Sweet Charity
Yo! Bloglines! WTF?!?!
So. Charity Knitting. Norma and I were discussing the other day how it used to be that when she talked about charity knitting the silence was so deafening all she could hear was crickets chirping. And I’ve been trying to figure out why that would be the case.
Basically, I think charity knitting is like any other charity donation and people react the same way as if you’re asking for money. And asking for money, well, that can evoke all kinds of emotions and responses in people. One theory I have is that thinking about charities and people in need can make those of us with so much feel a bit guilty. So we say nothing and pretend that people don’t really need our help. But another theory I have is that maybe people already have charities they support and they just don’t want to support another one. And they don’t feel like they want to tell you that because it will just sound like an excuse so they say nothing. I know I feel guilty when I see commercials on television for St. Jude’s or other charitable causes. I want to contribute to everyone! But, the truth is that I only have so much I can give away and I have a few key charities that I support. I’ve researched them and believe in their causes and that’s where my money goes.
And I’m thinking that maybe the same thing is true for charity knitting. I know there are some people who knit for charity all year long. And I know there are some who will never knit for charity but they’re generous in other ways. I guess the point of all of this (you knew I’d get to the point eventually, right?) is that it really doesn’t matter whether you do or don’t knit for charity. And it really doesn’t matter whether you give money away or not. What matters is how you find your way through the world. For me, I need to give back. See, I grew up in a family that struggled financially. I remember running out of oil for the furnace. I remember seeing our name in the paper for nonpayment of property taxes. I remember food stamps. And now I have much. I have a home with heat and plenty of food. I pay my bills and buy gifts for my children. I have yarn and fiber and multiple spinning wheels. I can afford to give some money away. And I can afford to spend some time knitting for people who will be comforted by my handknits.
I know that many of you feel the same way. I know for sure that Norma does. There are 3 days left for Knit Unto Others if you want to join us. Or not. Do what’s right for you. Find your place in the world. And, please, tell me what you think. I can’t abide the sound of crickets chirping.
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I don’t feel guilty when confronted with charity requests – I feel moved to sympathy and grateful for what I have, and like you I help a few select groups that resonate with me. Tales/pictures of other people’s charity efforts make me glad that someone’s doing a good turn for others, and sometimes inspire me to join in.
And – it’s KNITTING!!! Hello??? It’s KNITTING! Show me the pictures, baby! 😉
I know, for me this time of year, I am so rushed making things for my family that I have felt that I won’t have time. But this year I am going to try and knit a hat over Christmas break (because hopefully the gift knitting is done by now) and send it to Washington. I was reading in the Woman’s Day magazine the other day about sending knitted hats to Washington and the idea sounded like a good one. It is for charity and to get Washington to realize/take charge of the fact that many babies die in the US and elsewhere becaue they don’t have basic necesities like heat.
I am an intermittent charity knitter. I don’t throw out a leftover scrap though…’cause it can always be worked in–somehow!! Excellent X.
I think you are right. Everyone has to find their own way through the world. Finding the right way to give back for each person is so personal.
Katy has a good point…keep the scraps to use. That’s what I do and then make hats out of them. Maybe knitters are reading the posts about charity knitting and then acting…not commenting. As long as there are people willing to give it’s worth the lack of comments. We have over 200 knitters knitting for KUO and you know there are hundreds more than never left a comment. Every item can make a difference. Thanks Carole!
I think maybe it’s a little bit of all of the above. Since I know I’ve got limited time and resources (like 99.9% of us!), I try to pick something I know I’ll be able to commit to over the course of a month or a year – whatever I’m knitting for, and it’s hard to fit in extras sometimes. So, this next year, I’m working on Dulaan stuff and that’s my contribution – not that it’s necessarily more or less worthy than something else. It just happens to be what I picked. 🙂
I always feel torn between spreading charity around through different causes, and wishing I could just make an enormous difference in just one person’s life. I don’t have the means to do both, and sometimes neither. But if I could, I wish I could just secret-santa my ass all over one disadvantaged family and make more than just a little difference…
I love knitting for charity now that I can actually knit. I am grateful for the circumstances that allow me the freedom to do so. Too many don’t have the option, whether the obstacle is time or materials or whatever. I enjoy reading about others’ charity knitting projects, in part because I get some really good ideas. Also because it’s a good feeling knowing so many do give what they can for those in need. Kind of reaffirms the idea that there is goodness in the human species.
