Knitters and Crocheters, we’ve got BIG NEWS! Stitch and Unwind is teaming with Warm Up America! and Build-a-Bed for another exciting charity drive. If you participate, you’ll be entered to win a fabulous prize, too.
The students at Morehead State University build and distribute beds to children in Eastern Kentucky for their yearly Build-A-Bed campaign. Through this initiative, each child is given a twin size sheet set, a hygiene kit, books, pajamas, nightlight, alarm clock, stuffed animal, a twin sized bed, mattress, and an afghan. Warm Up America! provides the afghans for this campaign, and we’d love to help them fill the need in a hurry. Every child deserves a sturdy bed to sleep in and something comfy to snuggle under.
Whether you are a crocheter, knitter, or just a crafter looking for a good excuse spend the weekend getting creative, we hope you’ll consider making a quick, easy knit or crochet afghan to give to a child in need. The deadline to donate is March 18, 2015.
Knit or Crochet Afghan Requirements:
There are a few yarn specifics to follow to ensure that Warm Up America! can accept and distribute your generous donations. So while you’re planning, please keep in mind that the yarn must be:
- Afghan must measure at least 54″ x 42″ It can be a bit bigger, but please try to keep this size, as it needs to fit a twin size bed.
- Cotton or Acrylic
- Machine washable and dryable, only
* Please, no buttons, bows or other embellishments, as they can be dangerous for little ones *
Need Inspiration?
Our friends at Yarnspirations have generously donated two full patterns that will work beautifully for this charity drive. Of course, you can do any pattern you’d like – but just in case you needed a little extra inspiration, check out these two wonderful knit and crochet afghan patterns.
For the knitters: A free knit afghan pattern:
This fantastic knit afghan is worked up with a simple garter stitch pattern and a subtle neutral shade of a bulky weight yarn, such as Bernat Blanket. These factors alone make this knit afghan pattern an easy, elegant project that’s a cinch to work up while watching TV or snuggling on the couch.
For the crocheters: a free crochet afghan pattern:
The amazing textures and unique geometry of this Red Bricks Crochet Afghan are sure to make a strong statement. The stitch pattern is easy to memorize and you’ll love snuggling under this stunning crochet afghan pattern as you work it up.
Who doesn’t love quick and easy afghan patterns? When you’re short on time, try one of these 24 free easy to crochet afghan patterns. These patterns are all unique and fun to make. Use your imagination to create the perfect free crochet pattern.
Where to Send Them:
We will be collecting all donated afghans at our offices in Northbrook, IL and personally delivering them to Warm Up America! Please have your handmade afghans delivered to:
Prime Publishing, LLC
Attn: Build-a-Bed
3400 Dundee Road, Suite 220
Northbrook, IL 60062
Afghans need to be postmarked no later than March 18, 2015.
What’s In It For YOU?
Of course, you’ll get that wonderful feeling of by donating something to charity and helping keep a child warm. But we’re also offering an exciting prize donated by our friends at Yarnspirations, a giveaway worth more than $100! Send us a homemade afghan and you’ll be automatically entered to win 10 skeins of Bernat Blanket Yarn!
Rules:
Afghan must meet the requirements above. Please include your name, address, phone number and email address with your donation for contest entry. Contest open to US/Canada residents age 18+ only.
Are you ready to help? What afghan will you make?
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I will be knitting a bright and happy blanket in Bernat Baby Blanket. What a great way to help our children!
Thank you so much!!!!
What is the deadline for this project?
It says above: The deadline to donate is March 18, 2015.
Thanks! I guess I missed that. I’m working feverishly on a blanket at this time!
The deadline to donate is March 18, 2015.
I’ll never make the deadline so will you accept donations after? I hope so. I’ve been looking for a place to knit for. This is a great cause.
I would love to help with this , I am currently really tied up with a project for the homeless, but I will start a blanket for your project . Please notify me when the next one will start . Ty
Would love to donate afghans, how much do you think postage will be though?
Wendy – Shipping shouldn’t be too much. You should be able to get your finished afghan into the largest of the flat rate postage boxes from the USPS. They aren’t too much to ship at all!
