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Giveaway: A Charity Guide for Knitters

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Enter to win a copy of this great charity knitting book

Congratulations to MaryAnn.

One of my knitting-related resolutions is to knit more for charity this year. In particular I’m interested in knitting for preemies, since my daughter was one, but in general I just want to be more generous with my knitting for all sorts of people (and animals) who might need it.

This first giveaway of 2016 will help a charity-minded knitter get started or continue on their giving journey. It’s a copy of Knit Along with Debbie Macomber: A Charity Guide for Knitters.

The book is a guide both to what to knit for charity and which charities to knit for, including 18 projects and 14 charities to choose from (the book is a few years old, though, and information may be outdated, so always check websites or call to determine current needs and where to send items).

In addition to the book, I will probably throw in a gift of yarn that could be used for charity knitting. But it’s a surprise, so you’ll just have to win to see what you get.

If you’d like a chance to win this one, leave a comment on this post before the end of the day Sunday, January 10. I’d love to know if you currently do any charity knitting and who you knit for, or if you’d like to start, what cause you’d like to contribute to.

Thanks for visiting, commenting and sharing, and good luck!

Comments

  2. I am knitting hats and booties to go in gift baskets that are donated to new mothers at a local shelter. I am a beginner knitter/crocheter so these small projects are a perfect way to improve my skills and do something worthwhile at the same time. I hope to work up to making blankets soon!

  8. I haven’t knitted for a while, but, would love to get back into it and help a good cause or two.

  9. I have been knitting scarves, hats and fingerless gloves for about five years for different charities and will continue to do so. I like to try new patterns to see if I like.

  10. I am just about to start knitting and crocheting for heavenly gowns uk. For angel babies that are born sleeping.

  12. I like the knitting for preemie idea too, would like to do for local area, must check into it.

  14. I Crochet hats for children at St Jude childrens research hospital in Memphis TN. My daughter is a patient. I started making hats while waiting for her during treatment and appointments. I have been able to personally give many of the hats away. I try to use the softest, best quality yarn I can because their heads are so tender ( and hairless).

  15. I like to knit for babies and every year at Christmas in our town I donate to the giving tree.

  17. I relocated the last couple of years and did prayer shawls but have stopped. Would love to get back to knitting for charities. This would help!

  18. I’ve been told to give up crochet which rather ruins my buisness so this year I want to use my cotton yarn stash to knit/crochet (when my hands allow) for the local hospital maternity ward, hats. scratch mitsm booties and blankets,my bunnies are CE Cert and I want to give them to babies who are being separated from their mummy too.

  19. I have done some charity knitting here and there. I just sent off some red hats for babies for the Valentines Day Red Heart campaign. This book is a great idea for all knitters.

  20. It’s been awhile since I’ve knitted but would enjoy starting again. I would like to knit for children (or animals) or those with Alzheimers who are so lost and insecure.

  21. I volunteer at a homeless shelter, providing knitting needles (dozens can be found at our local goodwill industries thrift store)and yarn to teach the homeless how to knit hats and scarfs. The response has been wonderful.

  22. I knit shawls and lap robes for my church. I also knit hats for the homeless and scarves for the women in group homes. I knitted hats for the VA hospital.

  24. I had a go at making penguin jumpers last year! I like keeping my hands busy and would love some good ideas for projects that, when finished, would benefit someone else.

  25. I like to knit wool hats and such for our active military over seas. I also knit for our veterans, and for babies.

  26. Our knitting class is currently knitting baby hats for the hospitals in the area. I would like to “branch out” a little bit, and get some ideas of where their talents could also be shared. A few years ago, I knitted some scarves for the WWII vets, but I know there are a lot of charities that need help. Thank you so much for this great reference book!! Have a wonderful New Year!!

  27. I knit premie caps for babies at Johns Hopkins Children’s center and every once in a while I throw in a blanket

  28. Knitting for a charity also brings so much joy to both those who receive and those who give.

  30. I always wanted to knit and crochet for charity, but didn’t know where to look. I love Debbie Macomber’s books and am sure this one is a great one.

  31. Would love to win this and start knitting more and this book would be the perfect incentive!

  32. I recently finished my first afghan for veterans. Would love to win this book, but what a great resolution, our knitting club rallies together when someone has a charity or a friend in chemo!

  34. What a fabulous idea for a book! I’m a big fan of yours! It’s important to serve others – I do in many different ways – seeing, knitting, crocheting.