No crickets, but a big enormous hug to you, Margene and Norma. I enjoy charity knitting and manage to squeeze some in — one of my favorites from this past year was the fruit hat for the National Breastfeeding Week at the WIC office — that really struck a chord with me. I’m currently working on a RSP contribution to be given Ruth and put into the box at her son’s preschool.
Lots of people, I think, feel that what they do (or don’t do) in the charitable arena is a personal decision that shouldn’t have to be explained to anyone else.
For me, it wasn’t until just this year that I discovered that there were charities that could use knitted items. (Yeah, I’m a little slow on the uptake at times…). I love knitting little kid-size projects, but have no wee ones in my immediate fambdambly. Finding that there are good causes that can use knitted items has boosted my productivity.
This time of year is brutal – when RR and I went to the mall on Monday to finish up our shopping (heh, I had to put that in…*g*), there were Salvation army buckets at each end and in the middle – and all along the way, every few feet there were kiosks set up for different charities. The volunteers who man these booths are not shy, either – one woman practically stalked us. I mean, the mall was quiet and all but she went a bit over the top. Anyway, my point is, walking through the mall at Christmas time has turned into the same type of experience that you get while walking down a NY City street trying to avoid those who are looking for ‘financial aid’ (trying to be PC here). Whatever you do, don’t make eye contact, they get more aggressive. It kinda sucks the fun out of the shopping.
I think you are right. I had given money to the Salvation Army guy (and tried to negotiate a 30 second reprieve in the bell ringing…it didn’t work…) and didn’t want to give to every one of the charities I saw through the mall (and if I had, I’d be bankrupt). However, I also didn’t feel comfortable telling them that I already gave a donation to someone else because it felt like an excuse (though you know my temper, if it weren’t for RR that stalking woman would have gotten blasted).
I LOVE giving and helping others, it makes me feel all tickly inside. I do it when I can afford the money or yarn and effort.
You are so sweet Carol. Good luck with your charity knitalong. Hopefully next year I’ll be able to join in. 🙂
knitting for charity for me is a blessing- cause how many scarves, hats, socks, baby sweaters etc. can a person have- and yet I NEED to knit more and more…- so I am happy I can give!
I am finding many in my knitting group in NYC are very happy to do charity- this year we did, hats for preemies, project linus, we are doing red scarf now, and cancer care chemo caps this weekend.
great excuse to get together chat and knit. try out new stuff and new fibers.
I came up sort of the way you did, cept I remmeber being alone alot of my “older” childhood. Didn’t have a place to live. Don’t think I should bum everyone out here, but I too have more than I ever dreamed of (not haute banc swisse), but enough. Since I’ve only knitted for a year, & have learned the places in need, I definitely have a passion for it. I feel like I got the gift. To learn new skills that will also benefit someone else.
Carol,
I think charity knitting is great – and do as much as I can. I have been working on mittens for your “Knit onto Others” effort. Thanks for doing all this! I have a question, however. I have posted several times on the KOT blogsite, and each time, the post that shows that I posted, is NOT what I wrote. I am totally puzzled? So – I am making mittens, and hopefully you will know that. It’s been a fun effort! Kathy (in Iowa)
For me, the charity knitting began about 4 years ago. Hubby and I were spending time in Boston for our anniversary and we were having a wonderful time walking the city. The whole weekend was magical. It was pretty cold and windy which didn’t bother us; we still walked the whole time, we just bundled up. The only thing that put a damper on the weekend was the sadness I felt everytime we passed a homeless person, freezing on the sidewalk. I started knitting hats when I got home and I have brought them down each year since. We didn’t go this year and I was kind of feeling bad because I hadn’t knit any hats, and then came Rabbitch’s hat drive. I was thrilled to contribute. Now, I plan to try and continue the charity knitting year round. Red Scarf Project now, Dulaan next.
You are right that everyone has to do what is right for them. This just feels right for me.
*mwah* Carole. That is all.
Since I just got back to knitting this past year – I didn’t realize that I could contribute with my knitting talent to charities. I was so delighted to find the Red Scarf Project…and have made 2 scarves so far and am working on another. Two of them were part of your Knit Unto Others week…For me it is finding a project that touches my heart…and the RSP did that this year. And, it has made me feel good about myself in the fact that I am helping others – and that it does not have to be “financial” which sometimes is hard for us.
