Have you ever thought about knitting for charity? If you are a knitter, knitting for charity can definitely be fun, but it can also be one of the most soul-satisfying things you'll ever do - in your spare time, that is. <grin>

But to get involved with charity knitting, are you wondering where to start? Is there a need? Are there resources available to learn about knitting for charity?

All these questions -- and much, much, more -- will be answered in these pages!

Let Me Introduce Myself

Hi, I'm Nellie the Knittin' Nut - or at least that's how my best friends refer to me. They're right, of course - I could probably safely say I'm obsessed with knitting, and especially knitting for charity.

I'm NEVER just sitting still - in front of my computer screen, watching a movie, even driving in my car, my knitting is ALWAYS on my lap, or in my bag beside me. (Don't worry, I let my hubby do the driving!)

And knitting for charity is in my bones. Here's how I got started:

Several years ago, I spent a winter with my hubby in a little cabin in the middle of nowhere while he worked on a special contract job. He had to work 'graveyard shift,' which meant that he slept most of the day.

And me? Well, there wasn't much for me to do, so I took up the knitting I'd learned a few decades earlier. I decided to knit hats for all my children, who were young adult snowboarders at the time.

Well, that took about two days. :-) So then I knit them each another one. And then a friend suggested that my kids weren't the only people who'd like a knitted hat, so I knit a few for the local shelter. And then another friend suggested that those same kind of hats were in demand for 'preemie' babies... and when I delivered a bag full of knitted preemie baby hats to the local hospital, they told me about another local program that desperately needed knitted slippers... and when I delivered the slippers....

You get the picture! There's SO much need for charity knitting out there, I've never let up to this day! And charities can use all the help they can get... so I've created this website to hopefully show others how to knit for charity!

What You'll Find Here...

In short, you'll find the answers to just about ALL of your questions about knitting for charity - how great the need is, the variety of projects you can get involved in, what kinds of yarn to use, how to save a ton of money knitting for charity... and much, much, more!

So explore these pages - all about knitting for charity - and I'm sure you'll find something you'll want to get started knitting right away!

If you think you can be too young to knit, check out these third graders knitting for charity

If you're visiting this site, you're probably interested in knitting for charity. And if you're a charitable knitter, you probably have a vested interest in charities: what they need, how they get it, and who supplies them.

But the simple fact is that most charities start with a single person deciding to take a small step forward. For example, Free The Children started when twelve year old Craig Kielburger heard about children who had to work instead of going to school. He held a garage sale, donated the proceeds, and now, a decade later, Free The Children has built hundreds of schools in third world countries.

Continue reading "Children Knitting for Charity" »

Posted by Nellie at 11:05 AM | Permalink

We all make knitting mistakes. The trick is knowing how to fix them

There are so many knitting mistakes that it's impossible to list them all here. You know what I'm talking about. You're knitting along, happy as a clam (a clam with knitting needles, that is) when you spot a huge gaping hole in the middle of your beautiful afghan. What to do? Are you really going to have to scrap the entire project?

Well, maybe. But before you do that, try out these handy solutions to the most common knitting mistakes.

Continue reading "Fix Your Most Disastrous Knitting Mistakes" »

Posted by Nellie at 10:59 AM | Permalink

Sooner or later, most knitters decide to learn how to crochet

Well, fairly difficult, as it turns out. Of course, once you know how to knit, it's a lot easier to learn how to crochet. But even an experienced knitter might blink at reading a crochet pattern -- all those abbreviations and strange patterns. Remember what PSSO looked like when you first started knitting? Bet you didn't think it meant "Pass Slipped Stitch Over!"

So if, like me, you decide you want to learn how to crochet, it's best to start small. Get yourself a crochet hook and a ball of yarn, and start the way we always advise beginning knitters to get going: with a single square.

Continue reading "Learn How to Crochet" »

Posted by Nellie at 10:54 AM | Permalink

If you feel like you're stuck for new knitting ideas, think about learning how to knit crafty items!

It took me forever to figure out how to knit my first sweater. I was so proud of it, too, even though the arms hung down to my knees. It was the first non square shaped item I'd turned out.

I've come a long way since then, but I still get into a rut now and then -- knitting fifteen pairs of mittens in a row, for example, or getting stuck on afghan squares for charity. That's why I was so excited when I found all of these great ideas about how to knit fun and unusual items -- so excited that I just had to share.

Continue reading "Go Beyond the Sweater - Knit Craft Items" »

Posted by Nellie at 10:45 AM | Permalink

Learn how to knit gifts for any age group -- from a newborn baby to Great Uncle Ted

When you first learned how to knit, you probably didn't think about all the fun you'd have making your creations for others. You probably didn't anticipate how much work you'd put into them, either, or how irritating it would be when someone didn't appreciate it. I have a rule: never put hours and hours of sweat and blood into a knitting gift unless you're 100% positive the recipient will love the result.

Fortunately, I've spent many years learning how to knit the perfect gifts for every age group. My husband and kids are sick of getting the same old thing year after year, so I've had to branch out. But for my friends and extended family, I always stick to the same pattern: quick, easy gifts that make a statement. Curious yet? Great.

Continue reading "How to Knit Gifts They'll Love" »

Posted by Nellie at 10:40 AM | Permalink

very own!

I've always loved knitting blogs. They're great ways to connect with fellow knitters, learn new tips, and find interesting pattern ideas. The best blogs are the ones that teach you something in a fun and engaging way. That's what I try to make my blog, and I hope you all get something out of it.

But what if you're just not satisfied with the knitting blogs available? Fortunately, there's a simple solution: you can make your own! It's easy, straightforward, and very rewarding. Even the techno novice can create a knitting blog to remember -- with, of course, a little help from yours truly.

Continue reading "How to Make Your Very Own Knitting Blogs" »

Posted by Nellie at 10:35 AM | Permalink

You won't have to put away your needles for spring with these free knitting patterns!

There's always a rush of searches for free knitting patterns in autumn. The cool weather makes people naturally think of warm, cozy knits. But what about spring and summer? Do you usually store your needles and yarn away for the warmer months? You shouldn't -- not with the beautiful spring knitting patterns available online!

Continue reading "Find Free Knitting Patterns" »

Posted by Nellie at 10:22 AM | Permalink