About Us

West Ottawa Knitters is the result of the growth of West Carleton Country Knitters (WCCK).

West Carleton Country Knitters was formed in 2009 with the idea of creating a local social group, within the Carp/Dunrobin area of Ottawa, Canada, of people wishing to knit or crochet for the benefit of others in need of warm clothing and household goods using donated yarn.  We donate our items to a variety of local charities. 

As our WCCK membership (currently at 100 members) increased over the years, we split into smaller groups located in different areas of West Carleton and West Ottawa.  We now have six groups, each of which operates independently.  

The three groups that make up West Ottawa Knitters are located in the Bayshore, Crystal Beach and Kanata areas.  These groups have both members that attend get-togethers and members who, for a variey of reasons, cannot attend our daytime get-togethers, but who knit and crochet for our charities (home knitters).  We are happy to provide yarn for all our members.

People who want to knit and crochet for charity are not restricted to just the west end of Ottawa.  In May 2026, we are launching our first East Ottawa Crocheters and Knitters group under the leadership of Sharon Letovsky.  As with the west Ottawa groups, members will choose a local charity for their finished work, use donated yarns and operate with a mix of both meeting and home knitters.  Welcome to our east Ottawa friends.

Each year, we donate many hundreds of items to our chosen charities.  In our 2023-2024 season, our combined groups donated over 6,000 items!  Well done members!

In 2012 we were delighted and excited to have won a People's Choice Award through the Kanata Chamber of Commerce. We were proudly named the 2012 Community Support/Non Profit Organization of the Year for West Carleton.

In 2026, Paula Farmer, the woman who launched West Carleton County Knitters and its many spin-offs was named as a Distinguished Woman of Ottawa for her achievements.  Congratulations Paula on this well-deserved honour.

It is important to us that everyone feel welcome, regardless of skill level, age,  gender, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.  We have no religious or political affiliations, and there are no fees to join any of our groups.

If you are aware of a local charity which would appreciate our work, please tell us about it.