CHARITY KNITTING: MAKING A GIFT FOR SOMEONE WHO REALLY NEEDS IT!
organizations that inspire and seek donations of your handwork
first URL is an essay called "Knitting for Others"
last URL has search engine
PEACE FLEECE
yarn company committed to helping historic enemies cooperate and prosper through trade
knitting yarn made from Russian/American, Israeli and Palestinian wools
handpainted knitting needles, patterns, wooden buttons, and adorable knit kits to felt
-- including a felted "earth" ball
INSPIRATIONAL "PIECES" ON VALUE OF KNITTING
deep relationship between knitting and spirituality/meditation
positive value of in-school knitting for children as practiced in Waldolf Schools
NON-CHEMICALLY PROCESSED AND ORGANIC YARN
workshops and tours for the first URL
see below for further suggestions
LANTERN MOON BASKETS
baskets that are handmade works of art by women in Vietnam
medium size is in livingroom next to my knitting spot
large size holds everything else under an endtable; everything fits in nicely for quick clean-up
ELEANOR ROOSEVELT: MY PERSONAL HERO
a special humanitarian who contributed positively to the world through knitting
as "first knitter," her bulging knitting bag was familiar sight while traveling
photographed for White House Christmas card with knitting in hand
knit first row of a symbolic sweater for a wartime soldier through the Red Cross
special gifts with Eleanor Roosevelt stamp :)
see my new tribute page to her; click here
SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY!! Join the "Eleanor Roosevelt Knit-In." Click on her picture for more info.
"KNIT ON, WITH CONFIDENCE AND HOPE, THROUGH ALL CRISES" TOTE BAG
famous inspirational quote from Elizabeth Zimmerman appears on knitting tote bag
photo and information about beautiful woman who has been a guiding light for knitters everywhere

-- even after her passing from this world
ONE WORLD BUTTONS
celebrate cultural and artistic diversity with handcrafted buttons
unique choices from Cambodia, Ghana, Nicaragua, Ecuador
NEEDLE ARTS MENTORING PROGRAM
feeling of achievement through mentoring a child
teach a young curious person to knit!
open the creative world of knitting to a child
teach other needlearts as well
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY CARE OF YOUR HANDKNIT SWEATERS
storing wool sweaters to avoid moth damage
washing wool and cotton sweaters to avoid felting, shrinking, stretching, and fading
Eucalan: no rinsing, no residue, environmental friendly cleaning/conditioning solution for wool
Cot'n Wash for cotton knits
"A STITCH IN TIME"
from proverb: better to deal with problems now, rather than later
teen vocational program incorporating knitting
clients: maltreated youth removed from their families' care
three goals for participants:


(1) learn vocational skills to succesfully obtain & maintain future employment
(2) learn to knit in order to have a leisure skill in the future
(3) perpetuate the art of knitting for future generations
youth make knitted items for retail internet and mail order sale
online yarnshop sells yarn and other knitting related items
proceeds pay stipends to the program participants
DONATIONS NEEDED!:
yarn, knitting needles & notions, knitting books and magazines
patterns, finished knitted items to sell
AFGHANS FOR AFGHANS
purchase price of pattern goes directly to this charity
last URL by knitter-participant in this noble cause
HEARTFELT BAGS
each "Heartfelt" bag knitted for you by volunteers
complete with needles
inside each bag is yarn and pattern to knit another bag for someone else
all proceeds benefit the Autism Society of America
PASS IT ON! USE IT UP! (FOR KNITTERS WITH "STASHES")
how to "Reduce, reuse, recycle, refresh" your collection of yarns and supplies
benefit others and yourself
last URL offers pattern books loaded with ideas to "usefully use" up that stash
CHARITY KNITTING PATTERNS
patterns suitable for garments donated to others
RECYCLING OLD SWEATERS AND YARN
recycle yarn from old personal projects or thrift store sweaters
excellent instructions accompanied by clear, precise pictures
make mittens out of felted-by-accident knitting
SOCKS FOR "CHILDREN IN COMMON"
my 2005 charity project
knit wool socks in any size (or children's vest, too)
for Russian children in unheated or poorly heated orphanages who "share" pairs of sox
patterns use worsted yarn to give thickness and more warmth (Beginners, use first parttern.)
