Do you know there is a Charity Challenge going on here for knitters and crocheters? There is still plenty of time to make something up and enter to win a prize. Any item you’ve made to donate to a charity project between November 1 and December 31, 2011 earns you an entry in the prize drawing. Check out the contest page for more details on how to enter.
We’ve got some great prizes lined up and today I have the privilege of announcing another: a $20 gift card to Norajane on Etsy.
Owner Mollie makes adorable rubber stamps and pillows. I own several of her wonderful stamps, including my own set of the sheep pictured (of course!), and I was also excited to learn that she’s based in Cary, NC. We’re neighbors! One lucky winner will win $20 to spend in her Etsy shop.
So are you eager to enter now or what? I’ve been delighted to see some entries come in already, but I know you are capable of even more, so here are a few ideas to jumpstart your efforts.
Got wool? Knit for Kids in Central Asia or Canada (wool)
The awesome folks at Wool-Aid team up to provide warm wool hats, socks, mittens, blankets, vests, and sweaters to children who need them in Tibet, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and Canada. Information on their ongoing efforts as well as requirements and mailing address can be found on the Wool-Aid website or at their active Ravelry group.
Make Warm Hats for U.S. Navy Sailors (superwash wool)
Those of you who are based in the States may be interested in supporting the troops. Hats for Sailors is on a mission to provide handmade hats to sailors serving on ships in the U.S. Navy. Hats must be machine washable wool (superwash). Information on their project can be found on their blog or at their Ravelry group page.
Make a Square, Help Warm AIDS Oprhans in Africa (any yarn)
KasCare’s international Knit a Square project teams up to make, collect, and distribute blankets and garments for children in South Africa who have lost their parents to AIDS. Even if you have a busy schedule, you can fit in time to make one square, right? Find full details on knit-a-square website. If you want some more inspiration and ideas, you may enjoy checking out Robyn’s blog, minimalist knitter, and seeing photos of all her cheerful squares.
Send Scarves to Comfort Victims of Abuse (any big yarn)
Handmade Especially For You is working to provide a handmade scarves to women in California shelters to honor their bravery in leaving abusive environments. They have teamed up this holiday with the charity organization of actor Alexander Skarsgard to provide a scarf to every woman in the shelters in southern California, which means they need 15,000 scarves by December 29. They ask for scarves to be made on big needles or hooks (15-17 or K, N,P) with soft yarn. Dimensions should be 4-5″ wide by at least 60″ long. Look for details on Skarsgard’s website.
Prefer Animals to People? Make Security Blankets for Homeless Pets (any yarn)
Animal shelters around the world are in need of blankets to make their spaces a little more friendly and warm to the cats and dogs that pass through. If you love animals, this is a great way to use up odds and ends or practice new techniques (the animals don’t care what it looks like!). Snuggles Project offers lots of information about how to get started, including a pattern for an adorable cat blanket that uses fun fur (seriously, fun fur). Based on the photo of the recipient on the webpage, cats love fun fur. Who knew?
So what are you waiting for? Get started! I can’t wait to see what you make!
