The Warm Up America program collects donations of knitted and crocheted squares to send to the The Craft Yarn Council, whose members subsequently assemble the swatches into completed afghans. The final products are then shipped and distributed to nursing homes, hospitals and clinics, day-care centers, battered women shelters, teenage pregnancy homes, the Red Cross, United Way, and to the homeless. What an exciting idea!
According to founder Evie Rosen, an altruistic and avid knitter/author/teacher herself, anyone can donate his or her handiwork to this program, and the only requirement is that each square be 7" x 9". The pieces may be knitted or crocheted, and any pattern and colors, whether bright tones or pastel shades, may be incorporated. Although Evie used worsted weight yarn and size 7 knitting needles in her demonstration, she emphasizes that tools, techniques, and materials need not be limited to these standards. "Make what you know," she adds.
Some contributors prefer to attach seven swatches together to make a 7" x 63" strip to send. Evie's organization will even accept entire, completed afghans (49" x 63") from any voracious knitters or crocheters who are willing to participate.
Resources Craft Yarn Council of America (Warm Up America - Caps for Kids)
to donate a cap for preemies or donate squares for the homeless
Craft Yarn Council of America
Website:
www.craftyarncouncil.com
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