12 Ways You Can Crochet & Knit to HELP Those in Need
Looking for a way to give back? Here you’ll find 12 ways you can crochet & knit to HELP those in need. Whatever your passion is, you’ll find an organization that needs your talent.
Meet Jill.
Jill Volarich has donated a whopping 750 crocheted items to help those in need.
She is an inspiration for all crocheters and knitters and has been a passionate crafter for thirty years and uses her talent to help others in a big way.
You Can Crochet & Knit to HELP Those in Need.
“Crocheting is definitely my passion. I love to make things. I love being a creator and I love that it’s something that you can give to someone else. Crocheting is a hobby for me. I spend probably almost all of my free time with a hook and yarn in my hands. I take it everywhere I go.
I started giving things away because I love to create so much. I found organizations that support the homeless. I’ve found organizations that support children. I’ve found organizations that support cancer patients and then I’ve given items to my community for different fundraisers and events that they have to give back.
So I feel really happy when I’m able to pass something along to someone else. And one of the things I love about it the most is that a lot of it is just anonymous. So I’ve done something for someone else. They don’t know who I am. We’ve never met and I’m just able to give back to someone who really needs something special at the moment.
Jill Volarich
Jill helps the homeless, cancer patients, and children who are bullied just to name a few. She has donated a whopping 750 crocheted items to different nonprofit organizations.
When I saw Jill’s story on Good Morning America I knew I wanted to know more about how our hobby can help those in need.
I did some research and found 12 amazing charities that are in need of crocheted and knitted items.
12 Ways You Can Crochet & Knit to HELP Those in Need
Here are twelve charitable organizations that take handmade items to help those in need. You’ll find charities that focus on cancer, preemies, bullying, shelter pets, Alzheimer’s and more.
Crochet for Cancer
Crochet for Cancer is a Christian volunteer based non-profit that donates handmade chemo caps to cancer centers for patients coping with hair loss.
Crochet for Cancer
Crochet for Cancer provides lots of links to different free patterns that would work well for chemo caps.
They feature patterns for adults and children as well as knit caps. They recommend:
Please use patterns that do not have gaps or large holes. A tighter stitch is best so that it covers the scalp.
Crochet for Cancer
Crochet for Cancer has specific requirements for donating chemo caps and you’ll find that information here:
They also take donations of scarves, blankets and prayer shawls as well.
Check Out Crochet for Cancer Here
Project Linus
Do you remember Linus from Charlie Brown and how he always carried around a blanket? That’s the logo of Project Linus.
At Project Linus, a non-profit organization, we provide new handmade blankets to children in need. Our blankets are lovingly made by adults and children from all walks of life and many different sources.
Project Linus
Project Linus has two missions:
Provide 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.â€
And
Provide a rewarding and fun service opportunity for interested individuals and groups in local communities, for the benefit of children.
Project Linus
Project Linus has donated over nine million blankets since 1995. What a wonderful way to use your talents to help children in need.
Binky Patrol
Another blanket organization is the Binky Patrol.
We make blankets and give them away to children who are in need of comfort. It’s a reminder that they matter, they are not invisible, not forgotten, and that SOMEONE cares about them.
Binky Patrol
You can make different types of blankets (which they call Binkies):
- Sewn
- Quilted
- Crocheted
- Knitted
- Fleece
There are important specifications that you need to know about before starting your binky.
Check Out the Specifications for Making a Binky Here
Warm Up America
Warm Up America is one organization that I have donated a blanket to. A few years ago Brittany from BHooked designed a blanket pattern for Warm Up America and I participated for the first time.
We are a national nonprofit that since 1991 has provided hand knitted and crocheted blankets, clothing and accessories made by volunteers across the country and donated to people in need.
Warm Up America
Currently Warm Up America has partnered with the Hallmark Channel (2022):
Join Hallmark Channel and Warm Up America! to create beautiful cozy blankets to be donated to women’s domestic violence shelters. Warm Up America! joiners will connect these sections into blankets to be donated to various women’s domestic violence shelters in Georgia, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Texas.
Warm Up America
They provide the crocheted and knitted pattern for a 7″ x 9″ section which you make and send directly to them. Their volunteers will join them all into the blankets to be donated.
Check Out Warm Up America Here
Operation Gratitude
Operation Gratitude is a nation-wide nonprofit dedicated to providing people across our great country with opportunities for hands-on volunteerism to say ‘thank you’ to our Military, Veterans, and First Responders.
Operation Gratitude
Operation Gratitude has proved more than 3.5 million care packages since 2003. In 2022 alone, volunteers have provided 384,015 Handmade with Love items.
Every Handmade With Love item is an expression of deep appreciation for the service and sacrifice of our recipients.
Operation Gratitude
They accept crocheted or knitted hats and scarves.
In the cold winter months, we include a lovingly handmade scarf or hat in every Care Package we send to the troops. To make that happen, we need the knitting and crocheting talents of volunteers across the country.
Operation Gratitude
You can also make amigurumi critters and characters as well!
Handmade amigurumi critters are unique crocheted and knitted animals, dolls and shapes that are sent to our military heroes serving far from home. The time and talent taken to make each critter will surely create a smile when they are received by our troops.
Operation Gratitude
Check Out the Guidelines for Making Amigurumi Here
Make sure to check out the specifications of the item you would like to donate since many of them are going overseas to our men and women serving at home and abroad.
Check Out Operation Gratitude Here
Comfort for Critters
Comfort for Critters is a social entrepreneurship that donates handmade pet blankets to shelters across the US and sells e-books to help you make your own pet blanket! We’re “in business” to help homeless pets!
Comfort for Critters
If you’ve ever seen my posts before, you may know that I’m a big sucker for shelter pets. I currently have two rescue kitties and recently lost our beloved dog, Jersey-Boy jsut a few months ago. He was our first pet from the shleter, but I know he won’t be our last.
I believe so strongly in adopting from the shelter and this is a wonderful way to bring these sweet critters comfort while they wait for their forever family.
Check Out 8 Crochet Projects to Pamper Your Pets Here
We provide 1,500-2,000 blankets per month to 400+ animal shelters across the US, completely free of charge. We also provide free materials to local volunteers near our headquarters in Illinois. So we never have enough yarn and fleece, and we never waste a bit!
Comfort for Critters
If you’re unable to make a blanket for a shelter pet, consider donating your excess yarn to them so that their volunteers can make one. What a wonderful way to pass it forward.
Check Out Comfort for Critters
Knots of Love
Founded in 2007, our mission is to provide lovingly hand-knit and crocheted beanies to people going through chemo and NICU blankets to babies in neonatal ICU incubators – for free.
Founded in 2007, we have helped over 570,238 children, adults, and veterans going through chemotherapy and babies in neonatal ICU incubators (NICU).
Knots of Love
Because these items are going to vulnerable adults and babies, please make sure to check out:
I was happy to see that several of my favorite yarns are listed as approved yarns for making beanies and preemie blankets.
You’ll find the entire list of approved yarns here: Knots of Love Required Yarn List
Hat Not Hate
#HATNOTHATE is an anti-bullying campaign.
We ask knitters, crocheters, and loomers to make handmade blue hats and donate them to our cause. In October, National Bullying Prevention Month, we distribute the hats to schools across the country for students to wear, empowering them to stand up to bullying.
Hat Not Hate
A total of 106,529 hats have been made in support of Hat Not Hate!
Make sure to check out the FAQ page to get all the important details about when your hats need to be received by as well as where to drop off your hats!
Knitted Knockers
Knitted Knockers are special handmade breast prosthesis for women who have undergone mastectomies or other procedures to the breast. Traditional breast prosthetics are usually expensive, heavy, sweaty and uncomfortable. They typically require special bras or camisoles with pockets and can’t be worn for weeks after surgery. Knitted Knockers on the other hand are soft, comfortable, beautiful and when placed in a regular bra they take the shape and feel of a real breast. Our special volunteer knitters provide these FREE to those requesting them.
Knitted Knockers
A total of 487,080 Knitted Knockers have been provided and can be knit or crocheted.
Make sure to check out the link for the patterns, tutorials and approved yarns to make a pair of Knitted Knockers for a woman in need.
Check Out Knitted Knockers Here
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. We seek 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. Together, we’re making a difference.
Alice’s Embrace
This is such a beautiful way to use your crocheting or knitting talents to bless someone suffering from Alzheimers. Like many nonprofits, the idea was born from the loss of Diane’s own mother, Alice. What a wonderful way to honor her mother’s legacy and bring comfort to others.
Check Out Alice’s Embrace Here
Mother Bear Project
The Mother Bear Project is dedicated to providing comfort and hope to children affected by HIV/AIDS in emerging nations, by giving them a gift of love in the form of a hand-knit or crocheted bear.
The simple gift of a hand-knit bear with a tag signed by the knitter has touched children with the message that they are unconditionally loved.
Mother Bear Project
Each of the bears are knit from one pattern, knit or crochet. It’s a World War 2 pattern that is oh so cute.
Each pattern will include a tag for you to sign your first name and attach to your bear’s wrist before sending it back.
We will sew a red felt heart on your bear and ship it to one of our partners for distribution to the children.
Mother Bear Project
This is a beautiful way to show children suffering from HIV the love and warmth of a handmade gift.
Check Out the Mother Bear Project Here
Snuggles Project
Snuggles provide frightened animals something to help calm themselves so that shelters can start the adoption process quicker.
Snuggles make shelters look and feel more homey. Animals are more at ease making for better matching and better adoption results.
The project brings people together — with time to chat, time to learn, and time to teach. Getting together to make Snuggles is fun.
Snuggles Project
The Snuggles Project believes that blankets help shelter animals to be more calm, enabling the volunteers to handle the animals better and discover their true personalities.
Ultimately this will help them get adopted sooner.
You will also find a lot of wonderful crochet and knit patterns to choose from.
Check Out the Snuggles Project Here
12 Ways You Can Crochet & Knit to HELP Those in Need
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