What items are most needed by charities?

Hats, scarves, and blankets for homeless charities. Baby hats and blankets for neonatal units. Twiddle muffs for dementia patients. Trauma teddies for emergency services. Fish and chip jumpers for rescued penguins. Check with your local charity for specific needs and specifications.

What yarn should I use for charity knitting?

Machine-washable acrylic or acrylic-wool blends are best as items will be washed frequently by people who may not hand-wash. Avoid pure wool for baby items (allergy risk). Use bright, cheerful colours. Donated yarn and charity shop yarn are excellent for this purpose.

Where can I donate knitted items in the UK?

Age UK, The Big Knit (Innocent Smoothies), Bliss (premature babies), Knit for Peace, local homeless shelters, women's refuges, neonatal units, care homes, and animal rescue centres all accept knitted donations. Contact them first for current needs and specifications.

How do I organise a charity knitting group?

Start with a knitting circle at a local library, church, or community centre. Choose a charity and item. Provide patterns and specifications. Pool donated yarn. Set a deadline for collection. Even small groups of 5-10 knitters can produce impressive quantities over a few months.

Are there size requirements for charity items?

Yes, most charities have specifications. Baby hats: 28-32cm circumference. Adult hats: 50-56cm. Blankets: often 90x90cm or 120x120cm squares. Twiddle muffs: 20cm diameter tube. Always check with the charity before knitting to ensure your items meet their requirements.

KnitCalcs

Charity Knitting Calculator — Plan Bulk Charity Projects

Calculate yarn and time requirements for charity knitting projects, from individual items to large batch donations.

Number of Items

How many items to knit

Item Type

Knitting Hours per Week

Metres per Ball

Yardage per ball of your yarn

How We Calculate This

This calculator estimates yarn and time requirements for batch charity knitting based on typical yarn usage per item type.

Typical yarn per item

Adult hat: ~100m, ~5 hours
Baby hat: ~50m, ~3 hours
Scarf: ~250m, ~10 hours
Blanket: ~800m, ~40 hours
Socks (pair): ~400m, ~20 hours

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates based on standard yarn weights and gauge. Results may vary with individual tension, yarn brand, and needle size.