Wanted! These charities need your baby knits
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Crafters are a generous community and many makers regularly enjoy contributing handmade projects to good causes. If you’ve always wanted to get involved in knitting for charity or are looking for your next charity knitting project, then look no further than these important organisations in the UK who are seeking knitting donations for babies, made by volunteers.
TIP: Check out our guide to the non-baby-specific charities which would love your knitted garments.
What baby garments to knit for charity
The typical donation request for babies is tiny premature-size garments and accessories such as hats, booties, gloves and cardigans. Knitted baby blankets and toys are also welcomed by some charities. Make sure you check the requirements before you send in a donation. For example, one of the charities we’ve recommended below (Sands), specifically wants white blankets.
Always be mindful of the types of yarn you use, ensure they are safe and comfortable for babies. Check out our guide to the best baby yarn to be sure.
How to knit
If you’re a proficient knitter, you may have previously participated in charity knitting campaigns. If you’re new to knitting, are a beginner or simply haven’t yet built up your confidence in knitting then don’t worry.
Knitting campaigns are a great way to practice your knitting skills and if you need a recap on how to knit, check out our video designed to help you master the knitting basics.
If there’s a local knitting club or group you can attend, they’re a great place to get help from other members, so if you get stuck and need a hand, that’s a good first point of call.
Baby charities looking for your knitting
Get involved! These UK charities need your help and knitting skills.
Charity/Organisation: Bliss
Website: www.bliss.org.uk
Needed: Clothes, blankets and toys
Free knitting patterns: The bliss website features links to free knitting patterns you can download to get started on making projects including a very sweet ladybird hat, jacket and tiny socks.
Location: UK wide
Where to send donations:
The charity itself does not accept donations. It’s recommended that you contact your local neonatal unit, ask them what items they need before you start knitting and then arrange a time with them to drop off your handmade creations.
Charity/Organisation: Warm Baby Project
Website: www.warmbabyproject.com
Needed: Cardigans, blankets, hats, bond squares
Free knitting patterns: You’ll find several free knitting patterns you could use on their website including tiny hats and a teddy.
Location: UK wide
Where to send donations:
The charity has several drop off points across the UK where you can deliver your hand knitted donations. You’ll find the current locations on their Facebook page. They also take donations of knitting patterns – with credit given to you.
Charity/Organisation: Knit For Peace
Over 22,000 knitters have got involved with the vital work carried out by Knit For Peace, an initiative that began as a charity helping women and children living in hostile communities in Rwanda and India. Today the charity distributes ‘knitting where it’s needed’ with donations sent to over 200 outlets, including hospitals, women’s refuges, refugee drop in centres, prisons, community groups, and hospices in the UK and in developing countries and refugee camps.
Website: www.knitforpeace.org.uk
Needed: Booties, jumpers, hats
Free knitting patterns: The site includes a number of patterns but donations are not restricted to these and any donations are accepted.
Location: London
Where to send donations: To cut down on their environmental impact, Knit for Peace asks you to donate locally where possible. If not, you can send your creations to Knit for Peace, Radius Works, Back Lane, London NW3 1HL
Charity/Organisation: Sands
Sands is a charity that aims to save babies' lives and support bereaved parents.
Website: www.sands.org.uk
Needed: White blankets
Free knitting patterns: The charity has a specific pattern to knit a charity baby blanket and requests they are only made using white yarn, to be placed in the memory boxes offered to bereaved families. Make sure to include the form from Sands' website in the box containing your blanket.
Location: East Midlands
Where to send donations: Sands Memory Box Blanket Appeal, c/o Partridges, Eagle Avenue, Magnetic Park, Desborough, NN14 2WD
Charity/Organisation: Needles and Hooks Angels and Preemies
NHAP are a group of knitters and crafters who are keen to use their creativity to make a difference. Anyone is welcome to join their community of volunteers. They currently send out 200 items a week to hospitals in the UK, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Website: v2.droppoint.org/ch/nhap
Needed: Hats, blankets, body warmers, mittens, incubator covers
Free knitting patterns: No specific patterns though there are some suggestions including a premature baby cardigan.
Location: North East
Where to send donations: You can find your nearest drop-off point on the website, or arrange for your knit to be collected from your home.
Related: Looking for more charity knitting patterns? Check out our round-up of other charities that are seeking charity knits.
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