knittingforabetterworld

CHARITY KNITTING: MAKING A GIFT FOR SOMEONE WHO REALLY NEEDS IT!

http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEfall03/FEATcharity.html

http://www.interweave.com/knit/charities.asp

http://www.woolworks.org/charity.html

http://www.bellaonline.com/subjects/206.asp

http://www.imagiknit.com/charity.html

http://www.dailyknitter.com/charity.html

http://store.nobleknits.com/knforca.html

http://www.knitlit.com/shares.htm

http://www.knitnet.com/sampler/current/charknit.htm

http://www.lionbrand.com/charityConnection.html

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

http://www.peacefleece.com/

http://www.knittersreview.com/article_yarn.asp?article=/review/product/040422_a.asp

http://www.halcyonyarn.com/Yarn_pages/yarn020.html

http://www.kpixie.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=35_53

http://www.kpixie.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=35_53_74

http://www.kpixie.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=35_53_94

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

http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEsummer03/FEATknittingyourself.html

http://www.worldknit.com/celebrityknitters.html

http://www.maddycraft.com/MC205.pdf

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art43415.asp/zzz

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

http://www.spinnery.com

http://www.marrhaven.com/yarn.html#100%chemicalfree

http://ecoyarns.com.au/

http://yarn.com/webs/0/0/0/0-1001-1294-1323/0/0/3151/

http://www.cottageindustry.net/organicyarns.php

http://www.theyarntree.com/store/yarns/treliske/merino.html

http://www.earthfriendlyyarns.com/

https://www.chesterfarms.com/wool.htm

https://www.cestariltd.com/contact/

http://www.yarnmarket.com/knitting/Eco-Friendly_Fibers-670.html

http://www.wearyourart.com/Organic_Yarn.html

workshops and tours for the first URL

see below for further suggestions

LANTERN MOON BASKETS

http://www.amazingthreads.com/pages/giftsp/PefectBaskets.html

http://uncommonthreads-pa.com/LanternMoon.htm

http://www.yarnsandthreads.com/the.store?cart_id=4624313.18030&page=baskets.html

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

http://www.ardithkeef.com/YarnDetail.asp?ShirtID=26&BabySample=images/yarn/women5.gif

http://www.harmonydesigns.com/product/detail.php?catalogNumber=3185Eleanor

http://philato.com/2005_08_01_archive.html#112491727568485350

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

Shaefer Yarns offers a colorway named in her honor

knit first row of a symbolic sweater for a wartime soldier through the Red Cross

I recommend a visit to her fascinating Val-Kill Cottage in Hyde Park, New York

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

http://www.stitchesmarket.com/xcart/customer/product.php?productid=2707&cat=209&page=1

http://www.joyknits.com/EZ.html

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

http://www.oneworldbuttons.com/community.php

http://www.oneworldbuttons.com/contact_us.php

http://www.yarnsandthreads.com/the.store?cart_id=4624313.18030&page=buttons.html

http://www.handworksgallery.com/butnpage.htm

celebrate cultural and artistic diversity with handcrafted buttons

unique choices from Cambodia, Ghana, Nicaragua, Ecuador

NEEDLE ARTS MENTORING PROGRAM

http://www.helpinghandsprogram.org/

http://www.needleartsmentoring.org/index.html

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

http://www.sweaterscapes.com/storing.htm

http://www.sweaterscapes.com/wash.htm

http://www.eucalan.com/

http://www.cottonclouds.com/shopping/product_info.asp?id=313

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"

www.astitchintime.bizhosting.com

http://www.lisainc.org/donations.html

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

http://secure.elann.com/productdisp.asp?NAME=afghans+for+Afghans+Afghan+Mittens&Cat=&ProductType=4&Count=2

http://secure.elann.com/productdisp.asp?NAME=afghans+for+Afghans+Afghan+Socks+for+Children&Cat=&ProductType=4&Count=3

http://secure.elann.com/productdisp.asp?NAME=afghans+for+Afghans+Jacket+for+Children&Cat=&ProductType=4&Count=4

http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall04/FEATcharity.html

mittens, socks, and jacket to aid Afghans for Afghans humanitarian project

purchase price of pattern goes directly to this charity

last URL by knitter-participant in this noble cause

HEARTFELT BAGS

http://www.glenmarlewoolworks.com/winter0304/heartfelt.html

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")

http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall04/FEATpassiton.html

http://www.dailyknitter.com/article11.html

http://www.yarnrescue.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=48

https://www.frugalhaus.com/scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=53

