Crochet for Charity
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Here’s how it works.
If you would like to participate and crochet items for donation purposes and you need help finding a local charity, please read this post from Marie: Tips and Tricks to Find a Local Charity Accepting Crocheted Donations
If you are a member of a Charitable Organization and you accept crocheted donations please complete the contact form at the end of this post to be added to our directory.
Things to remember:
- Please remember each Charitable Organization has specific rules and regulations regarding which types of items, types of yarn and which crocheted items they will accept.
- Please be conscientious of this before buying your supplies or mailing the Organization your completed items and check with them directly first 🙂
- Always investigate the Charity to be sure they are still operating and accepting items! Many charitable organizations stop operating after they have reached specific goals.
Charity Crochet Directory
UNITED STATES
BINKY PATROL
- https://www.binkypatrol.org/
- Binky Patrol distributes handmade blankets to children (from birth to 18 years) who are ill, abused, or suffering from trauma.
- Blankets of all designs are accepted.
- Must be soft, washable and at least 3-feet square.
POST: Featured Charity Binky Patrol
BRIDGE AND BEYOND – CLOSED
BUNDLES OF LOVE
- https://www.bundlesoflove.org/
- Partnering with community service agencies to provide handmade baby items (clothing, basic care and bedding) for Newborns.
- Accepts afghans in two sizes: 32″ X 36″ or 36″ X 36″
- Minnesota Based.
TEXAS CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
- Cancer and Hematology Centers of Texas Children’s Hospital
- https://waystogive.texaschildrens.org/ways-to-give/make-a-gift/donate-items.html
- Patients ranging in age from newborn to older teens and their family members.
- Homemade (crochet, knit, or sew), blankets and quilts. Hand sewn, crochet, or knit items such as teddy bears, gingerbread men, and a number of items that may assist with long term patient care.
- Donations can be dropped off at the Main Campus, West Campus and The Woodlands at specified times. Check the times here.
POST: Featured Charity Texas Children’s Hospital
CARE WEAR
- http://www.carewear.org/
- Care Wear is a nationwide group of volunteers who crochet, knit, or sew. They provide handmade items directly to hospitals & social service agencies. All Care Wear items are distributed by hospital or agency staff, free of charge to patients.
- No wool.
- Preemie size charts and Newborn size charts, plus general submission instructions.
CHRISTMAS AT SEA – THE SEAMAN’S CHURCH INSTITUTE
- https://seamenschurch.org/programs-services/christmas-at-sea/
- Any project made from a pattern published by the SCI (Seaman’s Church Institute). They prefer washable wool or wool-blends. Most patterns require worsted weight yarn. No pom-poms, tassels or fringe (safety hazard).
- Gifts are distributed during the winter months and created and collected year-round.
CLICK FOR BABIES
A Period of PURPLE Crying Campaign
- https://www.clickforbabies.org/about-click-for-babies-campaign.php
- The CLICK for Babies campaign was created to promote awareness for the Period of PURPLE Crying all infants go through. It helps by educating parents on how to respond to prolonged crying and how important it is NOT to shake your baby (SBS – Shaken Baby Syndrome).
- Local campaigns in the US and Canada.
- New, Clean, Soft-to-touch (not Value Yarns which are scratchy to touch) washable yarns.
- Please make warm hats (not open / large stitches) with tiny stitches.
- Size Must be: 13 – 15 inches and 4 to 6 inches in height as these hats are to be worn by 1-2 day old infants.
- Must be at least 50% purple and unisex.
- No embellishments (do not add buttons, pom poms, ties, straps, ribbons, bows, etc.)
POST: CLICK for Babies Campaign. Crochet a Purple Cap!
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
- Children and Adult Crochet, Knit and sewn items.
- Some ideas: sewn cloth turbans, crochet teddy bears, crochet prosthetic breasts, scarves, prayer shawls, lap blankets, gloves, socks, etc. If you would like to donate something specific please contact the Chapter you plan on making the donation to. Please make the items in soft fibers such as cotton or soft acrylic yarns.
- No Wool.
- Locations in the US, Canada and Australia.
- Donation Guidelines.
POST: Featured Charity Crochet for Cancer – Simple Cotton Cap
POST: Featured Charity Crochet for Cancer – Summer Sunhat Chemo Cap
FEEL BETTER FRIENDS
- https://fbfdolls.org/
- Recipients: Children battling Cancer and other Illnesses.
