knitknacking

When we made our video Cast On Baby!, we couldn’t imagine the amazing response it would get:  the comments and feedback have been incredible!! We heard from folks all over the world: knitting rock stars and private citizens. It was a joyous response: overwhelmingly people said it made them feel good and connected to the yarn community near and far. We’re pretty connected to our extended community here at home too and hope you’ll join us for three charity drives we’re hosting with other knitters we’ve been fortunate to get to know through Knitknack:

Thanks to one of our knitters at The School of Public Health/UMDNJ, we learned about an urgent call for supplies at our local food bank. Let’s help out!  Starting today, you can donate canned, sealed or boxed non-perishable healthy food options: make Knitknack your drop-off location and please check the expiration date so that the food has a decent shelf life ahead. No expired items will be accepted. Easy peasy right? We’ll be collecting until mid-October: World Food Day is Oct 16th and U.S. Food Day follows a week later on Oct 24th. Let’s make Thanksgiving special for our community at large!

As some of you know from a post on our FB page earlier this week,  this Fall we’re also reaching out to our Veterans. We’re collecting 6″ squares or 6″ x 72″ long strips knit or crocheted in your favorite pattern (or completed afghans if you’re feeling really ambitious) in worsted weight yarn. Read more at knittingforgood.wordpress.com and please drop off a square or two at Knitknack no later than October 5th. Completed blankets will be donated to Community Hope’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families.

We truly believe charity begins at home and many of you know we collect caps year-round for newborns at the University Hospital in Newark, an initiative that was started by UMDNJ knitters & crocheters. We have some prolific hat knitters among our Knitknackers, who are making sure Newark is the newborn hat capital! With all these really cute hats pouring in, why not drop one in our basket and add your goodwill to the mix? Any basic baby hat pattern will do, or stop by the shop and pick up a free pattern.

We high-five all you awesome Knitknackers for being part of our amazing community that reaches out to so many others! Your contribution to each of these charitable drives earns you a Sheep Thrills Card (one per each charity, 3 card limit per person).