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Knit for Charity in 2014: Mittens for Detroit

January 6, 2014 by AllFreeKnitting 81 Comments

January is National Mitten month (with good reason, it’s cold outside), and I thought we might try something a little different to celebrate.  This month, AllFreeKnitting will be teaming up with Lion Brand to sponsor a mitten charity drive for Mittens for Detroit.  Knitting and crocheting are wonderful skills that allow you to give back to your community.  Given the record low temperatures we’ve been experiencing this year, there are plenty of people out there who could really use a new pair of mittens.  Mittens for Detroit exists solely to provide new, unused mittens and gloves to those in need – both children and adults – in metro Detroit.  By teaming with this wonderful charity, we are hoping to inspire more crafters to give back to the world.

Mitten Charity Drive

How to Participate:

Our mitten charity drive will run from January 6 until February 14.  Once you have finished your mittens, you can send them to the address below.  Every pair of mittens will be greatly appreciated.  Before shipping the finished mittens off to Detroit, we will select one donor to receive a gift package from Lion Brand Yarn.

Donna_Rosewell_NM_smallCurrently, Mittens for Detroit needs donations for adult men the most, but they will accept mittens of any size.  If you would like to knit or crochet a pair of mittens for this wonderful charity, please be sure to follow the donation guidelines.   If you are unable to create a pair of mittens for our charity drive at this time, please consider telling others about the charity drive to spread the word.

Not sure what pattern to use when you start your pair of mittens?  Try out of these printable patterns:

Knit Mittens Pattern

Crochet Mittens Pattern

 

Donation Guidelines:

  • Easy-care yarn is the best for Mittens for Detroit. We will take any new, unused mittens, and knitters should keep in mind that some of the recipients may not have easy access to washers/dryers or easy situations for air-drying mittens/gloves. That is why easy-care yarn is the best.
  • If mittens are for children under 3 years of age, embellishments should be limited for safety sake.
  • Feel free to tuck a little note into your pair, and please attached the gloves together with yarn, not safety pins.

Ship Mittens to:

Prime Publishing
AllFreeKnitting Mitten Drive
3400 Dundee Rd #220
Northbrook, IL 60062

What You Could Win:

Worth over $50, this prize includes seven skeins of some of the most popular yarns created by Lion Brand, and represents only a small part of the company’s charitable activities. In 2013, Lion Brand was able to raise $1 million dollars for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.  AllFreeKnitting is thrilled to partner with a company so committed to community involvement and support.

Contest Rules:
Contest open to US and Canada residents 18+
One comment/entry per person per blog post.
Contest closes February 14, 2014 at 11:59p CST.
Submit a donation to AllFreeKnitting of one pair of mittens.
One pair of mittens is equal to one entry; donating two mittens will be worth two entries, and so forth.
Winners will be posted on Stitch&Unwind.com and notified by email.

Are you going to make a pair of mittens?

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Filed Under: Events Tagged With: allfreeknitting, allfreeknitting.com, Audrey Huggett, charity, Lion Brand Yarn, mitten charity drive, Mittens for Detroit

Comments

  1. sara m says

    January 6, 2014 at 10:49 am

    why not post a men’s size pattern if that is what is needed most?

    Reply
    • AllFreeKnitting says

      January 6, 2014 at 1:31 pm

      Thank you for your suggestion! We have updated the post with a knitting pattern that can be made to a child, women, or men’s size.

      Happy knitting!

      Reply
  2. Samantha Nieto says

    January 6, 2014 at 12:29 pm

    I have some freinds who live up near the great lakes. The people up there definitely will be needing these! I’m making a pair right now ♡♥

    Reply
    • Wendy Shepherd says

      January 11, 2014 at 8:29 am

      Thank you, Samantha! It has been crazy cold so far this winter!

      Reply
    • Melissa says

      February 4, 2014 at 10:14 am

      I live about an hour north of Detroit, and yes, we are so cold up here! There was one or two days this month that have been above 20 degrees, and way too many that have been below 0. Our schools have been cancelled more this year than any year since around 1982. It’s been too cold with the windchill for school.

      Reply
      • Wendy Shepherd says

        February 13, 2014 at 1:18 am

        Melissa – You’re not kidding! It has been so cold, and we have been getting mittens and gloves out IMMEDIATELY when we receive them. Stay warm! ~ Wendy, Mittens for Detroit

        Reply
  3. Janelle Hagelin says

    January 6, 2014 at 1:13 pm

    posting an easy men’s pattern would be great!! How about it?

