What are we stitching up now?
We are now concentrating on items for Winter - hats, scarves, etc.
See the specifications below for the different charities items will be distributed to this Fall.
Hats and scarves for the New York City Department of Homeless Services
Scarves should be a minimum 7" inches wide and 60" long. Wider and/or longer scarves are fine.
Hats should be sized for adult men. Refer to a hat sizing chart (such as this one) for sizing information if it is not included in your pattern.
Darker colors are preferred.
All fibers are acceptable, including wool.
Items cannot be solid red, solid blue, or yellow and black striped.
Hats and scarves for Visiting Neighbors
Scarves should be a minimum 6" wide and 60" long. Wider and/or longer scarves are fine.
Hats should be sized for adult men and women. Refer to a hat sizing chart (such as this one) for sizing information if it is not included in your pattern.
All fibers are acceptable, including wool.
This organization serves more women than men.
Hats and scarves for Lower Eastside Girls Club and the Center for Wellbeing & Happiness
Recipients will be primarily girls and young women ages 10-21.
Scarves should be between 4" and 8" wide and 48" and 75" long. The length of the scarf should correspond with the width of the scarf. (e.g., In general, thinner scarves should be shorter and wider scarves should be longer.)
Hats should be made in sizes appropriate for older children, teens, and adults. Refer to a hat sizing chart (such as this one) for sizing information if it is not included in your pattern.
Many recipients have natural hair styles including braids, afros, and locs, and many often wear their hair up in buns and/or ponytails.
All fibers are acceptable, including wool.
Hats and scarves for children (organization TBD)
Scarves should be between 4" and 6" wide and between 30" and 60" long. Keep in mind that the length of the scarf should not be longer than the child it is intended for is tall. For example, if you are making a scarf for a five year old, it should be about 40-45" long, not 60" long. If you are making a scarf for a teenager, the scarf should be closer to the 60" end of the range.
Hats should be sized for toddlers, children, and teens. Refer to a hat sizing chart (such as this one) for sizing information if it is not included in your pattern.
Baby blankets for Care for the Homeless
Approximately 30" x 36"
If square, dimensions should be AT LEAST 30" x 30"
If rectangular, dimensions should be AT LEAST 30" x 36"
PLEASE do not make blankets smaller than these specified dimensions
IMPORTANT: Baby Blankets MUST be made with 100% Acrylic yarn!!!
Square or rectangular blankets only. Blankets can have fancy edges and borders, and fringe. Blankets can be ripple or chevron patterned. Blankets cannot be circles, ovals, octagons, stars, or starbursts.
Preemie hats and octopuses for Hats & Peas
Use acrylic yarn only.
Preemie octopus patterns can be found here .
Dimensions for Preemie hats can be found on the Hats & Peas website linked above.
Preemie hats and octopuses must be solid crochets or knits. They cannot have any holes in them large enough for a preemie's finger to fit through. Do not use patterns that include decorative eyelets or holes.
Preemie Octopuses for the NYU Langone Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
The above link is to a page with more info on this project for the NYU Langone Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Acrylic or cotton yarn
Octopus pattern here
#3 yarn or #4 yarn ( #3 yarn size is better for the smaller babies)
The eyes or faces must be embroidered with yarn (no plastic eyes)
Teddy bears for Knitting Without Borders, The Waves of Health, and the Phoenix Welcome Center for Asylum Seeking Families
Teddy bear body patterns can be found here
Unless otherwise specified above that a specific pattern must be used (e.g., teddy bears, preemie octopuses), any pattern you'd like to use is fine. Please use acrylic yarn for all projects unless it is specified above that other fibers are OK. If you are using a yarn with wool content, please indicate what percentage of wool is in the yarn you used so that we can label that item accordingly.