I am somewhat intermittant with charity knitting, but honestly, the reason I generally don’t join knitalongs or whatever for specific charities is because I am really really bad at getting to the post office and sending things. Seriously, the knitting isn’t the issue. The issue is that the finished item ends up sitting in my house for months because I have some sort of bizarre mail block in my head. So I knit for my mother’s patients – she’s a pediatrician at an inner city clinic and has lots of patients who are recent immigrants from warm climates and have no winter things. So I knit scarves, mostly, and bring them home with me when I visit, and she gives them out. That just works better for me. The reason I like the Knit Unto Others idea is because that works for it, since it doesn’t have to be for a particular group. 🙂
I think another issue is that knitting for charity sometimes seems like too much fun. Because the knitting is enjoyable, I sometimes feel like I should take the money that I would use to buy yarn for charity knitting and give it to a charity directly, because that would be more of a sacrifice. But I guess that isn’t necessarily the point. I just… feel like I’m being selfish, or something. Hmm. Just a thought.
Carole –
I think Cara once said that she is a ‘selfish’ knitter – and I tend towards that way also. When I see some of these charity drives, I think – but I could just give money? My knitting time is very precious to me… but after come personal crap this year – I now ‘get’ why people like to do charity knitting. I ease some of my pain, by knowing my knitting is easing someone elses. And doing the actual act of knitting is so different than just sending money.
For me, it’s theraputic… and I wish I’d learned this years ago!
Of course – I’m wishing now I hadn’t picked the sweater knitted on size 5 needles for my Dulaan sweater!!! Doh!
Carole —
Great post. Great motivating post. Seriously. The only reason I wasn’t participating in KUO was because of the time of year and the fact that between everything else we have going on I’m just overwhelmed. Too overwhelmed to knit most nights. That said, you’re absolutely right about giving a bit of what you do have whether it be money, time, something warm and handknitted so you’ve spurred me onto action. I know there are only technically two days left but maybe I can still squeeze in a sign up under the wire and knit up something warm! Thanks for the thoughtful and provocative post!
The sound of crickets is indeed unbearable, especially when you want to know that you’ve reached people. I think this is a beautiful post.
Great post, Carole. I do knit for charity, as you know. (Sometime I’ll tell you and the rest of the world the story of how I started.) A while back, as he was writing the charitable checks at the end of the year, I remarked to Grant that I felt I should be actually *working* for charity instead of just giving money, and he pointed out that the time we spend working for the money we give counts.
And it does, but making something for charity with my own hands makes me feel connected to the rest of the world somehow, more so if I know lots of other people are doing it too.
I agree with AuntyNin. I think mostly it’s a personal and private thing. A bit like how I see one’s faith.
Norma sucked me in. You know that Norma and those Red Scarves. I was still lurking, but was very touched by the Red Scarf Project. Sadly, I missed taking part for this year’s mailing in Jan. However, this year, I am knitting along.
Being of service and giving back is something I believe in and if I can do it while doing something that I enjoy, I think I kind of have to. Plus knitting hats are addictive. o.0
Oh, and it’s lunch time and I’m sitting here reading blogs and working on a hat. I think Norma would be proud. *L*
I love charity knitting. But sometimes, I get overwhelmed. Sometimes, the sheer number of charities to knit for stupefies me and instead of knitting anything, I just huddle in a corner and hope it will go away. Honestly, sometimes, when I go to a blog and see the call for knitted things for yet another charity, I start having a hard time breathing. They say, Don’t you want to help this orphan child/elderly person/homeless person/cancer victim/Mongolian child/Afghani baby and I do, I want to help. I want to help everyone. And it gets very overwhelming. I really love Knit Unto Others because it’s not knitting for a Particular Charity, but just for any charity. Some people might not like having to come up with a charity to knit for, but I like it.
I think it’s great that so many people address the idea of charity knitting on their blogs. I just start to panic whenever I see a new drive. But that’s my own issue.
I think part of the problem is that people also think maybe the articles wont get used as they should…I’ve heard that many hospitals won’t accept preemie items because of infection issues and that they accept them and then just throw them away…
In a similar story last year I took my red scarf to Einstein Brothers for the drop off. There was a big sign on the door announcing the charity drive yet when I walked in and asked where I should leave my scarf I was met with nothing but blank stares and deer in the headlights glances! I asked to se the manager, same response. I took him outside and showed him the big sign. His response? That’s what that big box with the red scarf on it in the back room must be for! WTF?? So 2 days before the deadline there sat my lone scarf. To this day I wonder if it ever went anywhere but the trash at Einstein Bros! It’s myths and stories like these that turn people off I think. Me, I’m knitting as many scarves as I can (prolly only 2 tho) this year and I will next year and every year thereafter cause like Cece said the actual act of knitting is so different than just sending $$, for me, it’s therapeutic! 🙂
Thanks for chirping Carole!
