400,000 Sweaters

A Surge of Sweaters, an Outpouring of Love

All over the country and around the world, Guideposts knitters and crocheters were truly inspired by the challenge to make 2006 a record-breaking year and a momentous celebration of Knit for Kids tenth anniversary.  Their generosity is proof positive that caring and love can bring hope to families and their little ones challenged by poverty, disaster and despair. 

And what a year it was!  2006 smashed all previous records – 74,983 sweaters were received, an amazing 11,729 in December alone, as knitters and crocheters worked to take Knit for Kids closer to passing the 400,000 mark before the tenth anniversary ended. 

As January began (and our volunteers kept working!) we stood at a total count of 392,057 handmade sweaters.  By March, the additional 25,474 sweaters brought in during the first 3 months of 2007 pushed us well past our tenth-year goal of 400,000!  (Click on the link to read the original Guideposts story from March 1996 that started it all.)  Thanks to people like Joan McKeon, Julie Everett, Agnes Martin and so many others, whose prodigious spirit of volunteerism continues to inspire other knitters, crocheters and groups to ever greater achievements.

Julie submitted more than 200 sweaters, Joan, a prolific knitter herself, energetically champions Knit for Kids on television and in the news, and Agnes delivers her sweaters in person to our Pawling, NY offices, where she is greeted with warmth, gratitude, and love by the Knit for Kids staff.  What’s more, thanks to Agnes and her merry band of knitters, Knit for Kids was the featured charity at a Rhode Island Knit a-Thon this March.

Hundreds of sweaters continue to pour in from individual volunteers and knitting/crocheting groups from nearly every state in the country… contributed by Guideposts readers, faithful friends, the good-hearted, caring souls and the giving.   We hear from many about how they feel that in every stitch there is a loving prayer and how much their lives are enriched as their efforts also enrich the lives of countless children whose needs are greater than we might ever imagine.  

As we continue to expand our reach (we’ve recently sent sweaters to southern Iraq, Liberia and Madagascar, and into many more US states) enfolding children worldwide in beautiful, warm handmade sweaters, we are more grateful than we could ever say for our expanding family of knitters and crocheters.  

Please join us – see the below for links to patterns and instructions.  We look forward to welcoming you!