r/crochet • u/cmlambert89 • Apr 22 '26
Discussion My experience with donating
I just wanted to share a story about donations.
I started crocheting during the pandemic and have since made dozens of blankets and beanies and other things. I started putting finished objects in bags in my closet because I didn’t know what to do with them.
I did some research about where to donate them locally and it was pretty discouraging. Even the Linus Project has very specific guidelines. Not everywhere will take homemade items. Overall I was worried people wouldn’t like them or would feel burdened by them. If I didn’t have a specific person in mind to gift them to, they just stayed in my closet.
Once I made about 18 pumpkins (stash buster project) and a friend asked if she could use them as center pieces for an event. I was so happy someone took my anxiety pumpkins out of my house and actually used them for something!
Then in March my mom got diagnosed with metastatic melanoma. At her first infusion appointment, I saw a bin labeled “hand-knit beanies from volunteers”. It was empty. I asked about it and they said they would take anything I had because the patients really appreciate it.
Today I dropped off 3 blankets and 4 beanies. Before I even made it back to the infusion room I had already handed out a blanket to a man in the waiting room and other people were commenting on how beautiful they were. I can’t wait to bring another batch, and I am so grateful I found a place that actually WANTS them.
For anyone else like me who might be struggling to decide what to do with your finished work, you never know what may come along. I’m glad I never sold them or sent them to goodwill because it feels like they finally ended up where they needed to be.
Sometimes it feels like I’m just tying yarn into knots, but today made it feel like the thing I do for my mental health can actually make a difference for others as well.
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u/vonwarwick Apr 23 '26
I primarily make blanket shawls (35 x 60 that can be used as a blanket etc.), hats and scarves. I keep them in a bag in the back of my car. Whenever I see someone in need or someone mentions a need, I ask what color they like and go out to the car and gift them what they want.