Knit with purpose - help animals as you cast on and off!
| Knit, crochet or sew with purpose - do it for animals The idea for this page came to me thanks to my Auntie Susan. She was in her eighties, living in sheltered housing in New Zealand, and she knitted little blankets for the local animal rescue. They were very grateful to her for her efforts - both pets and humans - and she enjoyed knitting with a purpose. She even got in to the local paper where she inspired others to do the same and do something they enjoyed to help animals. There are lots of ways to help animals and to help the charities helping them. One is to get your knitting needles out and buy some wool, and to get knitting! And you can knit with purpose and help animals as you plain and pearl, cast on and off, work your way through patterns and produce your own knitted goodies that animal charities can use e.g. for blankets in cold weather or goodies which can be sold to raise funds for animals. You could make cuddly knitted toys or blankets. You could also give your local animal sanctuary a call to see if there are any crafts they would like as a way to raise funds, or make items and sell them yourself and give the funds you raise to your local animal sanctuary or rescue. Be inspired... Read about One Woman’s Knitting Passion to Save Australia’s Koalas with the Koala Clancy Foundation.The UK grandmothers who knitted a blanket for a recovering African baby rhino. Here's the link to the Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary Why not join up with a friend/friends who also love knitting or crochet or sewing and work together to knit for a purpose? You don't have to go for same cause - one of you could find yourself knitting for people, another for animals. But it's a great way to have a chat as you knit or crochet and also to learn from each other. And some people find it a great way to relieve stress. Small groups can really make a difference! Get lots of crafters together and you can do great things! So here are some animal charities you can do some volunteer knitting or crafts for. |
| The Donkey Sanctuary: Knit Woolley or crochet Neddy and help improve donkey welfare standards around the world. Click here to trot over to the Donkey Sanctuary's website |
| The Brooke - The Brooke have a Crafting for Brooke page on their website and they also have a Brooke Knitters & Crafters Facebook Group. As they say, "Turn your creativity into compassion" - you'll be helping to change the lives of wroking donkeys, horses and mules! |
| Working Animals International (previously SPANA) has a Big Knit Kit for Vet Kits fundraising pack. It's got patterns for Duncan the donkey, Hattie the .horse, Oscar the ox and Emma the elephant, and you can also crochet Clarence the camel. It also has a sponsorship form, and donation envelope; so all you need to do is get your knitting needles out and select your wool. Click here to trot off for more information |
| The Willow Animal Sanctuary in Scotland are asking people who love knitting to help them! They look after over 450 animals including horses, ponies and donkeys, plus cats and dogs and many reptiles and 200+ farm animals and birds. Simply download their Willow cat pattern and then get knitting! Please use acrylic rather than wool, if you can. |
| Knit your own bittern and help protect Yorkshire's wetlands - wildlife need them. The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust is working to protect, restore and reconnect Yorkshire’s wetland habitats, and they need our help. You need to complete their online form to get a bittern pattern so that you can knit your own knittern (!) and they ask people to make a donation if they can. Find out more here. |
| Cats Protection have a number of virtual craftalong events to give you the chance to learn a new skill while helping to raise vital funds for the charity just by taking part. They'll send you everything you need to get crafty! Find out more here. They also have lots of videos on You Tube to help you! |
| Knit for the Romney House Cat Rescue in Downe, Kent. The knitted blankets, bedding and toys are always needed and appreciated by the cats there. Many cats and kittens take them off to their new homes as comforters while they settle in. Click here to find out more. |
| Crochet a Koala Pouch |
| If you're after some ideas of animals to knit, take a look at Hive.co.uk. They have a number of books you can buy with ideas of things you can knit - including this one, Knit a Mini Woodland. There's also a Knit a Mini Safari, plus books on knitting animal hats and socks, and animal cosies to keep everything warm! Many are on offer, too. Hop to Hive.co.uk here |
| Garden Wildlife Direct has this Pre Filled Nesting Wool Holder / Feeder. The fat ball feeder has been filled with Herdwick wool, so the birds can take the nesting material they need as and when they need it. And once it's empty, you can either refill it with wool or use it as a fat ball feeder - fat balls are great high energy treats for the nesting season and longer! It's £4.99 from Garden Wildlife Direct. (They've also got packs of wool you can buy for your garden birds to use for their nests. Find out more here.) |
| If you're looking to have a fun day, you could take a look at Baker Ross. They have a huge range of arts and crafts materials for all ages and lots for animal lovers in particular! |