Crafting for a Cause: How Knitting and Crocheting Can Benefit Charitable Organizations

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There’s a special kind of magic that happens when we take something we’ve made with our own hands and give it to someone in need. Whether it’s a blanket to keep them warm, a toy for a child, or simply a listening ear and hug, crafting for charity can be incredibly rewarding. In this article, we’ll explore a few knitting and crochet charities out there who are making a difference in the world. We’ll also look at what makes these organizations so special and how you can get involved!

Image above: Source – Getty Images

Crafting for a cause is a great way to use a craft you love to make a difference in the world. Whether you’re an experienced knitter or crocheter, or are just starting out, there’s a charity out there that could use your help.

Knitted Knockers

Founded in 2011 by breast cancer survivor Barbara Demorest, the mission of Knitted Knockers is to “connect volunteer knitters and crocheters with breast cancer survivors to offer free Knitted Knockers to any [person] who wants them.”

According to BreastCancer.org, 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime and men’s risk is about 1 in 833. Many of those people will have a mastectomy as part of their treatment and that’s where Knitted Knockers comes in. Medical-grade prosthetics can be uncomfortable during the healing process. So Knitted Knockers connects makers to survivors, and provides free patterns to knitters and crocheters with helpful videos and tutorials to make soft, comfortable prosthetics.  

Learn More: Knit and Crochet for Breast Cancer Survivors

Knit the Rainbow

In April 2020, when Austin Rivers learned of the lack of nonprofit organizations providing support to LGTBQ+ youth facing homelessness in NYC, he turned to knitting as way to give back. That’s when Knit the Rainbow was formed, and its impact was immediate. In 2020/21, the organization collected 3800 handmade winter garments and distributed 2314 of those pieces to homeless LGTBQ+ youth living in New York City.

Supporting youth in NYC is just the first step. Knit the Rainbow plans to “not only serve New York City, but to eventually provide winter protective garments to homeless LGBTQ+ youth across the country.”

There are several ways knitters and crocheters can get involved with Knit the Rainbow. And volunteering is easy. They accept garment donations, monetary donations, they’re also looking for designers to create patterns for people to make, and more.

Learn More: Winter Warmth for LGBTQIA+ Youth

Project Linus

Since the mid 1990s, Project Linus has been wrapping critically ill and traumatized children in the warmth of handmade blankets. From the first blanket made by Karen Loucks and donated to Denver’s Rocky Mountain Children’s Cancer Center, the organization has grown to “an estimated 80,000 volunteers.” The donations have stacked up to more than 8 million blankets!

Through the Project Linus website, you can find local chapters to stitch for your community. You can also learn about where to donate materials if you’re not a maker yourself. Plus, find drop-off locations for donations and chapter events.   

Learn More: Yarn for the Giving: Project Linus

Dress for Success

Founded in 1997, the mission of Dress for Success “is to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and the development tools to help women thrive in work and life.” In 2022, the organization is celebrating its 25^th anniversary and serving more than a million women worldwide.

If you have gently used hand-knit or hand-crocheted garments, consider donating those pieces to Dress for Success during a donation drive. You can use their affiliate tool to find a location near you. That’s what the Interweave team recently did!

During Covid shutdowns, our time in the office was limited and we found ourselves with a backlog of garment samples that needed to be returned to designers. We reached out to those designers and suggested donating the pieces to Dress for Success Denver. Their response was gracious, and we were able to send 16 gorgeous handmade garments to the organization. In her thank you note, Amara Martin the executive director for the Denver affiliate said, “It is because of donors like you that we are able to fulfill our mission and provide essential employment services to women in Denver.”

Local Organizations

Not all organizations have the national awareness they deserve. Smaller groups in the community, doing the work, may not have enough web traffic to get them up in the rankings when searching topics keywords like “crafting for a cause.” If you’re looking to get more involved closer to home, revise your search term. Use phrases like “knitting charity near me” or “crochet charity near me.”

Think outside the box, too. Many organizations not directly related to the craft community value our handmade goods just as much! For example, do you live in a cold climate that has refugees from a warm climate? Reach out to donate hats, mittens, scarves, and sweaters to those who may have never experienced a harsh winter.

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There really is no end to the ways we can use our passion for craft to give back to others. We welcome you to help us grow our list of organizations in need of support. Please add links to groups doing good in the comments below.

Originally published 6/9/2022. Updated 11/21/2022.

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