I’ve been enjoying the charity knitting if for no other reason than that it gives me an excuse to knit stuff that I wouldn’t ordinarily – like mittens and stuff for small kids. The best thing about charity knitting is that I’m setting an example for my kids who think it’s cool.
I do think that having 2 targeted weeks of charity knitting helps though. It gives it a little more focus when I have a definite start and end date. Somehow that’s easier.
I can’t participate in knit alongs that have a narrow time frame, even ones that I believe in. My personal schedule of project working gets all bumfoozled if I do. Ones like Red Scarf, where there’s an end date that’s way out there? That I can work in. And Dulaan. That works too. Give me a year to work with 😉
well, i haven’t done much charity knitting/crocheting this year other than that bag i just posted about the other day, but as you know i give half of every saturday to charity by working at graceful stitches. i’d give more time if my schedule allowed and they were opened more hours on the weekends (the bastids).
i also donated yarn to the “caps for kids” drive sponsored by the dana farber cancer institute. (http://www.dfcionline.org/news/detail.aspx?id=920)
i know it sounds like i’m a little defensive which makes no sense since you didn’t single me out or anything, but you know i’m a big weirdo.
anyway, my point is that people help in a lot of different ways, that aren’t always so obvious.
I can’t knit for others. Even gifts – as soon as I get it in my mind that it’s for someone else, I lose all motivation. It starts to feel like an obligation, and then I resent it (and feel guilty) and just quit knitting. I *want* to knit for charity but I start that awful cycle as soon as I cast on. This is my hobby, it needs to be fun.
I give money and time to local charities throughout the rest of the year (but not much at the holidays as there are lots of extra expenses) and that’s got to be good enough.
Since you asked, I have no problems knitting for charity, although I have yet to do so. I also feel that I give in other ways and most of the time, I feel like my knitting is for me. Although I do have some items that didn’t work out for others and I’ve happily donated those projects as well as yarn for those who charity knit the majority of the time. I’m not joing KUO as I have other Xmas gifts to knit, but I have some yarn that I won’t be using and I decided to knit that yarn up for Dulaan this year as I’ve been moved to do so for some time.
I think the reason I enjoy knitting for charity so much is that I know that my contributions will go directly to someone who needs them. I like the fact that the objects I create will give someone else warmth and/or comfort. When I donate money, which DH and I are lucky enough that we can afford to do, it is a much more abstract experience. Charity knitting also gives me an postitive outlet for this knitting obsession that at times can feel very self indulgent.
I knit for charity and say so sometimes and other times not. I have knit hats and mittens for Knit Unto Others but I usually knit all year round and give things privately. I think it’s a personal decision and I feel that it’s good to give back.
I’ve lived at both ends of the economic spectrum, too, but the women of my family have always knit for charity, even when we got the yarn for pennies at the thrift store. It’s part of the fabric of our lives.
My primary commitment the last few years has been to Ships Support, and the months that I’m too busy to knit I send postage money to help ship the other knitters’ output. Dulaan and homeless shelters are important, too.
Charity knitting is fun! The projects are usually quick and easy and it’s nice to be a part of a larger group that is working toward a common goal! Besides that, when you knit for someone you are taking the time to care. I don’t do as much as I could (a lot of my energy is taken up with running a Soup Kitchen for Homeless Cats), but I do provide Great Gran with patterns and addresses and yarn and she cranks enough out for both of us.
I love charity knitting, and feel bad about not participating, but this is a very busy time of year for me.
Charity is a very private thing for me. I donate to those causes that are important to me and don’t feel the need to publicize it or entice others into to doing it as well. I also want to avoid the inevitable political discussions that surround your choice of charity or why you won’t donate to someone’s charity of choice. Those can get ugly and are unnecessary.
To each his own.
I’ve felt pretty guilty about my lack of charity knitting this year. It isn’t that I don’t think it’s worthy, but I’ve been feeling kind of overwhelmed with the knitting I have on my plate. Although, that hat might be going to a charity soon. I donate to a couple of charities, just like you, but it’s hard not to be able to give to everything.