Priority Mail
RETAIL—LETTERS, LARGE ENVELOPES, & PARCELS
Flat Rate Envelopes (12-1/2″ x 9-1/2″ or smaller): $5.60
Legal Flat Rate Envelope: $5.751
Padded Flat Rate Envelope: $5.951
Small Flat Rate Box: $5.80
Medium Flat Rate Boxes: $12.35
Large Flat Rate Boxes:
Domestic addresses: $17.45
APO/FPO/DPO destination addresses: $15.45
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I have a great deal of scrap yarn, so I’d like to make a really colorful blanket…not sure what pattern though. Can’t wait to do this!!!
Would quilts be allowed to be donated? Although I’m a crocheter i know a few people w h o quilt that would donate. They wouldnt worry about contest. Although a few of them are also yarn crafters.
Hi Karen – for this charity, they would like knit or crochet blankets only. We will be working with another charity in the future that you’ll be able donate sewn blankets/quilts to. Thanks so much for asking!
Just finished mine the other night. Will get it mailed off this week. I love this idea and am glad to help this kids. I hope you reach your goal.
I WILL BE SENDING 2 BOXES WITH 6 HOME-MADE BLANKETS FOR YOU. (I KNIT, THEREFORE I AM)
LOVE HAVING SOME PLACE TO DONATE.
ENJOY
PS: EXCUSE THE RANDOM CAT HAIR
THANK YOU SO MUCH, SUSAN! We can’t wait to see them!
I just found this site and would love to help but I am not sure I would be able to get it done in time for the dead line. Are you going to be doing this again? I can start soon but my supplies are home and I won’t be there for another week or so and then it will take awhile to get some done. So if you are going to be collecting again I will have some done then. Thank You JoAnn
I shipped two afghans today
I have several crochet afghans that I have made over several years and was wondering what I could do with them. It would be great to know that someone was able to stay warm because of what I had made so long ago.
I am currently crocheting an afgan. I dont know if ill get it done in time. I seem to be on an afgan happy roll. I have several patterns I plan to make. Do u collect them even when you dont have a donation drive?
Sorry I missed this. Would love to make the afghans next time. Please keep me informed. Thank you. Sue.
The “4-Square Baby Throw” pattern from the Lion Brand website could be adapted into something about the right size for this drive by making 12 15″x15″ (or even better, 14″x14″) squares per the pattern, and assembling them in a 3-square x 4-square pattern. If you don’t have enough superbulky yarn on hand, 2 strands of worsted-weight yarn held double would also work. I’d like to participate in this drive, but don’t know if I’ll have the time, as I’ve already committed to 2 other charity crochet drives. Sure wouldn’t mind winning all that Bernat Blanket yarn, though!
I know the date line is March 18. What I wanted to know if I could still send afghans to this address, don’t really care about winning.
I just found out about this and I couldn’t finish one before date line. I have two afghans going right now for my great granddaughter who is going to be born in June and a cousin.
I would love to start making afghans but just found this so don’t know if I could get it there in time. Will you take donations after March 18th? I also have at least a dozen hats I have made over the last year, crocheted and would love to donate these as well.
Thank you,
Mindy
I would love to do this its march 1 how much time do I have to make one?
I WOULD LOVE TO MAKE A CALE FOR MY GRANDDAUGHTER!!!
I just received this email today. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to finish on time, but i will try!
Have lots of yarn and would love to donate, especially since it’s in Kentucky. I live in Western KY. Like others, I’m wondering if you will accept donations later than March 18. I have broken shoulder and am doing therapy right now, and can only crochet a few minutes at a time, but would love to send afghans to Eastern KY for a cause. I mostly make the C2C pattern because it works up fastest of all patterns I’ve tried.
Hello Angie W I am very interested in crochet patterns that work up quickly would you explain please what is the C2C pattern? I would like to try that Wishing you a speedy recovery, I had frozen shoulder but that is not as severe as a broken one, hope you get the range of motion back soon so you can do what you love again!
I would also love to have more information on the C2C afghan! Am currently working on baby blankets, but those are to sell. I would really love to make afghans for USA kids in KY. As several others have asked, is there an address where I could send afghans even after the March 18 date? I can’t get one finished by then.
