charities in the U.S. It provides hand made goods to mariners working along the Mississippi River and Gulf Coast.
It can be quite lonely working long stretches at sea, and this organization help to make the holiday season a little more merry.
Every gift is hand-made, and for international seafarers, most arrive in a hand-sewn ditty bag. Knitted gifts to U.S. mariners on boats are delivered in boxes containing handcrafted Christmas cards often created by school children.
Knitted Knockers
Recommend by Tove Cravens
Knitted Knockers are special handmade breast prostheses for women who have had breast cancer and undergone mastectomy or lumpectomy. Traditional breast prosthetics can be hot, heavy and sticky. They typically require special bras or camisoles with pockets and can’t be worn for weeks after surgery. Knitted Knockers are soft, comfortable, beautiful and when placed in a regular bra they take the shape and feel of a real breast. Plus that are provided FREE to those requesting them.
“I’m constantly amazed to learn how many have never heard of it and am currently in the process of attracting knitters to start a local group here in KATY, TX.”
Knots of Love
Since 2007 Knots of Love has been providing free knit and crochet hats to those undergoing chemotherapy. They also provide hats and blankets to babies in the NICU.
With more than 600,000 items donated its no wonder this was named one of the top charities of 2023 by GreatNonProfits!
Operation Christmas Child
Recommended by Carol Yunkin
This is a faith based charity that sends shoe box sized care packages to children around the world. More than 200 million kids have received toys, hygiene items, and school supplies through the organization.
“I love making everything knitted for kids. Hats, scarves, socks, mittens, toys, drawstring bags, doll clothes, headbands, slippers. The list is endless and I can use my smaller quantities of leftover yarns to make really cute things.”
What about you?
Do you have a favorite charity you like to donate to?
Hit reply and let us know!
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