Can it really be Big Knit time again? You betcha. Innocent are back with the nationwide knitting challenge that sees smoothie bottles get all cozy in tiny crocheted or knitted hats from crafty volunteers.
The aim this year is to raise over £250,000 to support Age Concern and Help the Aged, both of which run healthy eating and healthy living projects during the winter months.
According to Innocent's knitometer, the project has already received 'lots of hats' but you can still submit as many hats as you care to knit. For the non-knitters, remember that every behatted smoothie sold from Wednesday 4th November, innocent and Sainsbury's will give 35p to Age Concern and Help the Aged. What better encouragement do you need for a pre-Christmas detox?
As ever, some of the hats already submitted are incredibly imaginative. This 'froggy hat' by Merriwen 2009 is my personal favourite. I just love the tiny toy fly!
Read on after the jump for more of our favourites.
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Crafters are such lovely people. If it was up to me we'd take over the planet and world peace would ensue (unless we ran out of safety pins or PVA glue). That is why it comes as no surprise to me that quilters have decided they are going to aim for world peace.
Quilting for Peace is a quilting pattern book with a difference. Not only does it contain 15 'super-easy to not-too-difficult' projects but it also has interviews with an extraordinary assortment of women and men who are making a difference to the world through their quilting skills.
From warm bedding for the homeless, to comforting covers those who are sick, hurt, or grieving, to blankets to raise funds and draw attention to a cause, the people in this book are both ordinary and extraordinary.
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Knitting in the nip? Inspired by the ladies of Rylstone and District's WI who got their kit of and got crafty for charity back in 1999, Boltons Knitting Noras have made a calendar of their own.
The group of knitters and crocheters was formed in 2005 by two founders, Sarah Richards and Bev Adam, doing the usual admirable knitterly charity knits and fundraising. Sadly in 2009 Sarah died from breast cancer, and in light of this loss the group were inspired to do something fabulous with their sticks and string to remember their friend and raise money for The Christie Hospital in Manchester.
The results of their knit-and-bare-it pictures can be seen in their fabulous Naked Knitting Calendar. You can buy it at the shops listed on their website and see the whole story laid bare on their blog.
Ladies we take our knitted hats off to you for getting your naked knit on for such a good cause.
If you're based in or around the London area and would like to try your hand at creating some unique clothes, you might want to head to the Camden branch of Oxfam this weekend, where designer and celebrity stylist Mrs Jones will be on hand to advise and instruct in a clothes customisation workshop to celebrate the store's new look: it's re-opening as a 'creative retro haven' selling DIY gear - all made by tweaking old clothes brought in as donations.
This Saturday (6th June), you can bring your own donations to the shop and learn how to rework them with Mrs Jones, who has worked with artists including The Killers, Scissor Sisters and Goldfrapp. Visit the store's micro site for more info!
Just a quick heads-up to the knitters out there who want to do good with their needles: the Knit a Square project aims to improve the lives of impoverished children in South Africa - many of whom have been affected by HIV - who do not have the home comforts that we take for granted in the West. Instructions and a pattern are here if you'd like to help make blankets for these kids; the charity promise that every single square they receive will be used to keep a cold child warm.
Related: Knit 4 Bliss to help premature babies | New coats for old dogs
Happy red nose day, all! Since we're all in the depths of recession, I've been massively cheered and impressed by how everyone is managing to conjure up cash to donate to Comic Relief today. Much of this generosity comes down to sheer creativity from individuals and organisations, and crafty people are really coming up trumps to knit, sew, stick and stitch their way to a bumper donation. Some are baking red nose cakes, The Stash Basket made this lovely comic relief blanket and I even heard about a glassmaker 'blowing' red noses!
Folksy's Crafteroo shop is selling hand-made items made specially to raise money for Red Nose Day, many with a bright and cheery red theme. I've picked out a few of my favourite items here. Meanwhile Rowan and The Knitter's charity corsage has been a huge success, with hundreds of crafters donating to download the pattern. And let's face it, it's far easier to wear a stylish corsage with pride than it to walk the streets sporting a bright red nose!
Follow the jump for more comic relief
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Half past four is definitely Cake Time in my book, so it seemed as good a moment as any to bring you news of an initiative from one of my favourite UK charities: Shelter.
Cake Time is a tasty way to raise funds for people with housing needs, while making yourself very popular among friends and colleagues in the process.
Follow the jump to find out how you can take part.
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