    Reply
  4. Mearla VanDenBerg says

    January 6, 2014 at 2:03 pm

    My husband just died, but I am going to try to crochet at least 1 pair. I live in a city south of Detroit. We’ve just received over a foot of snow & the temps are below zero. My husband’s mother knitted literally hundreds of mittens over the years that were donated to Detroit needy. Not sure whether it was this specific charity, though.

    Reply
    • Wendy Shepherd says

      January 11, 2014 at 8:24 am

      Thank you, Mearla, for your generosity and kindness, especially at this time, with your husband’s passing. Yes, it has been a very difficult winter in Detroit.

      Reply
  5. carol radziejewski says

    January 6, 2014 at 3:28 pm

    Definitely going to make a pair or two/

    Reply
    • Wendy Shepherd says

      January 11, 2014 at 8:30 am

      Thank you, Carol!

      Reply
  6. Linda Cardin says

    January 6, 2014 at 4:29 pm

    I will surely make a pair maybe two. Here in Montréal, Qc, there are no charity drives like that, not that I know of anyway. So I will be glad to make a pair or two for you american people and even if I don’t win I still will be happy.

    Reply
    • Wendy Shepherd says

      January 11, 2014 at 8:28 am

      Merci beaucoup, Linda! Thank you from your Detroit neighbors!

      Reply
  7. Wendy Shepherd says

    January 6, 2014 at 7:57 pm

    Thank you for your wonderful contest – and thank you in advance to all of the knitters for your kindness and concern. We really appreciate your kindness and generosity.

    Reply
  8. Lucy Beck says

    January 8, 2014 at 3:39 pm

    I have crocheted 35 pairs of mittens this fall that have been donated to the needy in Monroe, Mich. I would love to get a new stash of yarn for the 2014 year.

    Reply
    • Wendy Shepherd says

      January 11, 2014 at 8:39 am

      Thank you, Lucy! Southeast Michigan sure has been frigid this winter – those 35 pairs have made it more bearable for the folks who received them!

      Reply
    • Wendy Shepherd says

      January 11, 2014 at 8:42 am

      Thank you, Lucy! Southeast Michigan sure has been hit hard this winter. The people who received your mittens in Monroe sure were a lot more comfortable because of your kindness!

      Reply
  9. Norma Johnson says

    January 8, 2014 at 8:02 pm

    I will be making some mittens for this worthy cause. I also live in Michigan and it sure is cold here! 🙂

    Reply
    • Wendy Shepherd says

      January 20, 2014 at 9:49 am

      Thank you, Norma! We Michiganders do take good care of each other!

      Reply
  10. Emily says

    January 8, 2014 at 9:39 pm

    I have already donate some mittens to this charity. They were very courteous, appreciative, and outgoing. I received a personal note . I will plan to knit more for this specfic group.

    Reply
    • Wendy Shepherd says

      January 20, 2014 at 9:51 am

      Hi, Emily! Thank you for your kind words. Your many mittens have been not only well-made and beautiful, they have already been given to Detroiters who I’m sure have had a much easier frozen January because of your kindness. Thank you again!

      Reply
  11. Dale Lowe says

    January 9, 2014 at 5:30 am

    I have never knitted mittens/gloves, but am definitely going to try. Have wanted to knit, sew, crochet, quilt, whatever I could for charity, hospitals, etc. Am excited to participate in this one, would do it even without a contest. Thank you!!

    Reply
  12. Laureena says

    January 10, 2014 at 5:49 pm

    Hi can people outside USA do mittens? I am in Austeralia .

    Reply
    • Wendy Shepherd says

      January 29, 2014 at 8:21 pm

      Hello, Laureena –
      Write directly to the contest and they will tell you how to send them directly to Mittens for Detroit. We sure can use all the mittens we can get! Thanks! ~ Wendy, Mittens for Detroit

      Reply
  13. Sonia gibson says

    January 11, 2014 at 2:37 am

    I am disappointed, why USA and Canada residents only? Surely you would get more if you make this available to UK too!! I am saddened I cannot help

    Reply
    • Wendy Shepherd says

      January 29, 2014 at 8:21 pm

      Hi, Sonia!
      Write directly to the contest and they will tell you how to send them directly to Mittens for Detroit. We sure can use all the mittens we can get! Thanks! ~ Wendy, Mittens for Detroit

      Reply
  14. Wendy Shepherd says

    January 11, 2014 at 8:42 am

    Thank you, Dale! I never made mittens before I became Mittens for Detroit’s executive director… and now I’m addicted to making mittens! I can’t stop! 🙂

    Reply
  15. jeannette says

    January 12, 2014 at 8:25 am

    Wouldn’t wool mittens be warmer. Is wool felted ok?

