Have you ever made something for charity? Chances are, you have. Almost everyone who knits, crochets or sews has at some time donated the fruits of their labour to a school or church fete or some other local charity.
If you have been thinking about using your skills for a good cause but don’t know any local outlets for your efforts then here are links to a few UK based charities you may want to consider.
Can you make crochet and knitted clothing and small toys for this charity?
They even have downloadable free patterns to get you started.
Your gifts are then handed out to people in need regardless of nationality, political background or religious belief, in areas such as Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia. Smile is based in Kent.
The knitting appeal for this charity is promoted by Professor Mick Aston, from Time Team, known for his trademark stripy jumpers.
Again, there is a free pattern to download and guidelines of what is most needed. In many countries white is the colour of mourning and sadness so they do ask that not too much white be used. Judging by the pictures, bright colours are very popular.
The address to send your finished clothing is in Twyford but they have many collection points throughout the South of England because National Mobile Windscreens help out by having collection points for them.
If you want to help raise money to help rescue dogs then make something different – a stylish dog coat.
This Derbyshire based charity will send you free patterns by email and then feature a picture of your finished coat in their website. Check out their gallery – it makes me want to get a dog just to dress it up!
They also welcome your spare yarn and buttons.
Everyone knows about Oxfam and the great work their volunteers do in over 70 countries around the world.
What they need to keep this going is money, so if you can knit or crochet items of saleable quality they will sell them in a selection of their many shops around the country. Hats, scarves and gloves in adult and childrens' sizes are good sellers.
They also need blankets to sell at the various Summer festivals taking place around the country. These have proven extremely popular - the brighter, the better! Here's a chance to let your imagination run riot, and all in a good cause.
To find out which Oxfam shop near you can accept your gifts, please email Jackie on jawhitaker@oxfam.org and she will let you know.
Bonnie Babies, Cuddles and Little Angels
These three charities provide knitted or crochet items for premature babies. These little ones are so small that they ask you to use white or pastel coloured fine yarn to make caps and gowns.
Sadly, some of these fragile babies do not survive and each charity provides blankets to wrap them in so that the parents can hold them to say goodbye, and keep the blankets in memory of their precious little one.
Bonnie Babies has a website and free patterns. They are based in Campbelltown, Scotland.
Cuddles also has a website and free patterns. They are based in Burnley, Lancashire.
Little Angels does not appear to have a website yet, but any of the patterns provided by Bonnie Babies or Cuddles would be suitable or you can email marinakohler@ntlworld.com for more information. She is based in Poole, Dorset.
For those who prefer to sew, here is a link to some free sewing patterns that are suitable for any of these charities.
Copyright 2007 Sheena McKinnon