Here at Jimmy Beans we've been thinking a lot about ways to give back to the community. We love to knit
gifts for our friends and families, but we often forget how many people there are out there with no one to
knit gifts for them. It only seems right that the love and knitted gifts should be shared - that's why we're
starting our Knit for Charity program.
Each season, we'll be sponsoring knitting for a different charity. Here's how it works: You choose your
project (we'll put up guidelines for which items this season's program accepts, patterns, and which yarns will
work), order the yarn, and knit it up. Then, send the completed project back to us and we'll put 25% of the price of
the yarn into your account as a credit. We'll pack up all the donations for the quarter and send them off to the
charity - and keep you updated on the contribution, of course!
We're happy to announce that the inaugural charity for the program is Stitches From the Heart, an organization
whose volunteers hand knit and crochet hats, booties, blankets, and sweaters for newborn and premature babies. The
clothes are donated to hospitals around the country so that premature babies and needy newborns can go home from
the hospital with something to wear.
We'll start accepting contributions as soon as you (and we) are done knitting them! We're excited about the opportunity
to do some knitting for a good cause, and we hope you'll join us.
Contributions will be accepted through the end of September 2007.
If you have a charity to suggest for a future quarter, or a pattern for newborn or preemie clothing that you'd like
to share, just email us at ... We'd love to hear from you!
|
Check out some photos of all the wonderful donations we received and sent off to Stitches From The Heart!! We truly appreciate all the time that was contributed to make this huge stack of donations! |
![Stitches from the Heart](./images/newsletters/stitchesFromTheHeartDonationLarge2.jpg) |
From the Stitches From the Heart website:
Stitches From the Heart was started after president and founder, Kathy Silverton, read an article about
premature babies going home from hospitals with very little, if anything at all. Any time she had a few
minutes she knitted booties, blankets, and hats for the needy babies. Her friends noticed and soon they
were involved as well. At knit stores, she told other knitters and crocheters about her project and the
idea began to snowball. When an article was published in a local newspaper, she was amazed when over a
hundred women contacted her wanting to help knit and crochet for the children. Soon after, Stitches From
the Heart was born. Stitches From the Heart has just celebrated its Fourth Anniversary. Our volunteers
hand knit and crochet hats, booties, blankets, and sweaters for newborn and premature babies.
Our volunteers number 6000+ and so far we have distributed over 220,000 items to over 432 hospitals and
charities around the country! Our volunteers purchase their own supplies, and no one in our organization
receives a salary. The Donations received have ranged from nominal checks to buy supplies for senior citizens
who live in assisted housing and have fixed income, to Printers (donated by Epson) and gift certificates for
printing and shipping costs. Indeed our organization has touched many lives, and will continue to do so far into
the future. Our goal is to be able to provide handmade items for as many children from impoverished families as
possible. You see, we "Stitch From the Heart" because it is from the heart that all good things come.
Below you will find some basic information to get you started. Stitches From the Heart has tags you can print out and attach to your items.
|
- Yarns and materials used must be washable, and soft. Please, no straight wool items. See the list of recommended yarns, below.
- Wash items that get dirty, but don't use fabric softeners or perfumes. Babies can have very sensitive skin.
- Sizes are approximate and the finished product may be larger or smaller than the pattern. It's ok, so are the babies! The hospital will find the right size for the right baby.
- Booties stay on feet better if they have a ribbon or yarn tie around the ankle.
- If you attach a pompom or ribbon to an item, please be sure it is securely fastened!
|
Baby Weight |
3-5 lbs. |
5-8 lbs. |
8-12 lbs. |
Chest Measurement |
12" |
14" |
16" |
Finished Chest Size |
13.5" |
15" |
16.5" |
Finished Length |
6.5" |
7.5" |
8.5" |
Head Circumference |
12.5" |
13.5" |
14.5" |
|
Stitches From the Heart has a number of free patterns on their website.
We have several free baby patterns on our free pattern page. The free patterns are along the right side of the window; check out the diagonal blanket,
the Big Baby Booties, Cotton Chenille Crochet Baby Blanket, Jimmy Bootie and Sweater Sets, Fruit and Veggie Rattles, and Anna's Angel Hat.
Or, check out our selection of baby patterns.
(Please note however that we won't be giving credit back for patterns purchased, only the yarn purchased).
|
If you've designed a pattern (must be original, etc.) using yarn that we sell that you'd like to share with other
charity knitters, just drop us an email and we can add it to our list (or, you could always submit it to our pattern contest first!). If you have a pattern and need help converting to a smaller size, we can help. |
Popular yarns include:
|
Send your finished item to: Jimmy Beans Wool Attn: Stitches From the Heart 891 Trademark Drive Reno, NV 89521 |
In order to receive the credit for your yarn purchase, you must set up an account when you buy the yarn (if you don't already have an account).
You can start an account when you place an online or phone order. If you want to start an account online, just make sure to choose the "Create Account" option after you click "Checkout."
We don't share your information with anyone; the account just
allows you to track your purchases and receive coupons and credits - like the one you'll be receiving when you finish your
Stitches from the Heart item. |
When you send your completed item, please include your account information (your name and the email address under which you started the account), and
the order number from the receipt for the yarn (or a copy of the receipt). You must include the labels from the yarn with your completed item in
order to receive your 25% credit. Please include your phone number as well so we can contact you if we need more
information to find your account. |
When we receive your project, we'll put your 25% credit in your account. We'll send your project on to Stitches from the
Heart, whence it will go to a needy baby. We're currently working out the details of tracking donations so you can find out
where your knitted gift ends up. |
Spread the word! Do you have a knitting related website or blog? You can use the following image and sample link to create a link to this page: |
(Right click and save it, then post it up to your site.) |
Sample link: <a href="https://www.JimmyBeansWool.com/KnittingForCharity.asp">Jimmy Beans Wool Knitting for Charity</a> |
If you have problems or questions about creating a link to this page, email us at support@JimmyBeansWool.com! |