Finding a charity to knit for in 2024
Sometimes you just want to pick up your needles and knit, but you've got no projects on the go, or nothing to make in a hurry. During those times, I enjoy trying out new patterns and knitting up some items for charity. It’s a wonderful way to keep creating as well as knowing that the items are going somewhere they are needed. If you’ve been looking for somewhere to donate your knitted items, or looking for somewhere to knit with a purpose for, here’s just a small selection of places you could consider.
Middlemore Hospital’s Kidz First Hospital (or check with your local hospital)
When I knit for a charity, I spend most of my time knitting for prem and newborn babies at my local hospital Middlemore. The Kidz First part of the hospital helps newborns and their parents through that tough first little while (or long while, depending on the care the baby needs). I make a lot of beanies and booties for the Middlemore Foundation mainly.
Learn more about Middlemore Foundation’s wool programme
It’s worthwhile checking with your local hospital to see if they need anything in particular knitted as sometimes there can be a need for specific styles or sizes that you can sort for them.
Littlemore
Littlemore supports Kiwi families by providing preloved and new items to ensure newborn babies are kept warm and safe. They’re really looking for more donations of knitted items and have a particular need for items sized prem to 12 months. They do welcome all types of knitted and crocheted goodies, including beanies, mittens, singlets, blankets (cot or bassinet), cardigans, and more.
Learn more and find drop off locations
Plunket
Vests and booties are what Plunket needs. And they’ve even got their own pattern on their website for you to download and knit from. So easy! No searching high and low for the perfect pattern.
Find out more on Plunket’s website.
SPCA
If you’re looking for something perhaps a little more challenging, we’ve been told that SPCA are always on the lookout for kitten toys, and for cat blankets. The blankets would be fun things to chip away at in front of the TV, but the kitten toys may take a little more focus.
Learn more about knitting for SPCA
Knitted Knockers
Knitted Knockers are knitted prosthetic breasts for cancer survivors. You’ll need to use nice and soft yarn for this one, and you can knit them in a range of sizes and styles. The Knitted Knockers organisation has patterns on their website, so that’s a great place to start.
Twiddle Muff
If you have plenty of leftover yarn that you need to use up, consider making Twiddle Muffs for your local rest homes. Twiddle Muffs are basically a knitted muff that has several fiddly attachments fixed to it. They’re great for dementia and alzheimers sufferers as it can keep their hands occupied, providing a simple yet effective type of therapy.
Here’s an example of a Twiddle Muff pattern (please note, this link goes to Ravelry).
Buy a Twiddle Muff Materials Kit to create your own Twiddle Muff to donate.
Matakana Animal Sanctuary
In Matakana, New Zealand, there’s an animal sanctuary that often needs warm, cozy nests for injured and baby native birds. They’re also often on the lookout for chicken jumpers and bedding for abused farm animals. I’ve made a chicken jumper before and I can tell you they’re super cute to make. I’d highly recommend.
Learn more about the animal sanctuary
The Little Miracles Trust
This trust supports parents across Aotearoa New Zealand who have had a premature baby go through a neonatal unit. The Trust often needs knitted or crocheted items to provide prem babies with, and all the information and some handy patterns can be found over on their website.
Learn more about The Little Miracles Trust
Now, don’t take this article as a definitive list of the charities you can knit for. There are so many out there. Find something that aligns with you, and get knitting. Or knit for them all a little bit at a time if you like! Do let me know what you’re knitting and where it’s going though. I do love to hear about all the amazing people and causes out there: yarns.co.nz@gmail.com