Thanks so much!
I just saw this. Can’t make the deadline, but keep me informed about other charity drives. Will you be accepting donations after March 18 ? Would love to be involved!
Hi I just got your email today.I dont understand why you would wait so late to tell us about this. I do have a little zig zag afghan I just finished its a little larger than the measurements its 49 by 64 inches.I wanted it this size cause its cool for laying on floor. It the pink camo with pink and brown that matches the camo. It is Red Heart yarn is that ok? Should I wash it first, its new so not sure if you prefer them with the new unwashed yarn? Will mail right away. Well soon as I know. I can make more for next year and they will be smaller. I crochet alot cause I quit smoking after 40 yrs and I am a Hooker Now!!!!!! lol
I would love to donate twin size blankets even though March 18 is the deadline. Let me know if this possible? If you have any quick afghan patterns that are easy to learn, that would be great.
If there is an address to send afghans after today?please keep me informed of other charity drives?
Thank
I just saw this for the first time and no time to do anything now. Very disappointed I hadn’t seen this before! I sure hope you do it aga in next year. Please be sure I get notification in a more timely manner. Thank you and good luck!! Hope you get many donations!
I hope this is on the up-and-up. I’m always afraid its a scam. There’s so much of that going on. I love crocheting, have many things made up. I’ve been wondering what to do with them. Let me know more. Thank you
I’m on social security and not in good health, but I love to crochet and my family always buy yarn for me for my birthday and christmas. I made 3 bags of blankets and passed them out on Christmas eve to the new babies and children in the hospital. I’m so happy I found your email . I’m going to ask my family to mail a afghan out to you. I’ll never forget the looks on the new mothers and one father in particular was so appreciative he wanted to pay me , but I said the smile on your face is my pay. That was my Christmas present. It is better to give you then receive.
When I was brand new to crochet I made blankets and mats for animal shelters so homeless animals would have something of their own too, and it is rewarding because the shelters are so thankful to get the blankies for them and the animals are more adoptable when seen snuggling in their blankets. Dogs especially get all excited when a new delivery arrives anxious to get a little something! Great project for beginners especially because my pieces were often crooked at the sides but the animals don’t care they don’t judge and are just so happy to have a soft mat to sit on or cuddle into. Now I am new to knitting so I will make blankets for animals but knit ones. Thewy love any craft sewing knit or crochet they are grateful for them all.
Can you donate after the March deadline?
There is No way I could get one made in 14 days, so are you doing this again next year??? It takes me about a year to make one because I work & do hats for homeless.
Please, keep my email address & let me know later on if you are going to do this again.
DyanaSue
phenonwrestler@sbcglobal.net
I just found out about this today, so I won’t be able to contribute. Do you contribute to this group every year?? If so, I could get started on some blankets now for next year. Please keep my email address and let me know!!!
dancar92 “at” verizon “dot” net
Thanks!!!!
I agree with Dyanasue’s omment I also do other charity work pleease let me know a lot earlier next year thank you
I live in Evanston,IL, just a few miles south of Northbrook. I’m familiar with Dundee Road because I often visit the Botanical Gardens. Would it be possible for me to drive up to your offices and drop it off there? Since afghans postmarked on the 18th would not get there at least until the 19th, could I bring it up on the 19th or 20th? I just found out about this today, I might be able to get it done before then, but am not positive about that.
Mary Jo – you are more than welcome to hand deliver. We keep regular office hours, and you can leave them with the front desk.
Having just received this email, I have the same questions many have already expressed. I would love to participate, but deadline is too close. Is the collection of afghans only once a year? Can they be dropped off rather than mailed?
I would like more info!
I am a disabled person I know live in a nursing home. So I don’t have much money, but I do have a big heart and can crochet. I would love to do a blanket for you but will you take them safe March 18. For I have on really go hand the other is very weak. I do a lot of donation I give to the homer, cancer patients, heart patients, and I would like e donate to you. Please let me know if you will take donation after March 18. If not please let me know earlier next year.
I have one I’d like to donate, but it isn’t quite that big. It may be about 45″ square, or 50″ square. Is this okay?
