Knitting & Crochet Charities
Do you enjoy making things for others? Then why not knit for charity!
Choose from the list below to share your passion for knitting/crocheting and do something good for others that could really use your help!
Each one of these charities would appreciate your donation of knitting time and yarn to create blankets and garments for those in need. Many of the projects are small and a great way to use up odd balls and scrap yarn.
Note: Charities marked with ** help veterans and soldiers currently serving.
Afghans for Afghans - Your knitted or crocheted blankets, sweaters, vests, hats, mittens and socks will help provide comfort and warmth to Afghan women, men, and children. They continue to suffer from oppression, war, hunger, poverty, and sickness. You lovingly handmade item sends a message of hope and concern for your fellow human. Guidelines and info available in their site.
Alice’s Embrace - Alice's Embrace is a non-profit organization devoted to providing hand-knit and hand-crocheted prayer shawls and lap blankets to those suffering from Alzheimer's disease. They need volunteers to knit and crochet the patterns that we have created. Through the loving hands of many generous and talented people, this endeavor will help warm, comfort, and soothe these dear folks facing the daily challenges of the disease.
Binky Patrol - This organization has been accepting homemade blankets "binkies" for more than 14 years. Binkies can be sewn, knitted, crocheted, or quilted. Binkies are distributed to children born HIV+, drug-addicted, infected with AIDS or other chronic or terminal illnesses, those who are abused, in foster care or experiencing trauma of any kind.
Care2Knit - Provides hand knit and crocheted items such as scarves, lap shawls, hats and other related accessories to those in shelters, hospitals, nursing homes and hospices.
Chase the Chill - A charity that combines yarn bombing, art, and charity to raise awareness, lift spirits, and share knitted garments to those in need.
Hats 4 the Homeless - Knit or crochet hats, gloves, socks, and scarves to be donated to the homeless in Winter. The weekend before Christmas, these garments are handed out at St Frances Xavier's Soup Kitchen in New York City.
Knit-a-Square - Knitting something as simple as a knitted square can help create blankets for some of the 1.9 million children left orphaned in South Africa from the AIDS virus. They they need knitters and crocheters to create 8" squares, hats and garments. Free patterns available on their website.
Knitted Knockers - Knit soft and comfortable prosthetics for breast cancer survivors. Free “knockers” patterns available for knitters of all skill levels.
Knitting and Giving - This charity provides warm hand knit or crocheted items to those in need. Your hand knitted gifts will be donated to hospitals, homeless shelters and to others in need across the United States and abroad. There is "Call for Items" page on their website that specifies the types of knitted garments needed.
Knit Big for Little Lungs - Donate your knitting or crocheting time to create blankets, hats, booties, and more for babies in NICUs at hospitals countrywide. Visit their website for a “knit kit” to get started - includes free patterns.
Knit Your Bit ** - Helps honor WWII veterans by creating scarves to keep them warm. Many distributed at VA centers. Lots of free scarf patterns available on their website.
Knots of Love - Knit or crochet for men, women, children, and veterans going through chemo. You can help by making hats or blankets.
Mother Bear Project - Hand knit or crocheted bears provide comfort and hope to children affected by HIV/AIDS in emerging nations. Knit adorable bears for these kids!
Operation Gratitude ** - Sends care package to US troops. Desperately needs knitted scarves, hats, and cool ties for service men and women.
Pink Slipper Project - Create slippers to warm the hearts and toes of women and children living in shelters. Slippers can be knitted, crocheted, stitched with a sewing machine or by hand. Free patterns are available.
Project Linus - Provides security through blankets for seriously ill and traumatized children, ages 0-18. Many free patterns to knit, crochet, or sew blankets. Become a "blanketeer" and help a child in need.
The Ships Project ** - The Ships Project sends handmade hats and slippers to Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines deployed across the world in the War on Terror. Free patterns to knit, crochet or sew available on their website.
The Snuggles Project - Provides blankets for small animals, cats, and dogs in animal shelters worldwide. Free patterns to knit, crochet, or sew the blankets are on their website.
Socks for Soldiers ** - Love to knit socks? Knit a pair for a soldier serving far from home to let him/her know someone is thinking of him/her.
Soldiers' Angels ** - Helps our Veterans by making and sending lapghans (blankets), hats, scarves, trach/stoma bibs, catheter bag covers, ditty bags, wheelchair/walker totes and slipper socks to VA medical facilities around the country.
Warmth for Warriors ** - Knit or crochet hats for US soldiers serving across the globe.
Warm Up America - Focused on neighbors helping neighbors, Warm Up America takes your donated knitted or crocheted squares to create afghans. Also accepts hats and other knitted garments. Visit their website for details.
Wildlife Victoria - Ultimate kangaroo care! Knit or sew pouches for orphaned joeys. Visit the How You Can Help page of the website.
World War II National Museum ** - Knit Your Bit or Crochet Your Bit collection and distributes hand knits scarves to veterans.