    Reply
    • Wendy Shepherd says

      January 20, 2014 at 9:54 am

      Hi, Jeannette –
      Thank you for your question. The main reason we ask for other-than-wool is that the people who receive the mittens and gloves we distribute are often homeless or have limited access to the kind of care that wool requires. Wool felted mittens and gloves are great, although they do take longer to dry, especially when they are wet from exposure. Thanks for asking.

      Reply
  16. Beverly says

    January 14, 2014 at 2:21 am

    Thank you so much for this information. I make a lot of things for the nursing homes here in Ohio but now I have another project to do to help some more people. What a great idea.

    Reply
    • Wendy Shepherd says

      January 20, 2014 at 9:54 am

      Hi, Beverly – It’s great to hear from a neighbor! Thanks!

      Reply
  17. Gloria Bingel says

    January 16, 2014 at 8:42 pm

    I will make a pair or maybe two. I run a mitten drive every year at our church to make mittens for children in the area. Has always been a wonderful feeling.

    Reply
    • Wendy Shepherd says

      January 31, 2014 at 7:45 pm

      Thank you, Gloria!

      Reply
  18. alyce says

    January 17, 2014 at 8:58 am

    I do lots of knitting and crocheting for charities and will definately make some for this mitten drive. So many times mittens are donated at Christmas time but warm mittens are needed through out the winter. I used to live in Michigan

    Reply
    • Wendy Shepherd says

      January 20, 2014 at 9:47 am

      Thank you, Alyce, from one Michigander to another!

      Reply
  19. DixieHellcat says

    January 19, 2014 at 4:47 pm

    I’m in! can definitely knock out a couple pair for y’all. We’ve had some darn cold days even down here in TN, I can only imagine how nasty it must get up Detroit way.

    Reply
    • Wendy Shepherd says

      January 20, 2014 at 9:48 am

      Thank you! While the weather gets nasty here in Detroit, the people sure are wonderful. If you follow the national weather, you may have seen how bitter, bitter cold it has been. We are in another deep freeze this week, so your generosity is greatly appreciated!

      Reply
  20. alyce says

    January 21, 2014 at 7:32 am

    I have two pair completed and will get them mailed this week. What a wonderful cause! I have a knitting/crocheting group who meet at my house every week. I am going to tell them about Mittens for Detroit. More mittens will be coming.

    Reply
    • Wendy Shepherd says

      January 31, 2014 at 7:39 pm

      Thank you, Alyce!

      Reply
  21. Deborah Lander says

    January 24, 2014 at 8:00 am

    I was just looking for a place to mail my post Holiday extras!!

    Reply
    • Wendy Shepherd says

      January 31, 2014 at 7:45 pm

      Thank you, Deborah!

      Reply
  22. BarbaraM says

    January 24, 2014 at 1:22 pm

    how do you get entered into the drawing? is it when you sumbmit the mittens to the address listed?

    Reply
  23. alyce says

    January 24, 2014 at 5:56 pm

    Two pair are on their way.

    Reply
    • Wendy Shepherd says

      January 31, 2014 at 7:40 pm

      Thank you!!!!

      Reply
  24. BarbaraM says

    January 25, 2014 at 9:53 am

    If anyone would like a 2 needle mitten pattern, infant thru men’s (Jack Frost 1955 book) let me know and I will email direct to you.

    Reply
    • Wendy Shepherd says

      January 31, 2014 at 7:41 pm

      Hi, Barbara – People often ask me for 2 needle mitten patterns to make pairs for us, so I would love a copy! Thanks! Wendy@MittensForDetroit.org

      Reply
  25. Betty says

    January 25, 2014 at 10:53 am

    Do you accept loom knit mittens? They use two strands of yarn and are very warm

    Reply
    • Wendy Shepherd says

      January 31, 2014 at 7:41 pm

      Yes we do, Betty! Thanks!

