Knitting for Charity

There are lots of ways to help animals and to help the charities helping them. One is to get your knitting needles out and buy some wool, and to get knitting! This could be a great way to while away the winter months in front of the television, a hot drink to hand, knowing that as you sit in warmth and comfort, you're helping to give animals the chance to enjoy the same.

Knit with purpose and help animals as you plain and pearl, cast on and off, work your way through patterns and produce your own knitted goodies...

And be inspired! Read about One Woman’s Knitting Passion to Save Australia’s Koalas with the Koala Clancy Foundation.

So here are some animal charities you can do some volunteer knitting for... As always, we'll keep adding as we find new ideas! Images copyright to the charities. And when you click through, you may need to scroll down the page to find the information you need.

	The Donkey Sanctuary needs you to get knitting..... Woolley and his adorable knitted donkey friends are knitted by supporters and then sold in the visitors’ centre and online giftshop to raise funds to support the charity. Dorothy Harrison, pictured left, has knitted her 100th Woolley donkey! Click here to trot over to the Donkey Sanctuary's website
	Knit for Vet Kits help SPANA care for working animals. The free Big Knit for Vet Kit fundraising pack has patterns for Duncan the donkey, Hattie the horse, Oscar the ox and Emma the elephant, and you can also crochet Clarence the camel. It also has a sponsorship form, and donation envelope; so all you need to do is get your knitting needles out and select your wool. Click here to trot off for more information
	Many Tears Animal Rescue in South Wales need your help and knitting. Your knitting can help keep their dogs extra warm in winter. They also sell coats and ohter knitted items in their second-hand shop and at events to help raise funds. Crochet items are also gratefully received but not crochet coats or blankets - dogs tend to get their claws caught in them.
	The Willow Animal Sanctuary in Scotland are asking people who love knitting to help them! They look after over 450 animals including over 100 horses, ponies and donkeys, plus cats and dogs and many reptiles as well as over 200 farm animals and birds. Simply download their 'Marmalade' pattern - (or use your own if you prefer) and then get knitting! Please use acrylic rather than wool, if you can.
	Knit your own bittern and help protect Yorkshire's wetlands - wildlife need them. The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust is working to protect, restore and reconnect Yorkshire’s wetland habitats, and they need our help. You need to complete their online form to get a bittern pattern so that you can knit your own knittern (!) and they ask people to make a donation if they can. Find out more here.
	Cats Protection have a number of virtual craftalong events to give you the chance to learn a new skill while helping to raise vital funds for the charity just by taking part. They'll send you everything you need to get crafty! Find out more here.
	Knit for the Romney House Cat Rescue in Downe, Kent. The knitted blankets, bedding and toys are always needed and appreciated by the cats there. Many cats and kittens take them off to their new homes as comforters while they settle in. Click here to find out more.
	Crochet a Koala Pouch If you're a koala lover, why not crochet a koala pouch and raise funds to plant trees for koalas? Wild Koala Day is on 3rd May each year and the website has a number of activities (actually for kids, but we're all young at heart!). There's a free pattern here (scroll down when you click through) and more activities here.
In the USA, you could look at the Snuggles Project, which ensures win-win-wins for animals, shelters and knitters! Click here to find out more.

	If you're after some ideas of animals to knit, take a look at Hive.co.uk. They have a number of books you can buy with ideas of things you can knit - including this one, Knit a Mini Woodland. There's also a Knit a Mini Safari, plus books on knitting animal hats and socks, and animal cosies to keep everything warm! Many are on offer, too. Hop to Hive.co.uk here
	The RSPB has a Puffin knit kit for £20.00. You can knit your very own Barry the Puffin with this kit, which has a knitting pattern, five colours of yarn and a toy stuffing. There's also a puffin button badge which you can put on your puffin's chest or wear yourself. Finished, Barry will measure 16cm in height. Find out more from the RSPB.
	Garden Wildlife Direct has this Pre Filled Nesting Wool Holder / Feeder. The fat ball feeder has been filled with Herdwick wool, so the birds can take the nesting material they need as and when they need it. And once it's empty, you can either refill it with wool or use it as a fat ball feeder - fat balls are great high energy treats for the nesting season and longer! It's £4.99 from Garden Wildlife Direct. (They've also got packs of wool you can buy for your garden birds to use for their nests. Find out more here.)