Tuesday, April 6, 2010

On Charity Knitting

I said that I would post about charity knitting when I'd had the chance to gather my thoughts. I sat down and made a list of questions that I'd been pondering over that had to do with charity knitting. I had intended to share them here and get feedback but, after looking over them, I kind of feel that they are the personal sort of questions that you ask yourself to solicit your own thinking. Some I feel that I've answered, others I'm still sorting out. So, I'm not going to post the questions here. Next I typed out a blog post that was essentially about why I knit for charity but it just seemed too personal or contrived or preach-y or something.

What I came to find is that, basically, charity knitting is a personal choice. And, for me, it's become a real defining part of who I am. So I do a lot of it and I talk a lot about it.

Two books that I've read (and love) are Knitting for Good! by Betsy Greer
and Knitting for Peace by Betty Christiansen.
Both books ofter amazing insight into knitting for charitable causes. I especially like Betsy's book because it looks at the reasons behind why crafting is good for yourself and for others and how to use craft to make a statement about your beliefs. I've read her book, Knitting for Good!, 4 or 5 times (and I'm reading it again) and every time I do it pumps me up all over again to knit for others. In August of 2009 Debbie Macomber came out with a charity knitting book that I want to read (reviews of this book are welcome and appreciated).

Some people do Relay for Life, some people feed the homeless, other people may donate to United Way. As for me, I knit for orphans. It's just what I do :)

5 comments:

Knits For Needs said...

Good for you! I love to knit for charity also (obviously:)) and hope that other learn to love it as well. Have a great rest of the week :)

lenoirdenantes said...

I also knit for charity. I try very hard to knit one project for me or my family and then one project for charity.
Earlier this year I was between projects and knit 8 hats for charity in a single weekend. I haven't figured out mittens yet, but that will be part of my charity knitting also.
Karen W. in S.W. OH

Lynn said...

I really want to do some charity knitting. It seems that I have not had a lot of time and now I am planning to make the time! Keep up the good work!

Lynn said...

I agree, knitting for charity is a personal decision. Even the charity we knit for is a personal decision. For me a lot depends on what I'm in the mood to knit. Sometimes I just want to knit and knit and knit w/o having to worry abt a pattern. Those go to the kitty shelters. Sometimes it's a ton of baby socks. Those go to the orphans. I figure as long as somebody can enjoy my knits while I stay sane is a win win all around! :-)

Lost. said...

I'd never heard of knitting for charity before this. It's such a great idea. I also like the fact that you don't make it sound preachy. Something like this should be done for one's own personal reasons. Thanks for the idea!

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