Do you enjoy knitting to help others? Are you looking for charitable projects for your knitting group, church group, or organization? Many large hospitals collect donated hats and caps for women going through chemotherapy.

Fun With Fiber- Knit Felted Hat

It is tempting to want to go right to the bold and cheery colors that you think will brighten their day. While there is nothing wrong with that, hospitals tend to receive a lot of those caps in a rainbow of colors.  However, there is also a demand for more muted cap color tones.

It might not occur to us that some of these folks enduring chemo treatments are also maintaining some kind of career or work life. A traditional gray, pinstriped suit might not be well accentuated by a hot pink hat with bright orange and yellow flowers on it. There is a real need for neutral colored hats in browns, creams, and grays as well as darker colors and black tones.

Free-knit.com offers a variety of downloadable free knitting patterns for hats that are the perfect basis for your knitting undertaking.

• Solid patterns offer a nice, basic knit cap look that is quiet and understated. Consider the Arctic ribbed hat and the Chunky Rib Trio set.
  

  Arctic Ribbed Hat

• Multicolored styles of patterns can be okay if they are still utilizing more neutral colors. Soft beiges or grays would look great in the Shaker rib hat pattern and the Lofton hat & mittens.
  

  Shaker Rib Hat

• Subtle patterns within the knitted stitches can add some dimension to a darker toned pattern. Shown in bright purple, the Big Needle scarf set would still look delicate and feminine in a neutral dark color.
  

  Big Needle Scarf Set

Check with your local hospitals and cancer treatment centers to find out what are the chemo hat and cap needs of your community.

There is nothing more inspirational and motivating than helping others in a time of need. Getting friends, family, groups, or organizations together that have a love of crafting for an important cause can be very rewarding.

Summer Bootees & Bonnet

‘CLICK for Babies’ is working to spread awareness of Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) with their Period of Purple campaign. Baby caps of varying shades of purple, along with pamphlets and other information are distributed at hospitals throughout the nation. The goal is to spread awareness of Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS). Free knitting patterns  for baby can offer some easy to follow, downloadable patterns for such a cause.

These caps will be worn by newborn infants so 13 to 15 inches is the ideal size. Yarn should be washable and soft to the touch for baby’s sensitive skin. Keep in mind, the colors of the hat need to be at least 50% purple. Any shade purple or color combination is fine.

The Woven-Stitch baby set includes a hat pattern that would make a sweet little newborn cap for this organization. Save the other parts of the pattern for your next baby knitting project! The Bouncing Baby layette is another free baby pattern set that includes a hat that would be quick and easy for this campaign.

Bouncing Baby Layette

This Booties and Bonnet set is a precious addition to any layette with a hat fit for an adorable newborn. More details and guidelines for CLICK for Babies hat donations can be found here.

Knitting for babies and infants is a heartwarming craft. Helping others at the same time makes it a worthwhile endeavor. Don’t hesitate to download a few free baby blanket knitting patterns and cap patterns and use your knitting skills to help out those in your community. Everyone benefits when you do. To find out how you can get involved and help with the Period of Purple campaign, click here.

Congratulations!  A new little one has arrived in the lives of family or friends.  How about creating a beautiful baby afghan for him or her as a memorable keepsake?

You have perused the many wonderful free baby blanket knitting patterns at free-knitpatterns.com and you know just the pattern to download.

Baby Blocks Blanket

Perhaps it is the sweet Baby Blocks blanket or the adorable Bundle of Joy afghan. You may even have an idea for colors.

Bundle of Joy Baby Blanket

But what yarn will you use?

Today, there are so many different yarn textures and weights, colors and materials, it can be overwhelming. You may have time-tested favorites.  Your knitting friends may have suggestions as well.

What are some traits you are looking for?

• Soft to the touch; of course you want something that will be soft and cuddly and not irritate baby’s ultra sensitive skin. Caron® Simply Soft and Peter Pan Merino Baby DK are great choices, perfect for baby blankets and sweaters for newborns.
• Easy Care; you want these baby items you have lovingly created to be around for a long time so it is crucial that they hold up when laundered. Cascade Yarns® 220 Superwash® and Ewe Ewe Yarns Wooly Worsted brands are designed to hold up well wash after wash.
• Variety of colors; Bernat® Baby 90% Acrylic and Cascade Yarns® Cherub Baby are just a couple of brands with both traditional and unique pastel shades to choose from.

With the perfect free baby blanket knitting pattern and just the right yarn choice, you will be able to create a family heirloom for the newest arrival!

Summer has arrived and many parents are seriously trying to limit the time their kids are spending on electronic devices by looking for outdoor activities. But what about rainy days or long car rides? This may be the time to develop a hobby for you and your young knitter!

Big Needle Scarf Set

The craft of knitting is growing and rapidly engaging those of a younger age. Knitting has real benefits because it requires concentration and the use of fine motor skills. More importantly, it gives young knitters a sense of accomplishment to create something with their own hands. It can be hard to find patterns that appeal to young knitters and also that cater to their beginning skill levels. At Free-Knit.com, you can download dozens of free knitting patterns for scarves that meet both of these challenges.

Depending on the type of yarn that is used, different types of scarves can be worn all year long. You can find a lot of different styles in winter clothing knitting patterns. Textured blocks scarf patterns are a good way to practice different types of beginning stitches as well.

Download several beginning free scarves patterns and have kids choose someone special to make a scarf for. Or, perhaps they can choose a local shelter to donate one to? Kids can even start their own knitting clubs and collectively come up with charitable projects or fundraising plans. Newer knitters can also benefit from something like the big needle scarf set to help with dexterity of beginner projects.

Explore the advantages of incorporating knitting into the rest of your summer activities and see what kind of creativity your young ones can unleash!

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