Giving to charity is one of the great things about being a knitter or crocheter. We make things that can really help people, all the while putting love and good wishes into each stitch. The blankets, hats, scarves, and other items we make are cherished by the recipients, and we can pass our love of craft along to help others.

Kelley recently interviewed Barbara McLean, who is a champion for Project Linus (more about that below) and other charities. She received the Presidential Medal of Honor for her charity work, and we're so lucky to have her in our neck of the woods!

Check out the interview, and the charity knitting ideas below! You can also view it on Youtube.

Project Linus

Project Linus is a national nonprofit organization that provides love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer “blanketeers.”

Regional chapters donate blankets to area hospitals and fire stations, as well as national projects such as Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, an organization that provides for spouses, parents and children survivors of fallen soldiers.

Any type of blanket pattern works for Project Linus; they help babies and children, so larger blankets are appreciated. Contact your area's coordinator to see what items are most in need.

Kelley Hobart's free Kisses and Hugs Reversible Baby Blanket pattern is perfect for this charity!

 

Knitted Knockers

Knitted Knockers Charities is a nationwide nonprofit public charity (501 (c) (3)) that has given away thousands of free knitted knockers made by volunteers across the USA.

Knitted Knockers are prosthetic breasts for mastectomy patients. Since starting in 2010, our goal has been to make mastectomy patients aware of options for prosthetic breasts, provide free patterns to make knitted knockers and to coordinate the distribution of free knockers to anyone needing them.

When placed in a bra, these knitted prosthetics take the shape and feel of a real breast. They are lighter and more comfortable than silicone prosthetic breasts; the knitted fabric breathes and prevents the heat rash experienced by many women wearing the silicone prosthetics.

The free pattern for Knitted Knockers is great knit up in Bamboo Pop, which is one of the approved yarns. Knitted Knockers suggests the color 125, Darling Pink, or another neutral color.

Another great yarn for Knitted Knockers is HiKoo CoBaSi DK. This is a soft-to-the-skin washable yarn.

Where to Send Knitted Knockers

Knitted Knockers Charities
1415 E. University Drive A102
Tempe, Arizona 85281

Please include your name and mailing address with all shipments.

A Thin Blue Line Afghan

This afghan was developed as fundraiser for a memorial park to honor an officer who lost his life in the line of duty. Conceived by Alpaca Direct owner Kelley Hobart, who also donated the yarn, the afghan was designed by shop manager Susan Melka and knit by members of our knitting group, who made the blocks. Susan stitched the blocks together and knit the edging. The yarn used is Berroco Vintage Worsted.

The finished afghan was auctioned off in a fundraiser for the memorial park in Coeur de 'Alene, Idaho.

We've teamed up with Berroco to bring you kits for A Thin Blue Line Afghan at 25% off. The individual free pattern is also available.   

Here's a video for more information about this project. We hope you will join in!

The Red Scarf Project

From the Red Scarf website: "In 2005, the Orphan Foundation of America (now Foster Care to Success) launched a unique initiative to warm the hearts (and necks) of college-bound foster youth. We began taking donations of handmade red scarves to put into our Valentine’s Day Care Packages.

Word spread quickly around the charitable knitting/crocheting community. In the first year, we took in 3,500 scarves. The following year, that number swelled to over 15,000."

What a wonderful organization! You can use any scarf pattern, just make sure it follows the guidelines for the Red Scarf Project.

We suggest the Cabled Pocket Scarf, a free pattern that's perfect for teenagers!

Scarves are accepted from September 1, 2018 through December 15, 2018, so you have plenty of time to knit up a few for this project!

Send scarves to:
Foster Care to Success
Red Scarf Project
23811 Chagrin Blvd., Suite 210
Cleveland, OH 44122

Do you have a favorite charity to knit or crochet for? Leave a comment below and let us know about it!