[ggmomliz]

I joined here in January so I don't know what is done near the holidays. A couple of years ago I joined an internet challenge to knit or crochet at least 50 infant hats and donate them to a local hospital. I can't remember where the challenge originated as it was forwarded to me.
Would the knitters here be interested in doing one this year? It can help use up small balls of yarn and being small they don't hang down in your lap and make you hot, even in summer. If we start now it's less than 3 per week.

 

[impatient knitter]

I joined here in January so I don't know what is done near the holidays. A couple of years ago I joined an internet challenge to knit or crochet at least 50 infant hats and donate them to a local hospital. I can't remember where the challenge originated as it was forwarded to me.
Would the knitters here be interested in doing one this year? It can help use up small balls of yarn and being small they don't hang down in your lap and make you hot, even in summer. If we start now it's less than 3 per week.

Sure, gg, I would be interested! A few years ago, I crocheted 64 infant hats for some charity that would send them to South Africa. Apparently, many infants die there because they don't have adequate head coverage. They also wanted you to write a letter to Obama, encouraging him to assist in funding for these unnecessary deaths. When it came time for me to send my hats, I was told they only wanted ONE hat, plus my letter to Obama. So, I called every hospital within a 100-mile radius of where I live in CT, and was told (in no uncertain terms!) that they had their "local knitters" and wouldn't have a use for my hats!

That sort of turned me off from making any more. But if you know of a hospital that would be receptive, I would be more than happy to participate with you!!

....gloria

 

[crafty old broad]

That is a great idea. Something else I do for Christmas time that helps with scraps is for our unfortunate furry friends at the pounds and shelters. I knit little pouches and stuff them with catnip. then tie little pieces of yarn around them. It takes such a little bit of yarn and no time at all to make. For the dogs I try and knit a few rugs. Usually I wait for Johann's 50% off coupons and get cones of cotton. I also use the scraps from wash/dish cloths. They are thick enough to prevent the cold from the cement floors making little paws cold. They are also washable. You can actually use about any yarn. And they don't even care is you have a different color every row. lol I think it helps make their little lives a bit more pleasant in an unpleasant situation. Especially the abused animals. This isn't a challenge, just passing on something I like to do.

 

[crafty old broad]

what a terrible experience. A few years ago I joined with a group of knitters in Boise Idaho and we knit almost 1,000 wool helmet liners for the soldiers fighting over seas. I thought that was a wonderful idea. Kind of my way to say thanks.

 

[ggmomliz]

Sure, gg, I would be interested! A few years ago, I crocheted 64 infant hats for some charity that would send them to South Africa. Apparently, many infants die there because they don't have adequate head coverage. They also wanted you to write a letter to Obama, encouraging him to assist in funding for these unnecessary deaths. When it came time for me to send my hats, I was told they only wanted ONE hat, plus my letter to Obama. So, I called every hospital within a 100-mile radius of where I live in CT, and was told (in no uncertain terms!) that they had their "local knitters" and wouldn't have a use for my hats!

That sort of turned me off from making any more. But if you know of a hospital that would be receptive, I would be more than happy to participate with you!!

....gloria

That sort of thing really sours you on donating. I donate to Northcrest Hospital but I would think
that a Children's hospital would love them. Is Shriners' Hospital one you might consider? Since they do not charge families they should welcome donations. Still need to contact first, of course. If you decide to go with them there might be something that they need even more.
One place I will NEVER donate to again is St. Jude in Memphis, TN. I contacted them about 10 years ago about bookmarks and sent close to 200 from my cross stitch group and was never even thanked. I had to contact them to make sure they had arrived and was simply told yes.

 

[run4fittness]

Sounds interesting. I make hats and scarfs all the time. Usually adult size though. Would need to find out the difference in size.

 

[jersgran]

our baby hospital here is glad to accept with gratitude as many hats as we knit. I donated some to a nearby town and they thanked me and said very few people donate to them. Try the Preemie Project. I have been donating to them for a few years, Send to them and they send to hospitals all over the US. Click For Babies asks for purple newborn hats every November and the Heart Association asks for Red hats preemie and Newborn. Just go on the website and follow their guidelines and you can make hats 24/7 that will be gratefully received. Don't stop being kind because of one rejection. Can't please everybody all the time, but as you read here, there is a great need out there for whatever your heart desires to make.

 

[sophie11]

In West Michigan there are ladies called the Santa Clause girls. They take any hats and mittens they can get.

 

[grammyx10]

Our local hospital always wants baby hats, booties and blankets. Each newborn receives these. Plus I knit hats for cancer patients. They need them year round, but especially during the winter.

