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Special Olympics Stops Scarf Project

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2012 special olympicsMany knitters for the past couple of years have contributed knit scarves to the Scarves for Special Olympics project, which had knitters and crocheters making scarves for participants in the state-level winter games. But the program has been discontinued, with the stated reason being it’s become too popular.

A statement posted on the Red Heart website (the company sponsored the project and produced the yarns that were supposed to be used for the scarves) said in part:

The program became so popular that donations outpaced the number of Special Olympics winter athletes and supporters. It was as important to us, as we know it was to you, that each and every scarf made it into the hands of the intended recipient – an athlete or supporter – something we cannot ensure going forward, due to the high volume of excess scarves. Special Olympics will distribute the extra scarves received in 2012 during the 2013 winter games season.

I’m sure this is a disappointment both to the knitters and to the athletes, who I’m sure loved to receive the scarves. Of course it doesn’t mean that individuals, or even the individual states, couldn’t decide to continue the tradition without the backing of Red Heart. In fact, that’s how the whole thing started. It was one state, Idaho, back in 2009 that decided it wanted to honor Special Olympians with scarves, and the project snowballed from there.

I don’t think knitters would have protested if the excess scarves had been, say, given to homeless people in the various states, or auctioned or sold to benefit Special Olympics. It’s a shame to see such a fun project halted because of its success.

Did you ever knit for this project? I’d love it if you’d spill your thoughts on its end.

Comments

  2. I wondered about the US Olympic committee thing too. The timing was a little too coincidental. I’ve been knitting and crocheting scarves for them for many states since the beginning and am sorely disappointed. It was a nice community and it was nice to see pictures of the athletes wearing the scarves and reading about their special olympic experience. I will really miss doing this. Don’t get me started on the US Olympic Committee’s kerfluffle with Ravelry.

  4. I knit one for my Niece for the past couple years. It has been fun to have her wear one made by one of her fav Aunties.

    Sorry to see it come to an end. I think it brought more awareness of the program. We will have to try another angle.

  5. Our knitting group does many projects for charities and we enjoyed seeing how many scarves we could get done by a certain date. We will miss not doing the scarves this year and are disappointed.

  6. Our knitting group is disappointed that you do not want scarves this year. We enjoy doing projects for charities.

  7. I am definitely upset that this has been discontinued. What did it hurt to have too many scarves made ? I would not have cared if the excess scarves were given out to homeless or donated to other organizations, or even if they would have set up a booth and sold the extra scarves to benefit the Special Olympics. I also don’t see what it could possibly have hurt Red Heart to be the sponsor – they obviously sold a ton of yarn because of it. I do think that being the sponsor, they should have had some type of coupon system associated with it, but I imagine that would have been too much to ask !!

    It seems that a large problem was people waiting until the end to send their scarves in – if that is a problem, them move the deadline back a bit so it’s not such a crunch to get them in and distributed – leave at least a month between the deadline and the last time the scarves could be distributed – it’s not that difficult !!

    I hope they will bring it back. I’m sure the athletes enjoyed receiving the scarves as much as many of us enjoyed making them. I think it’s way past time for many of these organizations to take a look at the benefits of people’s generosity and not at how much work it creates for them !!

Have you read?

10 Dishcloth Knitting Patterns for Christmas Gifts That Will Actually Get Used

There’s something rather lovely about giving a present that doesn’t need batteries, a size exchange or a cleared space on the mantelpiece. A little stack of knitted dishcloths might sound humble, but choose beautiful cotton, add a ribbon and tuck in a wooden kitchen spoon, and suddenly you’ve got a thoughtful handmade Christmas gift.

They’re also a sensible option when your gift list is growing faster than your available knitting time. There are no sleeves to finish, no measurements to discreetly extract from relatives, and no enormous project bag taking over the sofa.

These dishcloth knitting patterns for Christmas gifts include festive motifs, candy-cane stripes and textured designs that can stay beside the sink all year. There’s a mix of free and paid patterns, with options for newer knitters and anyone ready to try a little colourwork or cabling.

Candy Cane C2C Dishcloth from Handy Little Me

The free Candy Cane C2C Dishcloth turns simple garter stitch into a cheerful Christmas present with alternating red and white stripes. It’s knitted corner to corner using increases and decreases, making it a useful next project for someone who has mastered the knit stitch. I like this one for a batch of matching gifts because the stripes provide the decoration without a separate picture chart to follow. Wrap a couple around a wooden spoon for a small kitchen present with plenty of festive charm.

Christmas Stocking Dishcloth from Daisy and Storm

The free Christmas Stocking Dishcloth creates its stocking motif with knit and purl stitches rather than multiple colours. That makes it appealing for knitters who enjoy a picture emerging row by row but would prefer to avoid managing extra yarn. Choose a solid colour so the texture gets its moment; busy variegated cotton could hide those details. The instructions are available on the website, with an optional paid PDF for anyone who prefers a printable copy.