  36. I used to knit squares for the KAS charity but have let it slip. This year I intend to knit for local baby units.

  37. There are some great ideas from readers here. Knitting for charities sounds like such a great idea regardless of what or for whom. My church does blankets for babies and young children.

  38. I have knitted and crochet hats for premies! The NICU is always so appreciative! This year I would like to do gloves or socks for homeless.

  39. I’ve knitted some Micro Preemie Hats for the Trisomy 18 Foundation in memory of our daughter, born an Angel withTrisomy 18 (Edwards Syndrome).

  40. I knit hats, scarves and mittens for the local collection. I also sew Christmas stockings to be filled and shipped to the soldiers.

  42. I knit for the church mitten tree and donate knitted scarves to put in gift baskets. I am also knitting hats for my daughter in law’s mother who is undergoing chemo. I pray as I knit and hope the love and care find someone who needs it.

  43. I have sent squares, tops and hats to the Knit A Square charity. I would like to know of other charities that need knitted items.

  44. I haven’t done charity knitting in the past but would like to get started. I would like to know more about charities that could use knitted items.

  45. what a great collection of information all in one place, thx for the giveaway offer, love her stuff

  46. sorry hit enter too soon in error, I have done hats for neonatal unit and made some hats for some friends going thru chemo. I am on disability myself so I have lots of time to help others with warm soft gifts

  47. I knit hats for babies, hats and mittens for the local library’s hat and mitten tree or for the seamen’s institute. I would love to win this giveaway.

  48. I knit burial gowns for preemies and also knit and crochet various items (hats, cat toys, amigurumi and loads of other items) to sell in the gift shop of the nonprofit exotic animal sanctuary we run.

  49. I have done charity knitting in the past and I do have a few charity groups I’m associated with right now. I really enjoy it, because I love making items, but I can’t possibly use them all!

Have you read?

Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern – A Cozy Little Gift Project With Old-Fashioned Charm

There is something wonderfully nostalgic about a pair of handmade bed socks, isn’t there? They are practical, pretty, and just the sort of project that feels like it belongs beside a cup of tea, a good film, and a basket of wool that is pretending not to be overflowing.

This vintage Bed Socks knitting pattern is one of those sweet little patterns that still feels useful today. Originally from the Jaeger Hand-Knit Series No. 44, the design features a simple garter-stitch foot, a ribbed cuff, eyelet holes, a crochet chain tie, and little tassel-style pom-poms at the front. The original pattern even describes them as “a very acceptable present,” and honestly, I don’t think much has changed there.

These would make a lovely handmade gift for someone who is always cold, someone recovering or resting, or anyone who appreciates a bit of old-fashioned comfort. They would also be beautiful as a Mother’s Day gift, a winter birthday present, a Christmas stocking filler, or a “just because you deserve cozy feet” project.

The pattern itself is delightfully simple in construction. The socks are knitted flat, beginning at the lower edge, with the foot worked in garter stitch before moving into the ribbed upper section. The decorative eyelet row allows for a crochet chain cord to be threaded through, and the finishing tassels give the socks that charming vintage look. The top edge is finished with a row of double crochet, which adds a neat handmade touch.

The original measurements list the socks as approximately 10½ inches from the top to the lower edge of the heel, with a 9¾ inch foot length, and the pattern notes that the size can be adapted. As with many vintage knitting patterns, modern knitters will want to check gauge carefully and choose a soft yarn that feels comfortable against the skin. A cozy wool blend, soft acrylic, or washable yarn would all work depending on whether you are making these for everyday use or as a special gift.

I especially love that this pattern has that “giftable” quality without being a massive project. It is small enough to feel achievable, but still special enough that the finished pair looks thoughtful. And let’s be honest, handmade socks with pom-poms are always going to beat a last-minute candle from the supermarket.

The PDF version has been cleaned up and formatted for easier reading while keeping the original vintage design intact. It also includes a modern pink mockup image and the original vintage scan, so you get both the historical charm and a fresh idea of how the finished socks could look today.

If you enjoy vintage knitting patterns, cozy handmade gifts, or quick projects that feel useful rather than just decorative, this sweet little bed socks pattern is a lovely one to add to your collection.

You can find the Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern PDF in the CraftGossip Etsy store.

For supplies, this is also a nice stash-friendly project. A soft yarn from Mary Maxim or Amazon would work well, and if you make pom-poms regularly, a small pom-pom maker is one of those inexpensive tools that saves a surprising amount of fiddling.