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

http://www.inknitters.com/Issue10/charity_book_2003.pdf

http://www.inknitters.com/ink_charity02.pdf

patterns suitable for garments donated to others

RECYCLING OLD SWEATERS AND YARN

http://neauveau.com/recycledyarn.html

http://www.yarnmarket.com/yarn/More_Books-Second_Time_Cool-2039.html

http://www.recycledyarn.com/

http://www.earthheartdesigns.com/Earth%20Heart%20pages/Patterns/

All%20Patterns/sewn_mittens.htm

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"

http://www.childrenincommon.org/

http://www.knitcrochetpatterns.com/cic_socks.html

http://countrywool.tripod.com/freepatterns/csocks.htm

http://www.byhandyarn.com/begsocks.html

http://www.socknitters.com/PROJECTS/CICgoal.htm

http://www.fibergypsy.com/common/socksize.shtml

http://countrywool.tripod.com/freepatterns/cicvest.htm

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

http://www.circles-salon.com/prodsvc/products/prodcrit.htm

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

http://www.fibersgrassvalley.com/yarns.html

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

http://knitkitsco.com/portable_reusable.html

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

http://www.alchemyyarns.com/

http://www.blackberry-ridge.com/

http://www.blueskyalpacas.com/yarns.php

http://www.blueheronyarn.com/

http://brownsheep.com/

http://www.runningwildyarn.com/

http://www.skacelknitting.com/

http://www.berroco.com/

http://www.knitrowan.com/html/home.asp

http://www.simplyshetland.net/4436.html

http://www.spinnery.com

http://www.needfulyarnsinc.com/

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

http://www.halcyonyarn.com/

excellent selection of wide variety of yarns

catalogue printed on earth-friendly paper

HEIFER INTERNATIONAL

http://www.heifer.org/site/apps/ka/ec/product.asp?c=edJRKQNiFiG&b=477887&ProductID=164820

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

http://www.redsweaters.org/RedSweaters.html

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

http://www.homesteadwoolandgiftfarm.com/index.html

happy, pampered sheep = wonderful selection of yarn obtained by humane means

WARM WOOLIES

http://www.warmwoolies.org/index.html

knitting for orphans here in the US and overseas

donations of yarn and needles welcome, too

free patterns and instructions

HUMANELY RAISED MERINO SHEEP

http://www.morehousefarm.com/F-A-Qs/2/

http://www.irishbabyknits.com/

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

http://www.orphan.org/redscarf.htm

knit a red scarf for college-bound foster youth for Valentine's Day 2006

FRIENDS OF PINEWOOD RESERVATION

http://www.friendsofpineridgereservation.org/difference/craftforprr.shtml

extensive list of needed items with illustrated patterns

"FRANKENKNITS" COLUMN IN KNITTY ONLINE MAGAZINE

http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEsummer06/FEATsum06FK.html

clever, eclectic ways to recycle "old" knitted articles

how to make "ruined" items wearable (again)

COUNTRY WOOL: KNITTING FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD

http://countrywool.tripod.com/freepatterns/knitne.htm

inspirational knit shop with strong outreach efforts to help needy people in the NY state area

PEACE JACKET

http://fortheloveofyarn.com/Issues/Spring06/patterns/spring06_peacejacket.shtml

for advanced knitters

98 word for peace in white in a beautiful field of blue

KNITTING FOR PEACE

http://www.knitpicks.com/books/itemid_30834/books_display

stories, patterns, and resources for charity knitting around the world

KNITTING CONNECTION

http://www.theknittingconnection.org/index.html

mission: support children and families with crafted items

utilizing the artistic talents of volunteer knitters

CESTARI / CHESTER FARMS YARN

http://www.cestariltd.com/vcart/itemblock/?itemblock=54

http://www.y2knit.net/cgi-bin/miva?Merchant2/merchant.mv+Product_Count=9&Screen=

PROD&Product_Code=CF2PLY&Category_Code=BASIC

http://www.knitnet.com/cgi-bin/storecartdata.cgi?product=Trad2p&section=Chester Farms

http://www.needlelady.com/storeproducts.aspx?pt=y&pid=76

machine washable (WITHOUT CHEMICALS!) on cold setting

100% wool worsted, 2 ply; variety of colors

small farm source; humanely treated sheep