      Reply
  26. Elaine Hager says

    January 25, 2014 at 8:52 pm

    I live north of Detroit. Can I sew polar fleece mittens if I don’t have time to knit some?

    Reply
    • Wendy Shepherd says

      January 29, 2014 at 8:24 pm

      Hello, Neighbor!
      You KNOW how cold it has been here – we are still collecting mittens, so please contact the contest directly so she can tell you how to send them! Thanks ~ Wendy, Mittens for Detroit

      Reply
  27. Joanne Freitag says

    January 28, 2014 at 3:23 pm

    Mittens are on their way!

    Reply
    • Wendy Shepherd says

      January 31, 2014 at 7:41 pm

      Thank you, Joanne!

      Reply
  28. Wendy Shepherd says

    January 29, 2014 at 8:27 pm

    Thank you to all of the kind and generous knitters who are taking part in this contest! It has been a horrific winter, with bitter cold and extremely dangerous wind chills. Schools have been closed, and those for whom gloves are a luxury have been particularly hard hit. Every pair you knit makes a difference. Thank you for effort and kindness. ~ Wendy, Executive Director, Mittens for Detroit

    Reply
  29. Jean Broadway says

    January 29, 2014 at 9:04 pm

    As always, all you have to do is ask! I find people are pretty terrific and want to help. The problem is we don’t know where the need is. So, thanks for asking. We are all better for helping each other.

    Reply
    • Wendy Shepherd says

      January 31, 2014 at 7:42 pm

      Thank YOU, Jean!

      Reply
  30. Evelyn says

    January 29, 2014 at 10:28 pm

    I donated about 50 hats to local charities in our area before the holidays. I will try some mittens for Mittens for Detroit. Good luck. We have had a terribly cold winter here also.

    Reply
    • Wendy Shepherd says

      January 31, 2014 at 7:43 pm

      Thank you, Evelyn! Stay warm!

      Reply
  31. Emmie says

    January 31, 2014 at 1:07 pm

    This Mitten Drive was just the right thing to get me motivated to learn how to knit mittens! I was so proud of my first pair for a man that I made a second for a woman.
    Thank you for the chance to share and I called mine Prayer Mittens!

    Reply
    • Wendy Shepherd says

      February 3, 2014 at 6:25 pm

      Thank you so much, Emmie! Mittens for Detroit got me motivated to knit mittens, too! Now I’m addicted! ~ Wendy

      Reply
  32. Josephine Acker says

    February 5, 2014 at 9:33 am

    I always have some yarn left over from a project, and that yarn ends up in mittens. Am glad to hear there is a place I can share the warmth of mittens and also warmth from my heart.
    Will be sending them out soon.

    Reply
    • Wendy Shepherd says

      February 10, 2014 at 8:49 am

      Thank you, Josephine! Your kindness is so very much appreciated! ~ Wendy, Mittens for Detroit

      Reply
  33. Susan Silva says

    February 5, 2014 at 3:07 pm

    I just found this and I want to participate. Thankfully I still have roughly a week left before this ends. I just crocheted 2 pair for my granddaughter. This will be fun crocheting an adult pair. Thank you for organizing this drive. I keep saying there are people in need in our own country that we need to care for!

    Reply
    • Wendy Shepherd says

      February 10, 2014 at 8:50 am

      Thank you, Susan! I am positive that your participation in this drive will make a difference. We all need to take care of each other! ~ Wendy, Mittens for Detroit

      Reply
  34. Brigida says

    February 5, 2014 at 9:36 pm

    I’ve made my first pair of knitted & crochet mittens for this worthy project. I’ve inserted a message in each pair of mittens.

    Is there an entry form available for submitting?

    Reply
    • Wendy Shepherd says

      February 13, 2014 at 11:10 pm

      Thank you, Brigida!

      Reply
  35. Margaret Magill says

    February 9, 2014 at 3:56 pm

    I’ve just finished my first pair of mittens and will mail off tomorrow. Living near San Francisco I rarely experience the cold I’m seeing reported in other parts of the country, so hope this helps warm up a small corner. Now I know about this great cause I shall be making more in time for the next cold season.