- Donations of: Handmade Dolls
- The Dolls are made to resemble a child who is dealing with a traumatic health event. They are designed with the same hair and eye color as the child who will be receiving the doll.
- 200 volunteers in 7 countries.
FOSTER CARE TO SUCCESS
The Red Scarf Project
- https://www.fc2success.org/programs/student-care-packages/
- Young Adults who are transitioning from Childhood in Foster Care (as permanent wards) into college and adulthood.
- Red scarf donations.
- Requirements: https://fbfdolls.org/get-involved/volunteer/
POST: Featured Charity: Foster Care to Success – Red Scarf Free Pattern
FRIENDS OF PINE RIDGE RESERVATION
Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota is home to the Oglala Sioux Tribe with an estimated population of close to 40,000. The reservation is large, and its needs immense, commensurate with grinding poverty. We focus on specific needs of the many schools and social service organizations such as shelters, children’s organizations, and clinics physically located on the reservation.
Friends of Pine Ridge Reservation
- Accepting crocheted, knit or sewn handmade items.
POST: Featured Charity Pine Ridge Reservation – Baby Blanket Pattern
HANDMADE ESPECIALLY FOR YOU
- https://www.handmadeespecially.org/
- This nonprofit organization makes comfort scarves and distribute them to shelters for abused women. Each scarf is tied with a ribbon and includes a gift tag signed by the giver.
POST: Featured Charity Handmade Especially for You – Free Scarf Pattern
HATS FOR THE HOMELESS
The 2021-22 Hats for the Homeless project has distributed over 4,200 hats this year. As before, we bring hats to shelters, group homes, hospital ERs, schools, churches, food shelves, drop-in centers, just to name the more common recipient sites. In addition to hats, scarves and mittens, we received 25 pairs of warm and wooly socks.
Barbara Melom (Hats for the Homeless)
- Minneapolis based
- Where to mail completed hats.
POST: Featured Charity Hats for the Homeless Free Hat Pattern
KNIT A SQUARE
Crocheting and knitting for charity for Knit-a-square is an act of love because it makes a tangible difference in the lives of orphaned or vulnerable children and abandoned babies.
Knit a Square
Crochet or 8-Inch Squares
POST: Featured Charity Knit A Square – Free 8-inch afghan square crochet pattern
KNIT YOUR BIT
Campaign at the National WWII Museum
- https://www.nationalww2museum.org/programs/knit-your-bit
- Veterans in Veterans Centers, hospitals and service organizations across the United States.
- Hand knit or crocheted scarves measuring no smaller than 6-inches X 60-inches. No keyhole or potato chip scarves.
- Mail finished scarves here.
POST: Featured Charity Knit Your Bit – Free Scarf Pattern
KNOTS OF LOVE
- https://www.knotsoflove.org/guidelines-for-knitters-and-knotters
- Individuals experiencing traumatic hair loss (i.e. men, women and veterans experiencing hair loss from chemotherapy, brain surgery, head trauma, burn victims, and patients with alopecia) and fragile infants in incubators.
- 18 x 24 ” blankets and hats
- Distributes the donations throughout the United States to more than 560 treatment centers.
- Guidelines for Crocheters
- NICU Blanket Pattern (Link)
- Hat Patterns (Link)
POST: Featured Charity Knots of Love – Crochet Blanket Pattern
POST: Featured Charity Knots of Love – Crochet Hat Pattern
MATS FOR CATS
- https://matsforcats.wixsite.com/mfc4
- Mats for shelter cats.
- Looking for donations of yarn scraps to Make Mats for Shelter Cats.
- Learn how you can make mats for cats at your local shelter.
- Cat Mat sizes: Feral: 14-inches X 18-inches or Snuggle: 20-inches x 24-inches
- Cat Mat patterns
- Facebook Group
MITTENS FOR DETROIT
- https://mittensfordetroit.org/
- Support mittens for Detroit collects and distributes new mittens and gloves to children, teens and adults in need in Detroit, Michigan. Warming hearts, two hands at a time.
- Mitten Patterns
- Send mittens throughout the year to this address
POST: Featured Charity Mittens for Detroit – Mitten Crochet Pattern
NEWBORNS IN NEED
- https://newbornsinneed.org/
- Recipients: Premature, ill or impoverished newborns at hospitals and facilities within the United States.
- Donations of: Booties, toys and blankets are requested as they receive enough hats already.
