Avid knitters all eventually face the same dilemma: what if no one you know wants or needs another scarf – least of all, yourself? What if your kids have outgrown the desire to wear your hand-knit wares, and your own closet is bursting? There is no need to put the knitting needles down! In fact, there is a burgeoning world of charity knitting to explore. The pleasure of charity knitting is that you treat yourself to a favored hobby, while doing something good for someone in need.
Free knitting patterns abound for charity projects; you just need to identify your cause of choice. One of the more popular charity projects is making blankets for children in poor nations. There are few things to keep in mind if you choose to participate in making blankets or blanket pieces for charity.
To begin, you don’t even need to be a knitter to get involved. Get some felting supplies and some wool sweaters from the thrift shop; then, simply cut them into squares to felt. Keep your ears open for friends and family who are donating wool sweaters, and suggest that they donate them to your cause. Another advantage to felting sweaters is that it takes less time than actual knitting!
For those who prefer not to felt sweaters, and instead prefer to knit, there are several options. Some charities accept full blankets, and others accept squares that are later knitted together. Charities often have size requirements to make sure that the recipients get the size they need. Unless otherwise directed, try to restrict the yarn you use to wool and heavy wool blends. Those receiving blankets often live out of doors, and are often near open flame. Acrylic and other synthetic yarns have the potential to melt in these circumstances. Wool is also resistant to moisture, and has anti-bacterial properties. It is an ideal yarn for charity knitting.
Of course, there are other charity knitting options. Blanket and blanket squares are only several among many options for charity knitting. Charities accept hats, sweaters, vests, and other garments for donation. The most important aspect of charity knitting is to choose a cause for which you have passion and a project for which you have enthusiasm. By integrating these two things, you have the drive to finish many projects, bringing great amounts of joy.
