In my case, I eventually slowed down on the crocheting I was doing, because I didn't need any more things for myself and Christmas only comes once a year. Then Kathy Niccum introduced me to Soldier's Angels, which takes handcrafted items for active-duty or wounded soldiers. Since then, I have found a world of places that take crafts to help those who are hurting in one way or another. There are prayer shawls and red scarves for foster children going into college having been cut loose from their foster families. There are hats and baby blankets for premies and afghans for the elderly in nursing homes.
If you can't find a home for your handiwork, you can get suggestions from Knitting into the Mystery: A Guide to the Shawl-Knitting Ministry by Susan Jorgensen, Knits from the Heart: Quick Projects for Generous Giving by Kristin Spurkland, or Knitting for Peace: Make the World a Better Place One Stitch at a Time by Betty Christiansen. For more inspiration (and to have a place that will distribute your work to needy people), check out www.crafty-angels.blogspot.com. The earliest posts at this website listed the charities that they serve.
On another excursion into Crochetland, I ran across the 60 Scarves in 60 Days Challenge. You'll find it mentioned in several places online, but I found the rules here: http://crochetwithdee.blogspot.com/2009/09/6th-annual-60-scarves-in-60-days.html. No shipping on this one. You pledge your work to a local charity.
Happy crafting,
Kathi Linz
Thank you for mentioning the 60 Scarves in 60 Days Challenge, Kathi! :)
ReplyDelete2010 is the 7th year for this Challenge -- and it has grown so much that I now have all the participants posting information about their charities, their favorite patterns or stitches, and the total number of scarves already created over on Ravelry.com -- just look for the 60 Scarves in 60 Days group!
The 2010 Challenge continues until the end of November so there is plenty of time to crochet or knit a scarf (or more) for your own local charities :)
~Dee Stanziano