It’s no surprise that crocheters love to give. After working for hours, days, or weeks on a project, what can be more fulfilling than to give it away to someone in need?
We all want our handmade projects created with loving hands to be appreciated and to make a difference. This guide will help you find a place to donate your crocheted item crafted with love.
When donating to a charitable organization, it’s important to follow the organization’s guidelines so that your project will go to the best use. This list includes guidelines for all organizations as well as how to donate your handmade items.
1. Binky Patrol
Binky Patrol began in 1996. After helping raise money for a local battered women’s shelter, the founder was inspired to provide homemade quilts to help children and others.
You can learn more about the history of Binky Patrol on its website. Now the nonprofit organization has over 160 chapters and an estimated 20,000 volunteers.
Binky Patrol collects new handmade blankets that can be crocheted, knitted, sewn, quilted or fleece tied. You have a lot of freedom in the pattern you choose.
Blankets can be as small as 3 feet square and as large as twin bed size.
Guidelines for Binky Patrol
All blankets must be soft and machine washable. Use a yarn that can be dried at a high temperature since most shelters and hospitals will machine dry the blankets.
Blankets must be smoke free and cannot include religious messaging.
How to Donate to Binky Patrol
To donate your items, look first for a local chapter that is accepting donations. If you do not have a local chapter, you can always start one.
You can also find a charity on your own that is accepting donations. And you can mail the donations in to Binky Patrol headquarters.
2. Project Linus
Project Linus began in 1995. The founder was inspired by a news story and wanted to donate handmade security blankets to help children at a local cancer treatment center.
You can learn more about the organization’s history on its website. Now Project Linus has chapters in all 50 states.
The mission of Project Linus is to donate new homemade blankets to children in need. The organization collects blankets locally and donates them to children wherever donations are needed.
Donations of blankets can go to hospitals, social service agencies, and shelters.
Guidelines for Project Linus
Project Linus accepts blankets in all sizes. It all depends on the needs of the local chapters. You can crochet, knit, quilt, or fleece-tie your blanket.
Important requirements include that blankets be new, handmade, and free of pins. As with other organizations, the blankets must also come from a smoke-free home.
How to Donate to Project Linus
Donations should be sent to a local chapter. Project Linus maintains an interactive map where you can look for a local chapter near you.
If you are unable to make a homemade blanket, you can also donate materials to make blankets at chapter events. Starting a new chapter is also possible if you don’t have a local chapter near you.
3. Warm Up America
Since 1991, Warm Up America has provided knit and crocheted blankets, accessories and clothing to help people in need. Warm Up America encourages local groups to take on the project as a local activity.
They provided instructional materials and information. They also serve as a collection point, assemble blankets, and help get them distributed to the homeless and those in need.
Guidelines for Warm Up America
Guidelines include that all items must be clean, finished, and made of yarn. Worsted weight yarn (medium weight yarn) that is a machine washable and dryable acrylic is recommended.
Using this kind of yarn makes the blankets and other items easy to clean. Warm Up America also maintains a page of suggested patterns in knit and crochet.
How to Donate to Warm Up America
Send your completed squares, blankets, and other items to the national headquarters. Warm Up America also maintains a list of current needs.
Send items for the current needs section to the national headquarters to be distributed for particular needs.
4. Knots of Love
Knot of Love began in 2007 and donates lovingly-made hats to cancer patients going through chemo treatments. The organization also donates blankets for premature babies in neonatal ICU incubators (NICU)
Guidelines for Knots of Love
All blankets and beanies must be hand-knit or hand-crocheted. Knots of Love also maintains a list of required and approved yarns that must be used. There is a maker safety protocol to follow as well including washing, drying, and bagging your items.
Crochet hats must be in adult sizes only. For preemies and infants, hospitals are no longer accepting hats. Knots of Love suggests making a NICU blanket if you would like to help a baby.
How to Donate to Knots of Love
Mail your washed, dried, and bagged projects to the Knots of Love headquarters. Or check their list of collection centers to see if there is one near you.
5. Snuggles Project
The Snuggles Project began in 1996 to provide handmade blankets to animal shelters. The Snuggles calm frightened animals, make the shelters more homey, and bring volunteers together.
Guidelines for Snuggles Project
Crochet, knit, quilt, or sew blankets. There are some rough guidelines for blanket sizes. Snuggles Project has a project sheet with lots of guidance.
You can choose your own pattern and yarn (acrylic or cotton). Blankets should be thick and warm. Ends should be double-knotted, fastened off long, and woven in so that the blankets can be washed and dried.
