From time to time Members ask for help donating items to others outside of our Charity of the Month projects. We can all find time to make just one more item but the more we can donate the better so maybe you can help us if these Special Projects happen in your local area.
If you would like to help any of the following charities/projects please contact me for more details knit4charities@gmail.com
Many of our Yahoo group members have started knitting, crocheting or sewing to help the thousands of people and animals made homeless by the devastating bushfires in Victoria.
We are making squares for blankets that various members are sewing together.
Knit or crochet 25cm/10" squares using 4mm needles or hook and 8ply Acrylic yarn. If knitting use our Preferred Patterns for 25cm/10" Squares found on My Simple Patterns page. If crocheting use any granny square pattern you like as long as it ends up 25cm/10" square.
We are also making pouches for wildlife rescue.
Please use Pure Wool and/or 100% cotton or flannelette fabric (if sewing) for these pouches. Some wildlife rescue groups do take acrylic pouches but it is much safer for the animal to just use pure wool. Please mark you work to indicate that pure wool has been used. There is a basic pattern here Possum-Joey Pouch Pattern.doc Pouches can be from about 10cm/4" square up to the size of a pillow case, with or without a drawstring.
The other items we are making at present are beanies -- sizes from baby to adult any pattern any style both knit and crochet.
Knit4charities Yahoo Group Members can access the addresses to either post or deliver their donations from here knit4charities address list (- you must be a group member to access this page). To join our Yahoo group go here knit4charities yahoo groups Anyone else wanting to join in our collection please email me for more information knit4charities@gmail.com
There are many other knitting groups doing similar things a couple of which have drop off points around the States which may prove more convenient for you. You will find them here handmade help victoran bushfires (Meet me at Mikes blogspot). This site also has some very good advice on what to donate or how to help in other ways. And...... handmade helps out blog
With winter approaching warm items are going to be needed for some time to come. I will be adding items to this list as we hear what is needed most.
If you live in the Rockhampton area and would like to donate to charity please consider giving to either of these two very needy causes.
Items needed for the Shelter - beanies, scarves, bedocks, blankets (adult and child size) and toys
For the Hospital - beanies in all sizes from tiny baby to adult, mittens, socks, booties, tops for children with wider than normal armholes to allow for IV paddles to fit through, small baby crib blankets and larger cot size blankets for older children.
Please email me for more details regarding contacts and delivery.
Recently we have had a lot of requests, from various hospitals, for Chemo Caps. This prompted one of our members to tell us about her Daughter Christie and her quest to find comfortable headwear when she was receiving Chemo treatment.
Chemo Hats - brochure.pdf Tells Christie's story and shows you the beautiful headwear she has created for sale.
If you know of anyone in a similar situation you might like to print off the brochure and pass it on to them.
You may also like to knit or crochet a chemo cap or 2 and offer it to your local hospital Oncology unit.
Our Member Cassie, lost a baby last year and has asked us to help the Wollongong City Council's annual Baby Memorial Service held at the Crematorium in March by donating a Teddy to be given to the Wollongong Hospital's Birthing Unit.
Our wonderful members donated over 30 Teddies to this special project.
This is an annual event so anyone interested may consider making a teddy or two each year for the Service held in March.
Tony, a long standing member of knit4charities, lost his Mum to cancer at the beginning of September. Her favourite colour was Purple and she asked people attending her funeral to wear something purple.
We, as a group, had decided to knit some purple squares to be made up into a rug/s and given to Mt Druitt Palliative Care Unit as a tribute to her and thanks for the wonderful care they give to all of their patients.
The squares are to be made of 8 ply acrylic, machine washable wool or novelty yarns using our Preferred Square Patterns -- 25cm square. The pattern is on My Simple Patterns page.
We are also making Chemo Caps in shades of purple to be given to hospital Cancer Care Units.
This project will become a permanent one on our August Charity of the Month Calendar for future years in rememberance of all of our family and friends who have been taken from us by this horrible disease.
This organisation operates in the Illawarra area and is run by Borge Rassmussen. His group of volunteers have a couple of vans that run around the area and basically help anyone in need. They can distribute anything from tiny baby clothes to adult sizes, blankets/rugs and toys. If you can help them in any way please contact Borge by phoning 4226 5770