I use two strands of non-itchy merino DK yarn to add more color
(second pattern provides instructions for non-machine washable wool)
this merino is beautiful & affordable & in lots of colors, grouped seasonally
first URL gives lots of suggestions to brighten up socks for variety & child appeal
last URL contains typical sock measurements for children
IMPORTANT NOTE: USE MAILING ADDRESS FOR DONATIONS FROM FIRST URL!!
CIRCLES: A KNITTING SALON
all products carried meet the following criteria:
product comes directly from farm, artisan or vendor striving for self-sustainability
ecological or social consciousness associated with product
feels like the high art form of its genre
being committed to these criteria requires more research than is typically done to stock a retail yarn store
travels to sheep and wool festivals around the country and do extensive internet networking
FIBERS CO-OPS
actively supports socially-conscious knitting
carries lines that are created by cooperatives around the world -- Bolivia, Nepal, Peru, Vietnam, and Uruguay
in addition, recycled cotton yarn
KNIT KITS
kits eliminate need for another yarn container (plastic bag, etc.)
box for kit dispenses yarn easily and is portable and reusable
MORE "EARTH & ANIMAL FRIENDLY" YARNS
supporting these companies with a conscience makes a better world for all of us
NOTE: The following retailers do not have an online website of their own, so search for them
at other online outlets and your local yarn store!
Karabella, Kertzer, Tongue River, Chasing Rainbows, Needful, Brooks Farm,
Elsebeth Lavold, Dancing Leaf, Delly's Delights, Good Shepherd, Oak Grove, Sunny Hill,
Chester Farm, Tintagel, Manos del Uruguay, Steadfast Fibers, Interlacements, Sweet Grass,
Jaeger
HALCYON YARNS
excellent selection of wide variety of yarns
catalogue printed on earth-friendly paper
HEIFER INTERNATIONAL
give a share of a "knitting basket" in the form of a fiber-producing animal in honor of recipient
excellent for group giving (whole knitting basket)
countless bundles of wool for families to make clothes, blankets, ponchos and more
handcrafted pieces earn income for food and basic necessities
RED SWEATERS
a project to honor the rising number of dead American soldiers in the Iraqi war
follow pattern exactly to contribute a miniature red sweater
goal: 1500+ hand-knit mini red sweaters from a tree.
art installation to spread public awareness, encourage thought, & inspire discussions about war and current events
HOMESTEAD WOOL FARM
happy, pampered sheep = wonderful selection of yarn obtained by humane means
WARM WOOLIES
knitting for orphans here in the US and overseas
donations of yarn and needles welcome, too
free patterns and instructions
HUMANELY RAISED MERINO SHEEP
Morehouse Farm never engages in the practice of "mulesed" of their merino sheep
Irish Baby Knits Galenas merino comes from humanely-raised sheep from farm in Eastern US
ORPHAN FOUNDATION OF AMERICA SCARF PROJECT
knit a red scarf for college-bound foster youth for Valentine's Day 2006
FRIENDS OF PINEWOOD RESERVATION
extensive list of needed items with illustrated patterns
"FRANKENKNITS" COLUMN IN KNITTY ONLINE MAGAZINE
clever, eclectic ways to recycle "old" knitted articles
how to make "ruined" items wearable (again)
COUNTRY WOOL: KNITTING FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD
inspirational knit shop with strong outreach efforts to help needy people in the NY state area
PEACE JACKET
for advanced knitters
98 word for peace in white in a beautiful field of blue
KNITTING FOR PEACE
stories, patterns, and resources for charity knitting around the world
KNITTING CONNECTION
mission: support children and families with crafted items
utilizing the artistic talents of volunteer knitters
CESTARI / CHESTER FARMS YARN
machine washable (WITHOUT CHEMICALS!) on cold setting
100% wool worsted, 2 ply; variety of colors
small farm source; humanely treated sheep