I wish I’d seen this earlier! I’m going to try and get at least 2 afghans done in time! Terrific way to help! Afghans for kids! Thanks for doing this! Subscribed!!
Let me know when you do this next year & I will gladly knit an afghan.
I won’t be able to make this deadline so can you please let me know of any other charity events. I would love to do this. Deb
I just got this today, so there is no way I can knit an afghan in time with two shawls going right now. I would like more information if you have another knitting project coming up in the future. Thanks!
Thought this was a really good idea – but not getting the information until today after 12:00 noon – there is just no way I can get one done and shipped by the 18th. Wish I had know sooner.
I agree the short notice is a problem. Received notice on March 6th with a deadline of March 18th, 12 days!!! Would love to have donated. Is this a yearly thing?
I just got the email request. Sorry there isn’t enough time. Please put me on your afghan volunteer list for next time. I’d love to help out. Linda
I recd a FaceBook post on this event with a mailing deadline date of April 1. If this is correct, you should update this link.
I am nearly finished with a blanket for this drive that is 80% acrylic and 20% wool, machine wash and dry. I hope that is acceptable. Let me know. Thanks.
Would love to help, but like others will never make this deadline as I just got the email. I will start now for hopeful your next one. If possible please keep my email info to alert me to the next deadline. This is a wonderful thing you are doing. God Bless you all.
I retired several years ago and I am not able to get around too weltl but I spend my time knitting for breast care alliance. And also for knit for kids. There is no greater joy than creating something for someone in need. My daughter buys me yarn for birthday,Christmas and other holidays. It fills my time and I feel like kids am giving back. I won’t be able to meet the 3/18/2015 deadline but would love to contribute if you are involved in another project. Please let me know if I could help. Thank you and God bless you for all you do.
I just found out about this website also and I am like the other comments above, would you take any blankets after the date? I am new to crocheting and would love to build my skills and make blankets for others. Please, please let me know on this.
Karla Wilson karlajwilson93@gmail.com
Received the Build-A-Bed information on March 6th,but fired in that evening. Crocheting while watching TV with granny squares that I’d made for another project is productive so far. Thank you for the opportunity to do this♥ I think I’ll make the deadline.
I am having a problem making the deadline of the 18th my blanket is not big enough yet and I’m running out of time . Will there be another collection date after march 18th . Please let me know coullgames@yahoo.com Thank you
I just got this email as well. Hope you have ano t her project like this in the future with more lead time.
I am curious as to which deadline it is: March 18th or April 1st as I have just found out about this and it’s the 13th. There’s no way for me to meet the deadline of the 18th as the only time I have to crochet is at night when my 2 year old is sleeping 🙂 . But if the deadline is April 1st that would give me enough time. I’d greatly appreciate it. Thank you. Danielle
Our deadline is March 18th, however, I believe you can send directly to BuildABed until the 1st.
My afghan should be there today – my paper with my details for the contest got left out 🙁 I hope it keeps a child very very warm for a long time!
Don’t worry Rebecca, I can write down info from the outside of the box. 🙂
That’s awesome! Thank you!
I just saw this charity and today is the 17th so I doubt I could get the afghan made and submitted by tomorrow. Do you know when you are doing this again and could you send me information?
Got mine out in the mail today!
I made a blanket for this cause but mistakenly sent it directly to the Warm Up America address in TX. I got an email back saying I wouldn’t be entered into the contest for the giveaway. So disappointed….. Any chance I can forward their email to prove I sent one in and still get in the contest?
Hello,
Created for comfort, peace and warmth. The shell and front-post double crochet afghan which I crocheted for this Drive, was shipped today.
I would love receiving emails about future charity knitting and crocheting projects. Thank you.
Just dropped mine in the mail. It fit perfectly in a medium Priority box.
Just saw this online and would love to crochet for a good cause. Please provide further information and when the next project is coming up. Asking for my crochet group as well. Thank you!
HI…..I just came across this in my e-mail……I have been going over old e-mail and discarding. This caught my eye. I see I am too late for this year, but how about the next time you have this project? I would love to participate. How can I get the patterns for the knit and the crochet blankets that you used this year? Sincerely, Emilie Glanding cranberrycota@gmail.com