Are You an Aussie in Need of a Knitting Charity?

Are you an Australian knitter in search of a knitting charity that needs your help? Check out one of the charities shown here!

When I think “Australia,” I always think of bitingly cold winters and worry about the folks who need to…

… wait. Australia? Cold winters? Oops.

Yes, Australia isn’t exactly known for its chilly climate, is it? The land of kangaroos and koalas and surf and sun, yes. A need for warm woolen hats, scarves, mittens, and so on… not so much.

So if you’re an Australian knitter who wants to help people in need with your craft, are you out of luck?

Fortunately, I’m happy to say that the answer is “No worries!” Below are three fabulous charity knitting organizations that operate in the beautiful nation of Australia. You’re sure to find the right one for you from the following!

Not an Aussie? Visit this page to find the knitting charities written about on this site, categorized by location!

Knit 4 Charities

Knit 4 Charities may be the biggest and most well-known knitting charity in Australia. Several Australians have informed me about this fantastic organization, and I was so excited to learn more about it.

Knit 4 Charities has three state branches: southern Australia, western Australia, and Tasmania. Rather than helping one sole cause or organization, the knitters and crocheters (yes, those who crochet are welcome too!) behind Knit 4 Charities support many different causes.

Every month, Knit4Charities offers a different set of three groups to create items for. This diversification makes Knit 4 Charities a wonderful group for anyone who enjoys knitting or crocheting a variety of different projects throughout the year for charity. You can keep an eye on the various projects throughout the year on their calendar.

Please take a look at the Knit4Charities website to get an even greater feel for the amazing and extensive work done by members of this fantastic charity!

Knitting for Brisbane’s Needy

This particular charity came to my attention thanks to its owner/founder, Karen Croke. I don’t think anything I have to say about this group could match her own eloquent plea for more members to help with the group’s mission:

We are always on the lookout for new members to help us produce more garments to be given free of charge to the homeless; less fortunate people; victims of domestic violence; hospitals – particularly cancer patients and premature babies; aged care facilities; mental health facilities; and animal shelters, to name but just a few.

For the members of this organization, “needy” has a wide definition. It doesn’t simply refer to homeless or poor folks; it refers to anyone with any kind of need, as you can see from Karen’s description. Anyone who needs help can get it from this group’s dedicated knitters — even animals!

This is another group with wide parameters for projects. Just about anything you enjoy knitting can be used by this group! Find out more about this long-running organization (established in 2006) from their website or join their Facebook group.

Knit One, Give One (KOGO)

This may be Australia’s longest-running knitting charity, as it began to emerge into life in July 2004. As so many knitting charities do, it started with friends and family who decided to make scarves for the homeless. The next year they became an official charity, and membership quickly swelled to 200.

KOGO prides itself in creating for the most vulnerable members of the state of Victoria. These include homeless people, struggling families, refugees, at-risk children, indigenous communities, and women in shelters. They request many “typical” knitted items such as hats, booties, socks, sweaters, toys, mittens, scarves, and blankets.

From time to time they also have special particular needs, which they note on their website.

In addition to lists of needs, photos of donations, lists of recipients, drop-off points, and the like, the KOGO website provides a handy set of patterns that run the gamut from simple to more complex. So if you’re not sure what to knit, you can always scroll through their patterns for inspiration.

If you’re an Aussie and need an outlet for your knitting, you should definitely take a look at one of these organizations. I’m sure you’ll find that one of them is the perfect fit!