Christmas Bell Mosaic Dishcloth by Melissa Mann

The paid Christmas Bell Mosaic Dishcloth has a festive bell design worked with knit and slipped stitches. You use one colour at a time, which makes it an inviting introduction to mosaic knitting for someone ready to move beyond plain cloths. Written and charted instructions are included, and the finished cloth measures approximately nine inches square. I’d choose two strongly contrasting cotton colours to keep that little bell looking crisp.

Make It Shine Dishcloths from DROPS Design

The free Make It Shine Dishcloths combine stripes and texture in a coordinated collection. The suggested red, off-white and dark beige palette feels Christmassy without needing a Santa motif on every square. At approximately 26cm square, these are a generous option for a kitchen gift bundle, particularly for a recipient who likes useful household presents. They would suit a knitter comfortable following stitch patterns and changing colours who wants several cloths that look good together.

Linen Dishcloth from Studio Knit

The Linen Dishcloth has a woven-looking texture that makes a practical little cloth feel quite special. It’s worked flat on straight needles, with free instructions on the website and an optional paid printable pattern. This is a lovely choice for knitters wanting to explore slip-stitch texture, and for recipients whose kitchen colours don’t involve Christmas red. I’d make a coordinated set in cream, sage and a soft neutral so it feels right at home long after the decorations come down.

Christmas Tree Dishcloth by Melissa Mann

The paid Christmas Tree Dishcloth offers two chart options: a tree with a living-room scene and a version with a plain background. Its mosaic construction uses knit and slipped stitches with one colour worked at a time, so the picture looks more involved than the colour handling actually is. Written instructions accompany the charts, which is handy if you like having both formats available. Choose this one for the friend who starts planning their Christmas decorating before anyone else has put away Halloween.

Cotton Diamond Dishcloth from Crucci

The free Cotton Diamond Dishcloth is a good option when you want the gift to feel handmade without being overtly seasonal. The design features diamond detailing and uses one ball of Crucci Pure Cotton 8ply with 4mm needles, producing a cloth approximately 23cm square. It’s worth considering for knitters who prefer a single-colour project with decorative texture. The digital pattern is listed as a free product that you add to your cart, so allow for that download step before settling into your knitting chair.

Nordic Dishcloth from Knit Picks

The free Nordic Dishcloth by Allison Griffith brings cables into the Christmas gift basket. The cable design incorporates both knit and purl stitches, creating texture on both sides rather than leaving one side as an afterthought. This is the one I’d suggest for a knitter who wants some cable practice in a manageable project. A rich green or creamy cotton would give it a cosy winter look while keeping it useful throughout the year.

It’s the Season to Relax Cloths from DROPS Design

The free It’s the Season to Relax Cloths offer textured designs in a soothing palette of blues and greens. Each cloth measures approximately 24cm square and is worked in DROPS Paris cotton using 4.5mm needles. They’re a good choice for knitters comfortable following a texture pattern who want a Christmas present with a quieter colour scheme. Make a small coordinated stack for someone who appreciates handmade kitchen accessories but doesn’t necessarily want holly and reindeer beside the washing-up bowl.

Grandma’s Dishcloth from PepperKnits

The free Grandma’s Dishcloth is a familiar corner-to-corner garter-stitch design with basic increases and decreases. It’s beginner-friendly and uses approximately 60 yards of worsted-weight cotton for an eight-inch cloth, making it a useful option for small gift sets. The page also includes an optional printable gift tag featuring a traditional religious poem, which may suit someone on your Christmas list. For a recipient who loves simple, old-fashioned handmade things, this is a lovely place to start.

Choosing Yarn for Your Christmas Dishcloths

For a cloth intended for washing dishes, I’d start with a washable cotton yarn in the weight specified by the designer. Check the ball band for care instructions, especially when combining colours, and remember that different patterns use different amounts of yarn.

Solid shades are particularly helpful for knitted pictures, diamonds and cables because they let the stitch detail show. Save the colour changes for striped or mosaic designs where they’re part of the pattern.

If you’re making several gifts, finish one cloth before buying yarn for the whole batch. You’ll get a much better feel for the finished size, the fabric and whether you actually enjoy knitting that repeat. A pattern can be beautiful and still be something you only want to knit once.

Making a Little Stack Feel Like a Proper Present

Two or three coordinating dishcloths make a lovely small gift. Fold them neatly, tie them with cotton ribbon or string, and add a handwritten tag with the yarn’s washing instructions.

For someone who enjoys baking, tuck the cloths into a mixing bowl with a wooden spoon and a favourite handwritten recipe. For a neighbour or Christmas host, pair them with a tea towel in a complementary colour. You don’t need to add much; the knitting is already the thoughtful part.

And do tell the recipient to use them. Handmade dishcloths have a habit of being declared “too nice” and disappearing into a drawer. These are little gifts made for everyday life—even the bit involving the washing-up.