Subversive Knitting

Charity Knitting Updates

Yesterday I cleaned out my closet, my sweater armoire, and my box of warm winter accessories that lives in the bottom of the hall closet. I don't need any more knitted clothes. That's what I've decided. I actually decided this when I was putting all of my projects on Ravelry (I'm not done yet) and I realized I was making everything for myself. I like knitting and am often inspired in two ways 1) by a project I would like to have and 2) by a project that has interesting techniques I would like to try. I'll no doubt continue to make one or two things a year for myself, but I just don't have any more room to hoard sweaters and accessories.

As I mentioned on my main blog the other day, I'd like to work on spinning and on knitting-as-art projects, but I also want to do more charity knitting. Sometimes I just enjoy making very simple items that work up quickly, and these are the perfect items for charity donations. I may also sell some of my art projects on etsy or ebay and give the money to charity. I can't help it--I make enough money to pay my bills with enough to spare to remodel my kitchen (with my husband's sweat equity) and to travel to Europe. I just can't get into the mindset that I should do more things to make more money to leave to children that I don't have. Instead, I'd like to help children that are in need right now.

The other day L'Tanya Durante, editor of Black Purl Magazine, and I were talking about how sad it is that we, as a society, just don't seem to care. About anything. L'Tanya said, "Either we don't care enough or we don't believe we could make a difference. But the truth is that if we wanted to stop homelessless, hunger, AIDS, global warming -- we could."

"That's so, so sad," I replied.

Here's L'Tanya's response, wich which I agree completely:

Yep. It is what makes me cry.

I was looking at a Diane Sawyer special a couple of weeks ago. She visited some city in So. Jersey that has 7x the national crime rate and crushing poverty and she told the stories of a few families. People reached out from everywhere and BAM -- some of the kids that were homeless aren't anymore, one family got nominated for the home makeover show, etc.

I was telling my husband that I do believe that people are basically good (sounds kind of Anne Frank-ish, but that's what I believe). So I guess if you tell people exactly what they can do and they can see that their efforts make a difference, they'll gladly reach out. I think that we have been brainwashed to buy into the political system that doesn't give a damn about people and we've forgotten about our own power to make things happen.

I think that the need for personal and private charity is a sign that society and our government is failing us. In a civilized society, there should not be any people who fall through the cracks and who need to receive charity. Our society as a whole -- and that means through goverenment programs that we all invest in with our taxes -- should be working to make sure that all people have a warm home, plenty of nutritious food, adequate medicale care, and a good education. But since American society is failing when it comes to meeting the needs of all of its citizens, we, as individuals, have to pick up the slack. And sadly, we will have to pick up the slack more in the future if the right-wing trends to dismantle FDR's New Deal continue to make this country more about catering to the rich and to corporations at the expense of the rest of us.

Now that the year is drawing to an end, I am making plans to have more time to work on this site next year. I've been so busy this year that I've had to let some of my personal projects sit idle, but I think I've adjusted my workload so that won't happen again in 2008.

To get started, I'd like to kick off with the idea of having a charity knitting party this winter, in lieu of one of your other annual holiday gatherings. If you need help planning a party, I wrote about this in an article in the Holiday Print Issue of Black Purl magazine. This issue is only $4.95US.

Here are some charity and knitting updates to get your creative juices flowing:

Holiday Gift Knitting for Strangers from About.com -- Sarah White asks, "While you're thinking of family and friends you'd like to make knitted items for, might I also suggest you consider doing some knitting for strangers? There are many, many charities that accept hand-knitted items to give to sick children, soldiers, cancer patients, homeless people, and many others who could use a little bit of warmth and comfort." The page has a link to a list of several suggested charities that accept knitting donations.

Knitting for others will warm the holidays for everyone -- Catherine Hollingsworth, columnist for the Anchorage Daily News writes about charity knitting in Alaska. Catherine says, "I encourage you to knit for others during this holiday season. It will give you a chance to work up a simple project, use up that yarn stash and possibly give you an excuse to buy more yarn, that's true. But, more importantly, it's good for the soul." She also lists charities accepting knitted donations.

Holiday Charity Knits? -- Kristie in California blogs about charity knitting and lists an interesting charities she likes to donate to: Knit Unto Others, who holds a holiday charity knitalong every year.

Knit Christmas Ornaments for Charity -- Knitting for charity lists five places that will accept knitted ornament donations. "Want to knit Christmas ornaments? There's lots of great knit Christmas ornaments you can make - easily and inexpensively - for charitable organizations. And what a great thing to do when you're in the Christmas spirit."

And don't forget all of your local charities. Groups in your area are probably collecting gifts for families in need. They ususally get lots of toys, but not very many gifts for the moms and dads who also would like to receive a bit of cheer at this season.