At ImagiKnit, we are very committed to the idea of sharing with the community. As knitters, we have a special opportunity to send both material and spiritual support to people in our neighborhoods, cities, other countries and beyond. Charity knitting is fulfilling for so many reasons. First and foremost, of course, is the contribution. Secondly, charity projects are a great chance to try out new stitches, yarns, colors, shapes, etc., not to mention it's a guilt-free excuse for a new project!
Donating finished garments is not the only way to contribute. Old, unwanted needles or yarn can be donated to jails, women's centers, schools and other groups. Just bring them in and we will make sure they go to a worthy cause (specify if you have a preference). There are also a number of yarns that are hand dyed in cooperatives, the sale of which greatly contributes to the self-reliance of whole populations.
On this page are some charity projects that we support and/or for which we knit.
KNITTING PALS BY THE BAY The Pals came into being with one purpose, to knit chemo caps for Bay Area cancer patients
of all ages. They have now expanded their mission to include other types of patients that lose their hair. Hospitals and clinics from Marin to
San Jose are receiving donated caps for children, teens, and adults. If you are interested in participating, please contact the Pals at their
website at www.knittingpals.org/.
AFGHANS FOR AFGHANSThis San Francisco based charity collects blankets, sweaters,
hats, mittens, etc. and sends them to Afghanistan. Winters there are very harsh and the conditions in refugee camps are grim. Please do not
use any representational images or religious or national symbols. For information, visit the website at
www.afghansforafghans.org.
STITCHES FROM THE HEARTThis group collects hats, blankets, sweaters and booties for
babies, especially preemies, to wear home from hospitals across the US. They accept knitted and crocheted items, and will provide patterns.
We will act as a receiving station and give group members 10% off baby yarns for Stitches from the Heart projects.
www.stitchesfromtheheart.org.
THE WOODYWOOF PROJECTProvides hand-knitted blankets to infants in the California Pacific
Medical Center Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and to children with serious or chronic illnesses. The blankets provide comfort and warmth to the
children and their parents, while the child is in the hospital and at home. The project is named in memory of Woodywoof, who was an animal-assisted
therapy dog for many years and gave great comfort and joy to everyone he met.
Learn more about The Woodywoof Project.
If you like pets better than people, or need to work on something your cat will approve of, try a pet blanket. Blankets make the animals more
comfortable and hence more adoptable. Cat blankets should be machine washable and measure about 12"x 18". Dog blankets should be more like
18" x 30". This is a great way to try out a new yarn, use up the stash, play with stitch patterns etc.
Animal Care and Control, 1200 15th St., San Francisco, CA 94103.
www.ci.sf.ca.us/acc
Peninsula Humane Society, 12 Airport Blvd., San Mateo, CA 94401.
www.peninsulahumanesociety.org
LILYBUGS is a charity group that knits hats and
socks for babies at the Pediatric Heart Center at UCSF Children's Hospital. Lilybugs was formed in memory of Lily Belle Green, who at just
20 months, succumbed to congenital heart disease. These handmade items brighten the clinical hospital environment and help to ease the pain
of seeing one's child hooked to many lines and monitors. Please join us in helping these families by supporting Lilybugs.
www.lilybellegreen.org
“Knit One, Save One,” is a grassroots initiative of the global humanitarian organization Save the Children and the Warm Up America Foundation. The project seeks to engage knitters and crocheters to take action for the 4 million babies who die each year within the first month of life in poor countries. By keeping a baby warm, your cap can save a life. Visit Knit One, Save One for more information and the Warm Up America site for a selection of free patterns.