If you don’t feel like knitting for charity, contact your LYS about donating yarn for charity. I just rounded up a large garbage bag full of all sorts of things including tons of scraps for the women’s prison program. They knit for charity and use *everything*. Even the tiniest scrap can be used for trim on a stuffed animal or hat or pair of mittens. If you have yarn you don’t want and that you know none of your friends want, give it to charity.
Oh, and nice reference to hookers…
I’ve been thinking this over for a while. And started off a comment here that turned into an essay so it’s on the blog instead.
I think you are right on all counts. We all have our own ways of doing good for others, but it can be a touchy, guilt-ridden subject at times. Good for you for putting it out there in the open.
Don’t worry about St. Jude’s, my family has been supporting them for YEARS! Whenever something good happens in our family a check goes in the mail. My pet charity is Habitat for Humanity. As for the knitting charity, I am knitting 5 for Dulaan. Happy thoughts to you and yours with your “knit unto others.”
Charity is good.
Great post! Here are my two cents and then some.
My decision to support specific charities is extremely personal. I don’t feel guilty about the things that I can’t or am not interested in contributing to because I’m pretty confident that the charities I’ve chosen to support are making a difference.
Since you asked so nicely….I don’t do charity knitting. I also don’t do guilt. I DO respect other people’s choices. That is all.
😉
Only 3 days left! AHHH! I better clear out some floor space for my blocking!!
What a great post! Personally, I like knitting for charity – I knit for projects that touch my heart (which is most of them! ugh). Most of the knitting I do is given away. I believe that you are correct and everyone has to find their own way, what I can not abide are people that feel the need to tear up one “charity” because another is more important to them. Charity knitting doesn’t go hand in hand with nastiness and I find it hard to comprehend, how people can be so mean spirited and unkind with their words – just my opinion. (Can you tell that I have come across a few VERY disturbing incidents with my own project?)
Hope this makes sense, I’ve been decorating for Christmas with the kids and am a wee bit sleepy.
I don’t do “charity” knitting, I do community knitting. I don’t knit for internationally-known, why-don’t-we-all-join-in causes, I knit for the kids at the local community center. As far as I know, I am the only person who does. Sometimes I knit what I like, other times I knit according to the requests of the director of volunteers, who knows the community better than I do. I don’t use scraps, I use new, good quality yarn and make items I would be happy to see my own kids wear. And I always have at least one community project in the works, along with things for my family and friends and, occasionally, for myself.
Yes, everyone should do as he or she believes and sees fit. But I’ll admit, I feel a bit of contempt for those who never give to others. Just my $.02.
This is one of those times where I am glad to be chiming in last… I got to read the spectrum of thought on this topic first. My childhood was easier than yours; no money for yarn, but we had almost enough of everything else and followed my dad around doing volunteer work so I grew up with a strong ethic of service to others and the sense that no matter how bad off you might be, you always had something to give to others less fortunate.
Then, as a young mother, I lived in poverty for something like a decade, getting charity myself, including my kids getting hats from Caps for Kids one Christmas. I am not ashamed to discuss that, but it isn’t what motivates me to knit for charity (which I did during that time, making blankets for Sedona Godmothers, who gave them to babies born with HIV, when I could send them the money for more yarn). It’s simply because I can… because I am a fast knitter these days, because I hang onto those scraps like Margene suggests, because I have enough time now, and because, like Sylvia says, my family has always “done for” others. But then there’s nothing wrong with anyone elses’ ways of expressing their sense of compassion for others; this is just my way. Thanks for opening an important window, Carole.
I knit for our local public hospital here in South Africa, where the patients are really destitute, often living in houses constructed of cardboard and scrap metal that they have scavenged. I knit so that the babies and children don’t go home cold. I didn’t join knit unto others because I wasn’t sure if I’d get stuff finished by Christmas – I’m working to a February deadline, and because I’m not in North America.
I also was poor as a child and remember going to church knowing there was no food in the cupboards for lunch and believing in miracles when we came home to a food parcel on the front steps. Even when we were really poor, my mother was sending parcels of clothes and books to Africa – she even donated her wedding dress to Africa. So helping others is something I’ve grown up with.
I can’t live here and not contribute to the society that I am involved with, and knitting is a tangible way to tell someone that somebody cares about them.
I believe charity knitting and donating is a personal choice. Like you I do feel the need to give back. I remember when I was young and my mom had cancer so many people donated their time and resources for our family and now I try to give back as much as I can. I too wish I could give to everybody and knit for every cause but I can’t so I pick and choose a few each year.