Charity

Charity projects
We found very early on in the existence of Knitting Circle Armstrong that the members were very eager to knit items for those less fortunate. Even at our very first meeting we discussed the possibilities for charity projects. Every community has organizations that welcome and need knitted goods. There are also many project ideas that work well as donated items.

Warm blankets

There are many different charity projects our group could have started with but blankets were decided on. We determined that creating a blanket was simple enough that all of our members regardless of skill level could participate. We also knew that our neighboring city of Vernon had at least four if not more places that desperately needed community support. These included the Salvation Army, the Upper Mission Homeless Shelter, the Women’s Shelter and Howard House. See Charities for more organizations who take knitted goods and for project ideas.

We started by using our own left over yarn and a variety of needle sizes to create eight inch by eight inch squares. Some of our group migrated from knitting to crocheting as it seemed easier and faster for them. Everyone enthusiastically added eight inch squares to the collection. Each person was able to express their personality by creating their own pattern or using their choice of yarns. Before we knew it it was time to put them together.

One of our members volunteered to crochet all the squares together. Our first blanket had the windowpane effect created by crocheting it together with black. After the first blanket we decided to sew the remaining together so that more than one person could help put the blankets together. After blanket number five one of our members came up with the idea of creating eight inch strips instead of eight inch squares. This idea was welcomed by those who were painstakingly sewing squares together. We designed a log-cabin blanket inspired by the log-cabin quilting method. It turned out splendidly.

Kilometers of caring

“There is much more than just time that goes into each blanket and it shows. Kilometers of Caring is what we fondly refer to our hand made blankets as each is made up of forty-eight, eight-inch squares and uses almost two kilometers of yarn, and of course an abundance of love. Each blanket is a unique tapestry of colors and geometric patterns and designed to brighten someone's day.” The above is taken from an article submitted to our local paper along with a photo of our members giving blankets to the Women’s Shelter.

Public pitches in

Now to the best part of this charity project. We let the public know that we were making blankets to donate to worthy organizations. We also let them know how they could help us. They could send us eight inch squares or send us left over yarn. We spoke with the owner of the local yarn store and she agreed to be a depot for us. As well our own Chamber of Commerce - where we meet - was willing to collect yarn for us. We were surprised how many individuals had extra yarn and were willing to donate to a good cause. Bags of beautiful yarn came rolling in.

Also do not discount that fact that many knitters want to help but cannot come to your circle. We have a number of homebound knitters that are making squares for us. Some knitters live hundreds of miles away. We always keep in touch with them via our newsletter and emails.

Pointer: Always weave your need for yarn into your promotions.

Return to Circle Basics