Knitting For Charity: June/July 2021

Our monthly round-up of the charities that are calling out for knitters just like you to lend a helping hand. From innocent’s Big Knit campaign to a raffle held by Knit For Peace and Francis House’s Virtual Knit Off contest that launches very soon, there’s plenty for you to take part in.

Francis House Virtual Knit Off contest!
If you have been waiting for something crafty and creative to do then Francis House Children’s Hospice has the perfect activity for you! Having stocked up on your craft supplies and with your knitting needles at the ready, it is time to take part in the charity’s Virtual Knit Off contest. Whether it’s colourful combinations or character knits, Francis House wants you to send them your pictures of your proudest piece of knitting or crocheting and you could win a prize!
It costs just £3 to enter a photograph and there are five fun categories to choose from:
1. The natural world
2. Cuddly soft toy
3. Novice knitter
4. Beautiful baby item
5. Attractive accessory

How to take part:
Entry to the Francis House Virtual Knit Off via www.francishouse.org.uk/knitoff
Opens on 1st July 2021 and closes at midnight on 31st August 2021. This gives you plenty of time to get creative and when you are ready, submit a photo with the name of your piece along with an entry fee of £3 per entry, per category.
Shortlisted entries will be displayed on the website from 7th September and the public can vote on their favourite until 21st September. Winners will be announced on 23rd September. All money raised from entry fees will help towards the £12,900 needed every day to provide respite care, homecare, sibling support, bereavement and emotional support and end of life care to children and teenagers with life-limiting conditions and their families.

Stitches of Support
The Nightingale Cancer Support Centre is launching a community project called Stitches of Support calling for people from all over the UK to knit small 20cm squares inspired by anything that brings them joy. Squares will then be joined to create blankets by The Nightingale Knit and Natter Group for those going through active cancer treatment. For more information on how you can join The Nightingale’s Stitches of Support community project and help spread a little happiness, visit nightingalesupport.org.uk/stitch

Woolpower!
It’s that time of year again… The Age UK Innocent Smoothie bottle hat campaign has begun! Get knitting and crocheting your characterful little toppers, and Innocent will pop them on a smoothie bottle and donate 25p to Age UK for every behatted drink sold. The money goes towards things like lunches and classes at your local Age UK centre. Be as creative as you like and visit ageuk.org.uk for patterns and inspiration to get you started. Ask your local Age UK shop to find out their deadline for receiving hats and drop them off there if it’s open. Or post them to Age UK, The Big Knit, Fruit Towers, 342 Ladbroke Grove, London, W10 5BU

Raffle Fun!
You may already be familiar with Knit for Peace, one of the biggest and best-known knitting charities, which distributes donated knitted goods to those in need. What you may not know is that they also run a monthly raffle! Anyone can enter for the chance to win all sorts of goodies, perfect for yarn lovers. In May, tickets were £15 each, with the first-place prize including 16 hanks of Malabrigo wool and two pairs of KnitPro Karbonz needles! Each month’s raffle closes on the last day of the month. Visit knitforpeace.org.uk/raffle to enter and follow them on social media (IG: @knitforpeace, FB: @knitforpeaceuk) to see what’s up for grabs next!