Why I Knit

There are those who oppose the idea of charity knitting, arguing that it makes more sense to just donate the money one would spend on yarn instead. One blogger wrote:

"Do you think Bosnian (or any other sort) refugees or abused women in shelters really need orange acrylic hats?....although I am all for knitting for charity, especially for kids, such as the Linus Project and premie hats, I often do wonder about knitters who crank out mittens, socks, afghans and all sorts of knitted accessories for charities when many of these people want and desperately need food, medicine, and cold hard cash."

They need something else too. They need people to know that others care about them and making something comforting can do that. Yes, there are people who use cheap, ugly, scratchy yarn to make things to donate to charity. Yes, there are people who think the higher the number of items they knit the better, and the beauty, thought, love, or prayers they put into them isn't important.

It's scary for parents to see their tiny baby in an NICU with all sorts of wires and tubes attached. Sometimes something as simple as a colorful little hat to remind them that their baby is a baby and that someone cares is much more important than "cold hard cash" All I know is that it gives me a great sense of peace to knit for others and I treasure the notes parents send me. One mother who had had premature twins while her husband served in Iraq wrote:

"I just wanted to let you know that I really appreciate your donating your time and your efforts to knitting the hats and booties. It showed me that someone out in the world cares. "

Isn't that what it's all about?