For
Commit to Knit Month 2016, UK hand Knitting has decided to back eight charities by working with our members to put together a collection of patterns to help them.
These patterns are available now in a special supplement included in the new issues of
Simply Knitting, The Knitter and
Simply Crochet magazines and will be added to the UK Hand Knitting website during June. Three patterns are already available online -
Egg cosies for Oxfam,
Preemie Hat for Bonnie Babies and
Tulips for AYME Mums.
The eight charities are:
AYME is the Association of Young People with ME and provides support for children and young people up to the age of 26 and their families. The group AYME Mums, whse children are AYME members, created an awareness campaign last year that asked people to knit tulips. We have created a special crocheted tulip to help them continue their work this year. Visit
AYME Mums' Just Giving page for details or send items to AYME Mums, Tickford House, Silver St, Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire MK16 0EX
Bonnie Babies makes and sends tiny premature clothes and blankets to UK special care baby units and also to parents who need support. Many of our members now do patterns in preemie sizes but we have chosen this easy to knit pattern for you to try. Bonnie Babies, Units 8 & 9, Hazelburn Business Park, Cambletown PA28 6HA
Knit a Square supports orphans in South Africa by providing blankets and items of clothing. We have come up with a blanket square pattern as a great way to use up some of your stash for this fantastic charity. Please send your items to Knit A Square, Private Bag X900, Bryanston 2021, South Africa
Knit for Peace is an initiative of the Charities Advisory Trust. It grew out of projects developed in Rwanda and India, which brought together women of traditionally hostile communities to knit clothes for street children and orphans. The charity also supports initiatives in the UK and our Twiddlemuff is specially designed for dementia sufferers. Please send your completed project to Knit for Peace, Radius Works, Back Lane, London NW3 1HL
Mission to Seafarers cares for seafarers from around the world who need warm clothing. They need balaclavas, scarves, gloves and hats in any colours, and we have selected a hat pattern for the charity. Please send your items to Mission To Seafarers, St Michael Paternoster Royal, College Hill, London EC4R 2RL
Oxfam are always looking for items to sell in their shops or at one of the many festivals they go to so we designed these lovely egg cosies for you. You can take your finished cosies to your local Oxfam shop. We hope you have fun trying out different colour combinations.
Project Linus UK is a volunteer organisation who aim to provide a sense of security and comfort to sick and traumatised babies, children and teenagers through the provision of new home made knitted or crocheted blankets. Our crochet square has a lovely texture and is knitted in an aran weight yarn. Why not get together with your knitting group to make a complete blanket? You can contact your local Project Linus coordinator
here for more details.
The
RSPCA rehomes thousands of animals and they are always looking for ways to help them settle with their new family. Our cat toy would make a perfect gift for one of their cats. Your local RSPCA centre will be happy to accept your donation.
To join in with Commit to Knit month, you just need to commit to make one item for charity during June - make your commitment here - but you can do more by encouraging other people to sign up or by organising an event with a knitting group or a library. You can find out more here.