    Reply
    • Wendy Shepherd says

      February 13, 2014 at 1:20 am

      Thank you, Margaret! You may get the fog… but this cold this year has been brutal. It has honestly been unrelenting since December. We are looking forward to the 3rd weekend in February, when they predict it will reach the low 30s. Thanks so much! ~ Wendy, Mittens for Detroit

      Reply
  36. Joanne Freitag says

    February 9, 2014 at 6:18 pm

    Another pair of men’s Mittens for Detroit on their way tomorrow (2/10/14). Happy to help your mitten drive!

    Reply
    • Wendy Shepherd says

      February 10, 2014 at 8:50 am

      Thank you, JOANNE! 🙂 ~ Wendy, Mittens for Detroit

      Reply
  37. Deborah Lander says

    February 11, 2014 at 1:18 pm

    Mailed a pair of mens mittens yesterday.
    Db

    Reply
    • Wendy Shepherd says

      February 13, 2014 at 1:21 am

      Thank you, Deborah! ~ Wendy, Mittens for Detroit

      Reply
  38. Alyce Downer says

    February 14, 2014 at 12:50 pm

    It is too bad that this effort is over for this year. Winter is certainly not over. At the rate Old Man Winter has been pounding the east and northeast, seems like it may certainly last a few more months. GEESH.

    Reply
    • Wendy Shepherd says

      February 15, 2014 at 8:36 am

      Hello, Alyce! You are right – this has been a rough winter in Detroit. Mittens for Detroit is a year-round nonprofit. We actually never stop collecting, although our collection season officially ends on 2/28. This allows us time to gather up all of the gloves and mittens that are being collected at 200 collection sites around Michigan (including 93 Starbucks stores!). Any pairs that are received after we have completed delivering to our 12 partner agencies are sorted and stored to start out next year’s deliveries (to start on 10/1). So, Alyce, if you want to send them to me now that the contest is over, please do! Thanks, Wendy – Mittens for Detroit

      Reply
  39. Carol McMahon says

    February 14, 2014 at 10:55 pm

    I mailed six pairs of mittens on 2/13. Hope it’s not too late for the contest. Regardless, I enjoyed making them and will be keeping the hands of six people warm.

    Reply
    • Wendy Shepherd says

      February 19, 2014 at 9:44 pm

      Thank you, Carol! Your kindness and generosity will truly help. Thanks – Wendy, Mittens for Detroit

      Reply
      • Joan Trautwein says

        February 24, 2014 at 12:52 pm

        Are you still accepting mittens even though the contest is closed? I just finished my 1st pair (I just found this mittens for Detroit and wanted to help and I’m not a fast knitter.) Should I save them for another program such as this?

        Joan

        Reply
        • AllFreeKnitting says

          February 24, 2014 at 4:13 pm

          Hi Joan,

          We would be happy to send on any mittens to Mittens for Detroit. You can also send submissions directly to MFD (since our contest is closed):

          Mittens for Detroit
          Attn: W. Shepherd
          PO Box 448
          Clawson, MI 48017-0448

          Happy Knitting!
          Editors of AllFreeKnitting

          Reply

Trackbacks

  1. » Giveaways-January 10, 2014 says:
    January 10, 2014 at 2:56 pm

    […]  AllFreeKnitting – charity drive: Mittens for Detroit.  “Before shipping the finished mittens off to Detroit, we will select one donor to receive a gift package from Lion Brand Yarn.” (worth over $50).  You must submit / donate at least one pair of mittens; each pair is an additional entry.  Contest closes February 14, 2014 at 11:59p CST. […]

    Reply
  2. Knit for Charity in 2014: Mittens for Detroit | Knitty Gritty Savings says:
    January 20, 2014 at 8:46 am

    […] Click here for details and some pattern ideas! […]

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  3. 10 Fantastically Free Yarn Giveaways January 2014 | Crochet Blogs | New to Blogging Tips | Crochet Business Interviews | Selling Crochet Tips says:
    January 29, 2014 at 11:04 am

    […] Stitch and Unwind – Donate a pair of mittens and enter to win $50 worth of yarn Ends February 14, Us and Canada only – 1 set of mittens is equal to 1 entry […]

    Reply
  4. Projects for good: Project Mittens (@Mittens4Detroit) | Court is Crafty says:
    February 4, 2014 at 11:00 am

    […] she posted about doing this project, “Mittens for Detroit“. It seems this particular mitten drive will be over February 14th, but if you can get them to them before then you can be entered into […]

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