I’m Marie Segares from Underground Crafter, and I’m returning to Oombawka Design for the last post in my charity crochet series. I’ll introduce you to a charity that accepts crochet projects and share a free pattern. It’s been a joy visiting with you for the last few months on Oombawka Design, and I hope you’ve learned about some great organizations. Here’s another!

February’s Featured Organization: Wool-Aid, Inc.

Wool-Aid is a charity that has its origins in a group on Ravelry, a social network for crocheters and knitters. These dedicated crafters crochet and knit accessories, garments, and blankets for children living in some of the coldest climates in the world, from northern Canada to Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Tibet, and others. (You don’t have to be a Ravelry group member to donate, but the group is a fun place to chat alongside other like-minded crafters.)

Because of the extreme weather conditions in the areas where Wool-Aid distributes its donations, their primary requirement is that the fiber content of all projects collected be at least 80% wool.

Why Wool?

Wool as a fiber has some wonderful properties that make it perfectly suited for those in colder climes, but the main benefit is that it stays warm by retaining body heat when wet. On the other hand, synthetic fibers (like acrylic) get cold when wet from rain or snow, allowing the children wearing those items to get cold, too. In most parts of the world, wool is one of the least expensive natural fibers, so it is relatively affordable for making even larger projects to donate.

Wool is also durable so projects can be handed down to younger children once they are outgrown. Wool-Aid collects a variety of projects, including hats, mittens, sweaters and vests, socks, and blankets. While most items can be either crocheted or knit, please note that Wool-Aid does not accept crocheted socks.

Tips for Making Great Children’s Sweaters

Oversized pullover vests and sweaters that allow children to grow into them work best for Wool-Aid. The organization even has its own sweater sizing chart. Longer than average body and sleeve length allow sweaters to keep hands and backsides warmer. In keeping with Wool-Aid’s general donation guidelines, fiber content should be at least 80% wool. To keep items looking clean longer, the use of lighter colors should be minimal.

You can find more details on the Wool-Aid website, including current needs and campaigns, instructions for how to donate, and guidelines for project donations with printable labels to include on your projects.

Child’s Ombré Pullover Vest

Crochet Pattern by Underground Crafter

Finished Size

• Child: Size 6: 28″ (71 cm) finished chest circumference x 18″ (46 cm) long.

Materials

• Lion Brand Fishermen’s Wool (8 oz/227 g/465 yds/425 m/100% pure virgin wool) – 1 skein ea in 126 Nature’s Brown (CA) and 123 Oatmeal (CB), or approximately xx yds (xx m) in ea of 2 colors in any medium weight wool yarn.
• US Size K-10.5 (6.5 mm) crochet hook, or any size needed to obtain gauge.
• Yarn needle.

Gauge

• 11 hdc x 9 rows = 4” (10 cm). For best fit, always check your gauge.

Abbreviations Used in This Pattern

• CA – Color A
• CB – Color B
• ch – chain
• dc – double crochet
• ea – each
• rep – repeat
• sc – single crochet
• sk – skip
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• yo – yarn over
• ^* Rep instructions after asterisks as indicated.

Pattern Notes

• Entire vest is worked holding 2 strands of yarn together.
• Ch 2 at beginning of rows do not count as stitches.
• Drop shoulder vest is constructed from back and front panels which are crocheted flat in rows and then seamed together. Since pattern is reversible, choose your favorite side of ea piece as “right side.”

Pattern Instructions

Pullover Vest

Back Panel

• Holding 2 strands of CA together, ch 39.
• Row 1: Turn, sk 1 ch, hdc in next st and ea st across. (38 sts)
• Row 2: Turn, ch 2, hdc in same st and ea st across.
• Rows 3-6: Rep Row 2, 4 more times.
• Row 7: Rep Row 2, changing to 1 strand ea of CA and CB in last yo of final hdc of row.
• Rows 8-13: Rep Row 2, 6 more times.
• Row 14: Rep Row 2, changing to 2 strands of CB in last yo of final hdc of row.
• Rows 15-21: Rep Rows 2-7.
• Rows 22-27: Rep Row 2, 6 more times.
• Row 28: Rep Row 2, changing to 2 strands of CA in last yo of final hdc of row.
• Rows 29-35: Rep Row 2-7.
• Rows 36-42: Rep Row 2, 7 more times. Fasten off.

Front Panel

• Follow instructions for Back Panel through Row 38.

Shape first side of neckline

• Row 39: Turn, ch 2, hdc in same st and next 9 sts, sc in next 2 sts. (12 sts + 26 unworked sts)
  
• Row 40: Turn, ch 1, sl st in same st and next st, hdc in next 10 sts.
• Row 41: Turn, ch 2, hdc in same st and next 9 sts, sl st in next 2 sts.
• Row 42: Rep Row 40 once. Fasten off.

Shape second side of neckline

• Row 43: With 1 strand ea of CA and CB, turn, join with sl st to unworked side of Row 39, ch 2, hdc in same st and next 9 sts, sc in next 2 sts. (12 sts + 14 unworked sts in center + 12 sts on other side)
  
• Rows 44-45: Rep Rows 40-41.
• Row 46: Turn, ch 2, hdc in same st and next 9 sts, sl st in next 2 sts, work 2 sc evenly around sides of next 4 rows, sl st in next 14 skipped sts from Row 39, work 2 sc evenly around sides of next 4 rows, sl st in next 2 sts, hdc in next 10 sts. Fasten off. (42 sts)

Assemble front and back panels

• Position pieces with wrong sides facing to seam on right sides.
• Line up panels and join 2 strands of CB with sl st through both pieces at Row 1.
• Working across long edge from Row 1 towards neckline, line up rows and work sc seam through both sides of rows of both pieces until 7″ (18 cm) remains unworked. (You can find a tutorial for working a single crochet seam here.) Fasten off.
• Rep across other long edge, leaving top 7″ (18 cm) of long side of ea piece unseamed for arm opening.
• Join 2 strands of CB with sl st at top shoulder.
• Working across short edge across shoulders, line up sts and work sc seam through next 12 sts through both pieces.
• Working only across back panel, sl st in ea of next 14 sts, leaving neck open.
• Continue working sc seam through next 12 sts through both pieces. Fasten off.
• With yarn needle, weave in ends.

© 2016 Marie Segares (Underground Crafter). Published with permission on Oombawka Design.

Marie Segares is a crochet and knitting designer, teacher, and blogger, and the Proprietress of the Underground Crafter. Please visit her at one of the following links:

Facebook | Pinterest | Website

Or, check out her profile and additional Guest Posts on the Oombawka Design Contributor Page.

On behalf of the Oombawka Design readers, and myself, I would like to Thank Marie for sharing this information about the charity Wool-Aid, Inc. and her free pattern for a Child’s Ombré Pullover Vest. This is Marie’s last scheduled post with us for 2016. Thank you Marie for helping us to find so many Crochet Charities to work with and for providing us with projects we can use specifically for these charities. It has been a joy working with you and learning from you. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and patterns with us!

Check out these 20 free crochet patterns from her collection: Marie Segares | Underground Crafter | Designer Spotlight

Looking for more other Crochet Charities? Check our listings here: