Community Projects - Click here so we can count your donations!
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Over the years, Windy City Knitting Guild members have been generous with their time and talents, creating many articles for charitable organizations. We have knit, crocheted, sewn, and quilted for babies, children, young adults, the elderly, our military, the homeless, and shelter animals. If you are looking to combine your love of crafts with the satisfaction of giving to others in need, please consider knitting for charity.
Information on how to submit charitable donations will be coming soon. Please label your items with fiber content and washing instructions. Each year the Windy City Knitting Guild board and its members select local and other organizations that are in need of hand-made items. If you have an organization which collects knitted or hand-made items, please feel free to contact us at info@windycityknittingguild.com. |
A small sample of our Charity Knitting
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In 2023, we are knitting for the following organizations:
Wool-Aid is a community of knitters and crocheters who create warm woolen garments for children who live in the coldest climates and have the least access to resources. Wool-aid works with organizations that put the human imperative first; that provide aid regardless of the race, creed, or nationality of the recipients; and that do not use aid to further a particular political or religious viewpoint. Priority is given to helping populations where washable items are neither required nor recommended.
Contact Karen H. at wckgnewsletter@gmail.com to arrange drop off of items.
Contact Karen to drop off anytime.
Their mission is to provide the very neediest children with wool socks, sweaters, vests, mittens, hats, and blankets. Please see the Wool-Aid Guidelines. The Wool-Aid brochure is available in PDF format for easy reference.
Check out their Ravelry group for current needs
- Garments should be, a minimum of 80% wool, and no thinner than DK weight yarn.
- Why 80% wool? The children they help live in the very coldest conditions. The children often depend on warmth from open fires. Non-wool fibers are more flammable and may melt onto the skin if they come in contact with fire
- The children have much less protection from the elements. Wool will stay warm even when wet. The children we help need protection from the wind as well as the cold. Regular wool’s fibers (the ones that allow it to felt) form a denser fiber than non-wool fibers, and denser than superwash wool, too
The Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) promotes the safety, dignity and improved working environment for the men and women serving in North American and international maritime workplaces. Founded in 1834, the Institute is a voluntary, ecumenical agency affiliated with the Episcopal Church.
The Seamen’s Church Institute invites you to knit or crochet hats and scarves to warm mariners’ hearts and heads this winter.
- Use machine washable yarn (washable wools and wool blends are preferred)
- Choose colors for men (preferably dark colors)
- Do not embellish the items with fringe, tassels or pom-poms as these items present a safety hazard
Deadline for drop offs is November 20th because these items will need to be mailed.
To arrange drop off please contact: Tina S. at knitters@sbcglobal.net and please put "Christmas at Sea" in the subject line of your email.
Night Ministry is a local organization that wants our help with hats and scarves.
They are accepting donations now for knitted items for both adults and children. No restrictions on fiber (as long as it’s not itchy) and no need for additional safety precautions since they have their own protocols in place. The preferred items are hats, gloves and scarves, but will take other items including a small amount of children’s clothing.
The contact/delivery person can be contacted via email address: amroeser0598@att.net.
This will be an ongoing charity project as this is a year-long distribution to our community homeless.
Elam Davies Social Services Center
Hats, scarves, mittens and other warm items may be dropped off with reception at Fourth Presbyterian Church (126 E. Chestnut) when the church is open as long as they are clearly marked as "Knitting for Simon Crow."
All items should be freshly washed, even if crafted from new yarn. Please send an email to jmischner@gmail.com noting the number of items being dropped off.
The Cancer Wellness Center is located in Northbrook. On their website, they state, “The center’s mission is to help anyone impacted by a cancer diagnosis connect with a welcoming, empowering community of people; navigate the emotional side of a diagnosis; find targeted, individualized programs; and provide resources and highly credentialed health professionals to smooth the journey through cancer.” We have been asked to knit hats for their patients, using the following guidelines:
- Yarn should be soft and machine washable
- Knit hats for adults (small, medium or large)
- All items should be labeled with the fiber content and directions for cleaning the item
Visit the WCKG website or www.headhuggers.org for patterns.
Chicago Street Medicine is a student-run organization at the UIC with the goal of improving the health of Chicagoans experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Health care for the homeless presents a problem on multiple levels, from political and financial to humanitarian, and efforts to deal with these problems are desperately needed. The group’s solution is to develop a student-run street medicine outreach program, where a group of volunteers will deliver basic medical care, health education and social support to those experiencing unsheltered homelessness in Chicago. This solution is doable and has been proven effective in other cities around the world. They are seeking warm knit items to give out to Chicago’s homeless.
- Knit hats, mittens, gloves, cowls or scarves (any sort of warm clothing)
- No restrictions for fiber content (wool is acceptable)
- Knit items for adults (small, medium or large)
Contact directly for more current information.
The Snuggles Project provides warmth and comfort to sheltered animals. Last year many guild members knit snuggle blankets for shelter dogs and cats.
Sizes:
- 14” x 14” for cats and small animals
- 24” x 24” for cats and small to medium dogs
- 36” x 36” for medium to large dogs
Other Tips:
- Use machine washable, cotton or acrylic yarns
- Ends should be double-knotted and fastened off long and woven through the work to prevent unraveling
"Please go to the website to find out where to donate:
https://hugssociety.org/directories/animal-shelters/united-states.html
and fill out a donation form:
https://www.snugglesproject.org/forms/snuggles-donation-report-form.html
WCKG Book Donations to the Sulzer Library
Every year The Windy City Knitting Guild and its members donate knitting books to the Chicago Public Library. While these books become the property of the Chicago Public Library, they are housed at the Sulzer Library branch, where the group sometimes meets. Check out the wonderful selections that are available!