Contact your local shelter for guidelines on their needs. Snuggles also has some tips on educating shelters about the project.
How to Donate to Snuggles Project
The Snuggles Project is a program of the Hugs Society. Hugs maintains a worldwide list of shelters and animal rescues that accept donations.
You can also contact a shelter that is not on the list directly to see if they would like a donation. The Snuggles Project asks that you report your donation using their donation form.
6. Red Scarf Project
The Red Scarf Project started in 2005 and is part of the Care Package Program of Foster Care to Success. Foster Care to Success works with foster your who are going to college.
The Care Package Program provides the college students with two care packages during the school year. Handmade red scarves are included in the Valentine’s Day care packages.
Guidelines for Red Scarf Project
The project accepts scarves between September 1 and December 15 of each year. Scarves should be about 60″ long and between 5″ to 8″ wide.
Each scarf should be in a unisex collegiate style and contain the color red. Different shades of red are acceptable as well as red stripes and multicolored yarns containing red. Scarves should drape well, be soft, and tie easily.
How to Donate to Red Scarf Project
Mail the scarves directly to the Red Scarf Project. Scarves must only be donated between September 1 and December 15 due to limited storage space.
7. Pink Slipper Project
Found in 2009, the Pink Slipper Project supports women and children living in shelters for victims of domestic violence. The project donates handmade slippers and washcloths.
Guidelines for Pink Slipper Project
Slippers can be crochet, knit, or sewn. They do not have to be pink. All slippers must be handmade and warm. Washcloths must be made from cotton yarn.
How to Donate to Pink Slipper Project
The project runs challenges to meet the needs of a shelter. Challenges are primarily run through the project’s Facebook group.
Members comments with what they will make. Then items are sent directly to by members to the particular shelter for the challenge.
8. Warmth for Warriors
Warmth for Warriors has been supporting American military personnel and their families. The organization focuses on donating hand made hats and other items for the military.
Guidelines for Warmth for Warriors
Unlike some other organizations, Warmth for Warriors requires 100% wool yarns for the hats and other projects. A variety of colors are acceptable including reds, blues, greens, purples, browns, black, and tweed.
How to Donate to Warmth for Warriors
Mail the donations directly to Warmth for Warriors headquarters in Michigan.
9. Knit Your Bit
Started in 2006, Knit Your Bit is a project of the National World War II Museum. The project collects hand knit and hand crocheted comfort scarves to donate to veterans.
Guidelines for Knit Your Bit
Scarves must be at least 60” x 6” and made by hand. Machine washable and dryable yarn is required. Use neutral or patriotic colors. The Museum also maintains a list of suggested patterns.
How to Donate to Knit Your Bit
Mail the scarves directly to the Museum. There is also a Community Partner program of local donation centers throughout the United States.
You can see if there’s one near you. Or start your own program.
Add a personal message if you like. Also be sure to send in your personal information on a sperate note. This way Museum staff can add you to their database.
10. Carewear
Carewear began in 1991 as an effort to donate items for premature and low birthweight infants. The organization has grown and evolved and now serves as an information source.
Guidelines for Carewear
You have a lot of freedom as long as you meet the requirements of the hospital or shelter that will receive your donation. All items must be clean and made with machine washable and dryable yarn.
Some items to consider making include preemie baby hats, blankets, kimonos, booties, teddy bears, burial gowns, bibs, incubator-covers, and mittens.
How to Donate to Carewear
Donations should be made directly to local hospitals or shelters. Carewear also provides a list of hospitals accepting donations.
11. Alice’s Embrace
Named in honor of the founders mother, Alice’s Embrace provides prayer shawls and lap blankets to those suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease.
Guidelines for Alice’s Embrace
The organization has developed patterns that all donors must follow. This helps ensure that the shawls and lap blankets are similar.
You can choose your own color and yarn. All yarns must be machine washable and dryable. There is a list of suggested yarns. Wash your item.
How to Donate to Alice’s Embrace
Mail your items directly to Alice’s Embrace. Or you may live near a partnering yarn shop that accepts donations.
12. Crochet for Cancer
This Christian non-profit donates handmade chemo caps. Hats go to cancer centers to help those dealing with hair loss.
Guidelines for Crochet for Cancer
All items must be new and clean. Baby, youth, and adult sizes are all accepted. Hats and items must be made with soft yarn like cotton and acrylic.
Do not use wool or alpaca. They also accept scarves, blankets, prayer shawls, and donations of yarn.
How to Donate to Crochet for Cancer
Place items individually in ziploc bags. You can mail your items to one of the local chapters. Crochet for Cancer maintain an interactive map plus list of local chapters.
