1. Can I knit or crochet?
You can Make Beanies both ways . Whatever works best for you
2. Where do I get the Material from? Do I have to buy?
If anyone likes to donate yarn and make Beanies that’s awesome, if not please reach out to us and we will buy the yarn for you .
3. Can I buy yarn and get reimbursed?
This is a non-profit and we don’t have any source of money. So far we have been buying it with our own money trying to save as much as possible, looking for good deals on yarn and buying it. Also few of the members have been donating some yarn which we can give it if available
4. By when do I have to complete the beanies?
This is an ongoing project; homeless shelters always need Beanies from Nov to March every year so we can make them all year around.
5.What is the target number of beanies we are making per year?
It started with 100 beanies 2019 and Our target for this year 2023 is 500. But it’s not written in stone so we have some flexibility here, we will try to reach our goal as much as we can together.
6.Do I have to finish in a set time ?
No, we do not have a set time. Please do not take any pressure from this activity , this is a service we are helping the community out of love and compassion , so do as much as you can within the time you can allocate.
7. Where can I buy Yarn ?
Anywhere you can find yarn , just make sure you use thick yarn .
8. What color yarn should I buy ?
Please remember to buy dark colors of yarn ,as most of the unhoused dont have an option to wash them very often
9. How do I learn to make Beanies?
https://youtu.be/SSOn0XsmQRc - we used this link to learn but watch and learn any youtube link that you like
10 . Will there be a teaching session ?
Will try to conduct something ,please ask in the group so I can plan for one soon if we have enough people
11.Will high school kids get Hours ?
Yes High school kids can get hours 1 beanie = 4 volunteer hours
12.How can I invite friends to b part of this Project
Please ask your friend to fill the contact form so we can include them in the project
13. Any specific Rules to be followed
There is no set rule as such , make beanie at your convenient time and drop off at our place for distribution later but we request take a picture of the beanies you make so we can share with eveyone
14. How many beanies are we need to make in an year
Right now we are looking to make up to 500 Beanies this year
15. When can I start making beanies and how many should I make
you can start making beanies any time ,this is a year long project so you can make as many as you like . we are looking for 500 beanies at the moment .
16.When and Where should I drop off the beanies
Once you make beanies I(Aruna) will collect them and drop off at the shelter or you can drop off at our place , will share the address
17. What kind of yarn should I be using ?
below are the ones which we used ,but feel free to buy any yarn that you like to work with
this is what we used for thick yarn -but you can buy any similar yarn you like for a good deal
18. Any learning resources available ?
We used this video with thick yarn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSOn0XsmQRc
but any youtube video is fine
19. Are you looking for other kids to join in?
Yes if kids are interested in community service
20. will she be able to provide how to make a beanie video that people can follow at their home and give her the beanie when it is complete (all with social distancing)
Yes couple of video shares and she is also planning to have some planned sessions with experts
21. Will the kids get volunteering hours? Will they count?
Yes kids get Volunteer hours and they count
22. Does all the kids who participate in the project get participation/ core team certificates/ recognition they can write in their college apps? -
We are checking with the City about it . At this time they send a thank you letter which she shares with other members of this group .
23. Photo of the beanies made already
Yes I will send some if requested
24. How are they distributed and where?
Reaches to homeless shelters around the bay area and other low income family groups , co-ordinate with right people to drop them off .
25. Is there a limit on number of people she would like to be joined in her team
No limit
26. Is this project run by kids?
This project is for both kids and adults – and everyone who participated will get volunteer hours
Kid and parent both can join the group .
27. Are monetary donations accepted ?
No monetary donations are accepted if you like to donate then please buy yarn and distribute to the people who can help with making beanies
28. Can we donate pre made beanies ?
Yes, you can donate pre made beanies
Again thank you for your support and God bless your kind soul 🙏 ❤