Since the wildfires in Australia began, it’s been reported that as many as a billion animals may have died, and countless others have been injured in the fires or fleeing the flames.
This tragedy presents an opportunity for crafters to use some of their materials for a good cause. Wildlife rescue organizations use all sorts of handcrafted items in their work, from tiny crocheted birds nests to joey pouches and bat slings.
Not all of these items can be knit, of course, but there are ways we knitters can help.
The Animal Rescue Craft Guild has the latest information on what needs there are and how crafters can help. As of this writing the items in highest need were joey pouches, hanging pouches and animal beds.
Crafty efforts in the United States are being coordinated by American Rescue Crafters Connect, which has a closed Facebook page you can like for the full details, including all sorts of patterns, people in your region who are collecting items to be mailed in bulk, and general discussion and support.
In their files you will find knitting patterns for joey pouches, micropouches and nests, as well as information about what kinds of materials to use (nests are typically made with acrylic yarn, while pouches use natural fibers and are lined with fabric such as T-shirt material. There are also patterns for loom knitting, crochet and sewing all sorts of projects if you like other crafts as well.
The need is great and will be ongoing, so if you’re interested in crafting for a cause this is something to check out. You can also donate funds to defray shipping costs; check the page for details.
[Photo via American Rescue Crafters Connect.]
Word is– don’t send them to Australia right now! “…If you are a member of a global craft guild page that isn’t this page you are on here with this big red image. It is highly likely that we don’t have anything to do with it. It is also highly likely that you or they will end up with a large amount of your products wasted and sitting in your lounge room or shed. Or thrown in the bin.
– The supply is very high, we need to keep managing this centrally. Here with this team.
– We are not taking on the coordination of the inbounds from these new global teams. We already have enough to do. They need to work WITH us to check on supply and demand, not MAKE more work for us.”
I think it’s fine to keep making them, just hold on sending them, yes. But it’s also changing from day to day so checking in on those Facebook groups is a good plan.