Got a leftover yarn stash sitting around? A few half-balls of colour here, a stray skein there… and you’re not quite sure what to make? Knitting for a cause is a great way to turn your leftovers into something that makes a difference.

Here are ten fantastic charities and campaigns that would be thrilled to receive your handmade creations:

1. Blankets for London

Blankets for London, run by Craft Forward, provides much-needed warmth for people experiencing homelessness in the capital. They welcome whole blankets (100x140cm or 35 squares) or just individual 20x20cm squares in any stitch, yarn weight, or colour.

You can post your squares in by 9th November, or even better, join their friendly Knit Clubs in Brixton to help assemble them in person. Whether you send a single square or a whole blanket, your handmade creation will make a positive impact, and bring warmth in the winter months ahead.

2. Knit for Peace

Knit for Peace, an extraordinary initiative of the Charities Advisory Trust, collects handmade knits for vulnerable people in the UK and abroad. Items go to hospitals, women’s refuges, refugee camps, and more.

They also welcome yarn donations, which they use to help individuals — particularly women and marginalized groups — build community and create change through knitting. Have a look to see how you can best support their work.

3. Bliss

Bliss supports parents and families of premature or sick babies. They invite knitters to contact their local neonatal unit to find out what items they might need, and offer an array of free patterns for items like cardigans, hats, and blankets, all designed for fragile newborns.

Even the smallest stitches can be a big source of comfort when a family is facing such an overwhelming start.

4. SPANA

Since 1923, SPANA has been improving the welfare of working animals in vulnerable communities. With their fun patterns, you can knit or crochet characters like Duncan the donkey, Hattie the horse, or Clarence the camel.

You can keep your finished toys or send them back to SPANA, where they’re shared in school animal clubs to teach children about kindness to animals. A playful knit today could inspire compassion for years to come.

*Above: Knit or Crocheted Characters from SPANA*

5. Age UK’s Big Knit Campaign

This year, through The Big Knit, stitchers across the UK made mini woolly hats that were placed on Innocent smoothie bottles. For every behatted bottle sold, Age UK received a donation of 30p to support older people who may be struggling with loneliness.

The 2025 campaign saw an amazing 15,000 hats made — and not to worry, it’ll be back in 2026!

You can even download free hat patterns from Age UK to get a head start.

6. Sands

Sands is the UK’s leading pregnancy and baby loss charity, offering support to families at the most heartbreaking times. They invite knitters to make simple white blankets that are placed in memory boxes given to bereaved parents.

They ask that each blanket be between 50 and 60 cm, using plain white yarn without metallics. A square of softness becomes a lasting, tangible memory for families navigating profound loss.

7. Cancer Hair Care

Cancer Hair Care offers free advice and practical support for people going through hair loss from cancer treatment. Contact them directly to inquire about donating knitted hats.

Their beautiful Hair Loss Dollies — used to gently help explain hair loss to children — come in a variety of skin tones and hair types, with hair on one side and none on the other.

Fancy joining their team of knitters making these unique dolls? Get in touch!

*Above: Hair Loss Dollies from Cancer Hair Care*

8. Knit for Nips

Got some pink leftover yarn? Join Against Breast Cancer and its Knit for Nips Challenge. Create small knitted items (yes — in pink!) to help raise funds for research into secondary spread breast cancer, the leading cause of breast cancer deaths.

Whether you’re an experienced knitter or a complete beginner, just pick a pattern, knit, and send it in. They’ll add it to their online shop.

9. SSNAP

One in ten babies in the UK needs specialist neonatal care at birth. SSNAP supports both babies and families in the Neonatal Unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. Knitters can help by making newborn hats, blankets, and cardigans.

With guidelines available on their site, you can be sure what you knit meets the unit’s practical needs.

10. Check Your Local Community

Truly meaningful projects can also be surprisingly close to home. Many hospitals, hospices, and community groups welcome handmade donations. Have a look around to find chances to help, right on your doorstep.

Whether it’s a tiny hat for a smoothie bottle, a pink treasure for breast cancer research, or a 20x20cm knitted square, every stitch carries kindness.

So, go on. Dig out those spare balls of yarn and see how far your knitting can reach!

Know of another great charity or campaign that needs handmade knitted items? Drop us a line at hello@destasher.co.uk

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