You can also contact your own local oncology office to see if they accept donations.
13. Operation Gratitude
The Scarves for Troops program collects handmade scarves and includes them in care packages that are sent to military personnel.
Guidelines for Operation Gratitude
Scarves should be no larger than 4″ to 6″ wide and 48″ to 50″ long. Use more subtle colors for the scarves like grays, blues, browns, olives, and black.
You can also make them in a a red, white, and blue color combination. Stripes or multicolored yarns are also acceptable. Scarves should be suitable to go to both male and female troops. Do not include fringe.
How to Donate to Operation Gratitude
Mail your scarves directly to the headquarters in Chatsworth, CA. Include a note or a letter telling a little bit about yourself.
14. Knitted Knockers
Knitted Knockers provides special handmade breast prosthesis to breast cancer survivors who want them. The knockers are either knit or crocheted.
The knockers are superior to other prostheses because they are lighter weight, more comfortable, and they are donated for free.
Guidelines for Knitted Knockers
The website has all the resources you need to get started on crocheting knockers. Patterns and tutorials are available for how to make the knockers. There’s also a list of approved yarns.
How to Donate to Knitted Knockers
Donate the Knockers to a local collection point. Or send them to the group associated with the primary website in Washington State.
15. Magic Yarn Project
The founder was inspired in 2014 to create wigs for young children going through cancer treatments. The Magic Yarn Project now donates wigs and beanies to the families of children experiencing medical hair loss.
Guidelines for Magic Yarn Project
Magic Yarn projects begin with crocheted beanies. There is a process to follow to get approved as a magic maker.
How to Donate to Magic Yarn Project
Once approved, you can crochet 30 different character beanies plus make wigs. There’s also a facebook group for approved magic makers.
16. Mother Bear Project
The Mother Bear Project provides hand-knit or crocheted bears to children affected by HIV/AIDS in emerging nations. All bears are sent to countries in Africa.
Guidelines for Mother Bear Project
All bears are made from the same patterns. The patterns were chosen because they are lightweight and easy to send.
How to Donate to Mother Bear Project
Completed bears can be dropped off at certain locations. Or you can mail them in to the headquarters in Minnesota.
17. Knit-A-Square
Since 2008, Knit-A-Square has been collecting handmade squares. The squares are assembled into blankets to be donated in the townships in South Africa.
Guidelines for Knit-A-Square
Knit or crochet a square that is 8″. You can use a pattern of your choice. It is preferred that the square be fairly solid rather than lacy. Package up your square following the packaging instructions.
How to Donate to Knit-A-Square
Send your squares to South Africa following the mailing instructions. Knit-A-Square will take care of the rest by assembling the squares into blankets and donating them.
18. Knits for Kids
Knits for Kids is a project of World Vision, a Christian humanitarian organizations. Gifts of crocheted items go to children in Africa, Asia, Central and South America, and the United States.
Guidelines for Knits for Kids
Use a free pattern from Knits for Kids or choose your own pattern. The organization accepts caps, sweaters, and blankets in baby and childrens sizes. Acrylic yarns are preferred.
How to Donate to Knits for Kids
Send your items directly to the Knits for Kids office in Pennsylvania.
19. Project Robby
Project Robby provides parents who have lost a baby with something special to hold onto. Crocheters can donate hats, blankets, angel wings, embellishments, and handmade pom-poms.
Guidelines for Project Robby
Project Robby provides guidelines on project colors. They are primarily looking for projects in white and traditional baby colors. Crocheters can choose their own patterns for hats and blankets.
How to Donate to Project Robby
You can send your items directly to Project Robby’s address in Kansas.
20. The Peyton Heart Project
The Peyton Heart Project has a mission of raising global awareness around suicide, bullying, and mental health issues.
The project was inspired by several stories including that of a 13-year-old boy named Peyton James who died by suicide in 2014.
Guidelines for the Peyton Heart Project
You can crochet hearts by hand. You must attach the tags from the Peyton Heart Project without altering them. The organization provides resources for patterns for making the hearts.
How to Donate to the Peyton Heart Project
Scatter the hearts in public places where people can find them in their everyday lives.
21. Local Organizations
You can also always look for a local organization that is accepting donations. I’ve been a member of the prayer shawl group at my church for many years. And we’ve made donations in a variety of ways in the local community. You can do the same.
Over the years, our group has moved beyond prayer shawls and lap blankets to also making baby blankets, hats, and bibs, and hats and scarves for the homeless. We donate them within the church community and also to local charity organizations. If you look around, you should be able to find organizations that are in need of donations near you.