Handmade for the Homeless

• Please make sure your donated items are ready to be gifted (stray ends woven in, soft against the skin, clean and smelling fresh), and in dignity condition.
• Our biggest need is adult items, but we can also accept items for kids.
• For adult items, please ensure they fit (try on your hats, and make sure scarves wrap around your neck at least once). If you find your scarf is too short, you can add more length, sew the ends together to make a cowl, or connect two similar-colored ones to make a longer one!
• Shelters have specifically requested items that prioritize warmth over style. Try holding two strands together or using thick yarn to make extra warm items! 
• Please consider creating patterns and designs that will appeal to people of all/any gender. Most of our partner organizations (including homeless shelters) are strictly “for men” or “for women”. Items will be categorized by gender for distribution.

• Worsted weight or bulky yarn is the most helpful – we unfortunately cannot use novelty yarn.
• Make sure your yarn is free of any pet hair and smoke.
• If you are mailing yarn, please wrap it in plastic to protect it from any damage/moisture that might happen in transit!

Due to very limited storage space at the EDCJCC, we ask our members to hold onto their finished items until our annual December “Big Count” deadline. If you have completed donations and can’t store them, please reach out.

Email Chana, and we will send you some basic knit hat patterns to get you started (crochet patterns are available too)!  There are also great patterns online and suggestions in our Ravelry discussion group (see link below).

There is plenty of donated yarn available! You may access our donated yarn stash to take yarn home to work from at any of our upcoming in person meetings. Contact Mira/Sonya if those times do not work for you. We have a lot of yarn, so please come take some of it home!

• To join our listserv, please email Chana Engel.
• We’re on Ravelry! Join the discussion here – please note that you must have a free Ravelry account to view our page.
• Find us on facebook at Edlavitch DCJCC Handmade for the Homeless to see photos of your items, updates, and more.