 

[mombr4]

Sure, gg, I would be interested! A few years ago, I crocheted 64 infant hats for some charity that would send them to South Africa. Apparently, many infants die there because they don't have adequate head coverage. They also wanted you to write a letter to Obama, encouraging him to assist in funding for these unnecessary deaths. When it came time for me to send my hats, I was told they only wanted ONE hat, plus my letter to Obama. So, I called every hospital within a 100-mile radius of where I live in CT, and was told (in no uncertain terms!) that they had their "local knitters" and wouldn't have a use for my hats!

That sort of turned me off from making any more. But if you know of a hospital that would be receptive, I would be more than happy to participate with you!!

....gloria

That is a shame. I think the guidelines of accepting donated knitted items through the years has changed a lot. Many places who use to accept them no longer do.
There are many who still do, many through charities. I know Stitches of the Heart has local people through the country who accept both knit and crochet items or you can send directly to them.
as many have mentioned they donate locally or to different hospitals. I guess it all depends on where you live.

I think you have a great idea, if lined up ahead of time with one who will accept them.

 

[leftturnonly9825]

Sure, gg, I would be interested! A few years ago, I crocheted 64 infant hats for some charity that would send them to South Africa. Apparently, many infants die there because they don't have adequate head coverage. They also wanted you to write a letter to Obama, encouraging him to assist in funding for these unnecessary deaths. When it came time for me to send my hats, I was told they only wanted ONE hat, plus my letter to Obama. So, I called every hospital within a 100-mile radius of where I live in CT, and was told (in no uncertain terms!) that they had their "local knitters" and wouldn't have a use for my hats!

That sort of turned me off from making any more. But if you know of a hospital that would be receptive, I would be more than happy to participate with you!!

....gloria

I always look for homeless shelters, or clinics that deal with drug addiction. Here in the Boston/Cambridge area, they've always accepted my knitted pieces with gratitude.

 

[Com]

In West Michigan there are ladies called the Santa Clause girls. They take any hats and mittens they can get.

I'm from Kalamazoo, I'll have to look them up!

 

[Ochosi]

Another idea is twiddle muffs for facilities caring for dementia patients. There are a lot of patients that could be soothed if more made and donated twiddle muffs.

 

[Geebart]

I am kniting hats for the Angel Tree kids in my home town.

 

[flhusker]

I'd love to join in. My biggest challenge would be where to donate them as our local hospital doesn't want them and I simply can't afford the postage to send somewhere else or the gas to drive them to another town.

 

[susanmjackson]

For those looking to donate locally, you might try the churches in your area. I knit a lot of hats and scarves from my leftovers and give them to the outreach ministry at church. They use them for homeless survivor bags and for Holiday bags for the low income school children. In the warmer months I make washcloths that they put in the homeless bags and give some to the local cancer center.

 

[Bosslady]

Would it be possible to donate the items to some homeless shelters? Some unfortunately have families with small babies. Or just increase size to fit young children?

 

[cafeknitter]

I joined here in January so I don't know what is done near the holidays. A couple of years ago I joined an internet challenge to knit or crochet at least 50 infant hats and donate them to a local hospital. I can't remember where the challenge originated as it was forwarded to me.
Would the knitters here be interested in doing one this year? It can help use up small balls of yarn and being small they don't hang down in your lap and make you hot, even in summer. If we start now it's less than 3 per week.

Great idea! However I couldn't compete. I'm knitting quite a bit slower due to bilateral rotator cuff surgery.

 

[nancyannin]

That is a great idea. Something else I do for Christmas time that helps with scraps is for our unfortunate furry friends at the pounds and shelters. I knit little pouches and stuff them with catnip. then tie little pieces of yarn around them. It takes such a little bit of yarn and no time at all to make. For the dogs I try and knit a few rugs. Usually I wait for Johann's 50% off coupons and get cones of cotton. I also use the scraps from wash/dish cloths. They are thick enough to prevent the cold from the cement floors making little paws cold. They are also washable. You can actually use about any yarn. And they don't even care is you have a different color every row. lol I think it helps make their little lives a bit more pleasant in an unpleasant situation. Especially the abused animals. This isn't a challenge, just passing on something I like to do.

One of the ladies at our church has us knitting hats for PatPat's Hats (http://www.patpatshats.com/ ). She leaves a donation box at church, and when she gets a boxful, she mails them to the charity. PatPat's Hats sends the hats to hospitals all over the country. They will accept any size or style of hat - can be sewn, knit, crocheted, purchased - but they must be new.

 

[The Reader]

I joined here in January so I don't know what is done near the holidays. A couple of years ago I joined an internet challenge to knit or crochet at least 50 infant hats and donate them to a local hospital. I can't remember where the challenge originated as it was forwarded to me.
Would the knitters here be interested in doing one this year? It can help use up small balls of yarn and being small they don't hang down in your lap and make you hot, even in summer. If we start now it's less than 3 per week.

I'm interested. Would we be making them for your local hospital?