Crocheting for charity

What can I crochet for charity?

Here at LoveCrochet, we love our charities! If you’re looking to help others by using your trusty crochet hooks, we have plenty of ways you can crochet a little more joy into someone else’s life. Whether you’re crocheting for National Random Act of Kindness Day on February 17, to donate to the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home all year round, or simply teaching someone to crochet so they can get donating, there are charitable acts that you can do anywhere at anytime!

Crochet for someone in need

There are loads of charities and organisations looking for your handmade donations to give to people in need. While it might seem like a small contribution, items crocheted with love can bring someone warmth and comfort which can make all the difference. Browse our list of charities below for ideas of what you can crochet and where you can donate your items.

Buy crochet patterns in support of charity

If you’re looking for a new crochet project to start, consider buying one of these gorgeous patterns where the proceeds go to a charity. Instant warm fuzzy feelings guaranteed!

Crochet together for charity

On your own, a baby hat here and a scarf there can be a simple way to make a difference. But if you’re keen to work on something bigger, then consider joining a maker’s group full of like-minded crocheters and make something together like a blanket. Blankets are great because they can easily be made from crocheted squares, meaning that even beginner crocheters can contribute. Plus, they are quick if you’ve got a good-sized group. Don’t have a maker’s group? Here's how to start one.

Free crochet patterns to donate

Buying a crochet pattern where the proceeds go to charity is lovely, but so is downloading a free pattern and then donating the item to charity after it’s crocheted to perfection. Here are some of our favourite free crochet patterns that could make the world of difference. From preemie baby hats and granny squares, to cosy blankets and winter accessories, there’s something here to crochet a little more kindness into the world.

Host a crochet and bake sale

If you love crochet, baking or both, consider hosting your own crochet and bake sale. This can be anything you want it to be! You can even go for a tea party theme and crochet tea cosies and cup warmers to sell. Like ‘The Big Tea Cosy’ campaign our friends in the UK ran in support of Breast Cancer, consider hosting your own event and raise money for a charity by selling tickets to the event or goods to the guests. All you need to succeed is a passion for your chosen charity!

Sell your patterns for charity

Are you a crochet designer looking to give back in some way? Consider donating some or all of the proceeds of your crochet pattern sales to a charity of your choice. Many of our designers who decide to go down this route like to make a themed pattern that matches a charity they’re looking to give back to.

Charity starts at home

If you want to spread the crochet love, then start small by teaching someone to crochet. This could be a neighbour or friend, or you could even volunteer at a care facility and share your skills with the residents to bring a little joy into someone’s life.

Which charities can I crochet for?

If you love crocheting for charity, take a look at the worthy causes in your neighbourhood. Reach out to your local hospitals, shelters, hospices, charity shops, schools, and care homes to find out if they can use the crocheted items that you can make. Further afield, there's so many worthy causes to crochet for. Whether it's crocheting for preemie babies, animal shelters, the elderly, or the homeless, there is no shortage of causes looking for your kind donations. Take a look at our list of charities.

Crochet for women and children charities

The Big Tea Cosy for Breast Cancer Haven

Our friends at Breast Cancer Haven are hoping that you will consider hosting your own event to raise money for their wonderful charity. ‘The Big Tea Cosy’ campaign is all about raising breast cancer awareness and support in the community. So get your friends together, bake some tasty treats, and spend a beautiful afternoon crafting and chatting at your own Big Tea Cosy! Read more »

Snowflakes for Home-Start

Snowflakes for Home-Start. Snowflakes for Home-Start work to help children and families in need. Help them by selling your own knitted or crocheted items with a snowflake motif and donating the profits back to this important cause. Read more »

Knitted Knockers

You can crochet or knit knockers, fundraise, or both for Knitted Knockers who help support women who have breast cancer and have had a mastectomy. Read more »

Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day

Instead of buying a new Christmas jumper when the festive season rolls around, save your money and knit your own. You can donate the money you saved to Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day! And don’t forget, by wearing your Christmas jumpers on Christmas Jumper Day, you can fundraise for this wonderful children’s charity. It’s the perfect way to bring a charitable spirit to your office! Read more »

Octopus for a Preemie

Help Octopus for a Preemie spread the love by crocheting a little octopus and donating it. It will then be sent to a beautiful preemie baby somewhere in the UK. This charity help support and raise awareness for preemie babies UK-wide. Read more »

Crochet for animal charities

Battersea Dogs and Cats Home

The wonderful Battersea Dogs and Cats Home love their animals and care for over 7000 of them each year. Help this dedicated charity by donating your crocheted and knitted animal toys and blankets so all their beautiful animals can feel less alone. Read more »

Egg Cosies for The British Hen Welfare Trust

The British Hen Welfare Trust are calling out for crocheters and knitters to help give commercial egg laying hens the happy retirements they deserve. Crochet and knit your own egg cosies and sell them to fundraise for this lovely charity. Read more »

Crochet for health charities

Share a scarfie, save a life with Asthma UK

Participate in Asthma UK’s annual winter campaign by sharing a scarfie to raise awareness for Asthma sufferers. You can even crochet your own scarf especially for your scarfie! Read more »

Fundraise for Alzheimer's Research

If you and your maker’s group would like to spread some joy, then consider selling your crochet and knit creations to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research. This incredible charity always needs help to keep their research going. Read more »

Crochet for World Cancer Day

World Cancer Day aims to spread awareness and unite us all as a community to support those suffering with cancer. You can help by crocheting blankets, hats, scarves, gloves, and jumpers, and donating them to your local cancer ward. Read more »

The Innocent Big Knit for Age UK

Since 2003, our favourite drink and smoothie brand Innocent have been asking volunteers to crochet and knit little hats for their smoothies (see their website for free patterns). This may be a small thing that anyone can do, but this simple act contributes a whole lot. For each smoothie with hat sold, 25p is donated by Innocent to the charity Age UK, who help provide support for vulnerable older people. Since their humble start, Innocent have raised almost £2.5 million for Age UK! Read more »

Other charities

Knit For Peace

Join Knit For Peace in their ‘Keep Britain Warm’ campaign. Use their free pattern to create simple dressing gowns that consist of crocheted or knitted squares. Read more »

Yarns for charity

While you can crochet something fabulous to donate out of any yarn you like, you can also buy yarn that contributes to a charitable cause. These yarns either donate a percentage of their profits to wonderful charities, or they work in other ways to be charitable. Manos del Uruguay are a non for profit organisation that brings employment and creative opportunities for women living in rural Uruguay. West Yorkshire Spinners specifically developed their newest yarn Re:treat in collaboration with the mental health charity, Mind, to bring awareness to mental health. These yarns feel good to buy and give you the perfect excuse to add to your stash!

Do you crochet for a charity? It warms our hearts to see your special makes. Share your charitable crochet creations with the LoveCrochet community.