- Patterns (Link)
- Local Chapters
PINK SLIPPER PROJECT
- https://thepinkslipperproject.blogspot.com/
- Accepting donations of slippers, washcloths and pet cozies. Different “challenges” are listed throughout the year and you can participate in filling the need for the specific women’s shelter.
- Facebook Group
PROJECT LINUS
- https://www.projectlinus.org/
- Recipients: Children ages 0-18 years
Donations of: New, handmade, washable blankets. Please ensure blankets are pet or animal hair free and stored (and created) in a smoke-free environment. No embellishments (such as buttons) as they can be a choking hazard.
POST: Featured Charity Project Linus Blanket Pattern
PROJECT ROBBY
- https://projectrobby.com/
- Recipients: Angel Babies (Micro Preemies)
- Donations of: accepts donations of tiny hats, blankets, angel wings, cocoons, and hat and blanket sets and distributes them to hospitals all over the United States. Project Robby also donates hat and blanket sets to Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep Photographers.
- Goal: The mission of Project Robby is to provide items sized-to-fit Angel Babies of different gestational ages and to ensure families will have something tangible to hold onto that their loved one was able to wear.
POST: Featured Charity Project Robby Crochet Hat Pattern
PROJECT NIGHT NIGHT
- https://www.projectnightnight.org/
- Locations: California, Michigan and Ohio, USA
- Recipients: Homeless Children
- Donations of: Blankets (40 inches by 50 inches, or smaller)
- Restrictions: Must be NEW blankets. “No-Sew” fleece tied blankets are not accepted.
POST: Featured Charity Project Night Night Child’s Crochet Blanket Pattern
THE PREEMIE PROJECT – CLOSED
SOLDIERS’ ANGELS
- https://soldiersangels.org/get-support/family-support/sewing-and-crafting-team/
- Recipients: Veterans, Deployed Service Members and their Families.
- Donations of: Blankets, Pillowcases, Hats, Scarves, Shawls, Privacy Items, Bags, Totes and more.
- Crochet, knit and sewn.
STREET SOLDIERS
- Location: Albany, New York
- Recipients: Homeless and People Less Fortunate
- Donations of: Handmade items for children through adults. Suggested items include: hats, mittens, scarves, gloves, blankets, etc.
- Send your clean crocheted items to:
- For specific current needs check their Facebook Page: Street Soldiers
POST: Featured Charity Street Soldiers Patterns
THREADS OF LOVE
- https://threadsoflove.org/
- Location: Chapters in US, Canada and UK.
- Recipients: Premature and Sick Infants
- Donations of: Gowns, handmade items and blankets
WARM UP AMERICA
- https://warmupamerica.org/
- Recipients: Adults, teens, children, baby
- Donations of: Current Needs
- Made With Love
- Always Accepting: Completed afghans (adult, child, and baby size), hats (adult), scarves, baby clothing, crochet (knit sections) 7 inches by 9 inches
WARMTH FOR ALL
- http://www.warmthforall.com/
- Recipients: Community based organization dedicated to helping those in need.
KNITTING FOR PEACE
- https://www.knitting4peace.org/
- Recipients: Women, teens, children, infants, and families in local and global areas of conflict.
- Donations of: Items which are crocheted, knit or woven.
WOOL-AID
- https://www.wool-aid.org/campaigns.html
- Recipients: Children living in the coldest climates in the world.
- Donations of: crochet and knit accessories, garments and blankets made of at least 80% wool.
POST: Featured Charity Wool-Aid Child’s Pullover Vest
CANADA
BLANKETS FOR CANADA
- https://blankets4canada.ca/
- Recipients: Canadians who need warmth.
- Blanket Square Requirments: 8 inches by 8 inches
PATTERNS
SUBMIT YOUR CHARITY TO OUR DIRECTORY
Submit Your Charitable Organization Link to our Crochet Charity Directory Below!
Information to include:
- a brief explanation of what the Charity supports
- what type of crochet donations are needed
- any deadlines for mailing of finished items
- any restrictions on fibers used for projects (for example “no wool” if you do not accept donations of items made with wool)
- links to the charity’s website
- operating location (U.S., Canada or in another location)
Free Crochet Patterns you can Use for Charity
- Preemie Crochet Hat Patterns
- Charity Crochet Patterns (mittens, hats, scarves)
- Easy Hat Patterns
- Pet Crochet Patterns
- Preemie Patterns (clothing)
- Rectangle Shawls
