Knitting for charity

[BloodyDisgrace]

WARNING: 1st world problems

I've been knitting a few large-sized blankets (chunky double-knit, wool mix so should be warm) for charity which said at the time they needed the blankets mainly, and had enough of baby clothes, and adult hats/scarves. They always acknowledged my parcel by a standard email.

They are quite active on social media, and always post a nice little baby hat/cardigan, or "look at the set of these lovely hats" they received from so and so, this is our "knit of the day" etc. In the end, I got a bit miffed that they never put any of mine in these posts, given that it takes much longer to knit a huge blanket and they were saying they need them most, and stopped knitting for them. These social media posts are probably creating an "expectation".

AIBU to feel like that? Or being a total c, given that charity is a selfless work etc etc? What would you do?

Yep, rotten tomatoes are probably due and welcome ...

Well, it's up to you who you knit for. It seems a bit petty to me but to each their own.

You could knit for Woolly Hugs instead. They put photos of every item on their Facebook page.

You shouldn't do things for public recognition, you do it because you think they are needed and you want to help or you don't.

WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo - thank you, I'll look up Woolly Hugs. I do stuff for cats and dogs home and they don't have a FB, always send the same acknowledgement and it's totally fine by me. It's just when it's kind of preferential it bugs me. Silly, I know ...

You probably are being a bit unreasonable, but I can't say I blame you. Woolly Hugs are great. Come join!

www.woollyhugs.org/

I know you don’t do it for the recognition, but when other people’s contributions get posted and yours don’t it is disheartening!

I’d also recommend Woolly Hugs, a fab charity who truly appreciate all contributions.

thank you all for being so understanding, (I thought there would be a lively queue with popcorn), definitely Woolly Hugs is my next move.

I don't think many people appreciate the long hours of knitting involved in a blanket.

I knitted an intricate 'wedding ring' blanket/shawl for a baby - it's called that because it's so delicate that you can put it through a wedding ring, without it getting stuck. It took 6 months.

It came second in a County Show, behind a cute baby jacket. I recognised the baby pattern because I have knitted it myself a few dozen times. It's not called the Five Hour Jacket for nothing.

Isn't it always the way, though? Cute always wins

theOtherPamAyres - wow, you must have made a true work of art!

Yes, I often wondered if someone can churn out half a dozen hats in cheap acrylic, so not necessarily warm, but which will look cheerful or cute, and get all thumbs up, while using a wool mix or pure wool for something larger is not so impressive. I always asked the charities if they have specific requirement re: yarn, colour, as wool is more expensive. Some prefer Wool and Gang yarn, 9quid a skein, so it's more like "nope, won't do that".

Those Woolly Hugs square blankets are the thing of beauty! But then again, I don't know their preference for wool vs. acrylic, so will have to ask.

Woolly Hugs projects mostly use Stylecraft Special DK. Affordable and easily washed/dried. The only projects I know of that use non-acrylic are the actual Woolly Hugs, which are made up of squares sent in by lots of people, rather than one person making a whole blanket.

They are currently making a Woolly Hug in memory of a Mumsnetter who died. The thread is here.

The other projects are detailed on their website.

pam I know this is a bit of a derailment (sorry OP!) but what pattern did you use for the wedding ring shawl? Sounds like an excellent use of all the spare time I have (as a working mum of a lively 11 month old )

Maybe it's not 100% reasonable, but it's normal to want to feel appreciated.
I appreciate you, OP, because years ago I read about a similar project(maybe even the same one) for children whose parents have died of AIDS and who have nothing. It really, really moved me, but I'm only just learning to knit now. So it's uplifting to hear from someone who's actually doing something rather than just being moved!
I really hope you don't get permanently put off, although I could understand if you did.

WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo - thank you for the link, I'll see what I can do. Wool Warehouse is a familiar, I buy a lot from them, so it's good to know I can use this shop for JsOtherHalf blanket.

Blimey, these good people actually sew up other people's squares?? Saints. (It's a neat job, sewing them up, one can fuck up a blanket of perfectly lovely squares by sewing them up badly)

CoalTit - thank you :) I know, it's one of those "I wish I didn't feel this way but I do", not 100% reasonable. I love knitting, and have time for it. It's therapeutic, I can listen to some historical podcasts while I do it, the cats love it (I wash everything afterwards, as some recipients can have allergy, who knows ...) I'm a beginner though, but sort of cracked some crocheting as well.

what pattern did you use for the wedding ring shawl?

www.shetlandwoolbrokers.co.uk/epages/BT4917.sf/en_GB/?ViewAction=View&ObjectID=5044699&PageSize=40

I got a kit from Jamieson and Smith. I can't see the exact same pattern but there are a selection of shawl kits - or patterns and wool sold separately. Next time, I will just knit from 2ply lace shawl patterns rather than 1ply cobweb - unless its another real labour of love.

Sorry OP! back on topic......

I know exactly what you mean @BloodyDisgrace I've done charity craft work before and while you don't do it for applause, it is nice if they have a habit of displaying them on social media for them to include at least one thing made by each person rather than multiple from one knitter.

YABU OP. You getting recognition is not the reason/purpose for charity work.

On a side note I contacted Wooly Hugs about a bag of granny squares I inherited and I never heard back.

theOtherPamAyres - nah, not at all, you are being very generous to share this amazing pattern.

zeeboo - yep, you dig it. Possibly expectations too; the puss/dog house doesn't even have any social media - and, subsequently, I have no probs with them ... Doing good is ahelluva task it seems ...

Another cheer for Woolly Hugs.

The main organisers are 2 fabulous MNers; how they find the time, energy and organisational skill is beyond me, especially as they do it in their own time, for nothing.

The knitters, hookers and crafters are lovely.

pam thanks. I’ve already got a ridiculous Fairisle project in the wings so maybe I’ll start with that and work my way up - 2 ply seems fine enough for the moment. Bet it is blooming beautiful though.

@nellyolsenscurl how did you contact them? They are busy but I find they are usually pretty good on Facebook Messenger.

You are definitely not unreasonable to feel miffed at the lack of public acknowledgement for your efforts. Its not that you want acknowledgement at all - in fact would probably would avoid it but if others are having it why not you?
Its the same as on here - every so often someone will come up with 'Who is your favourite poster' which pisses off lots of people who name change often so never become regulars in one name.
Or at my workplace where they have collections for big birthdays/ weddings / retirements . But not for everyone. It depends on the person and who is doing the organising. That pisses me right off too.

Take a look at woolley hugs - but also let the other charity know why you aren't contributing any more.

I think I know the charity from your description - I get the impression they get tons (possibly literally) of donations so restrict themselves to showing one item a day on SM, so it's a matter of chance whether you ever get to be chosen or not. Which seems reasonable to me.
But do check out Woolly Hugs - they're very good.

I work in a hospital and we are bombarded with knitted donations. We're always very polite and send each donator a letter of thanks but to be honest we struggle to store all the stuff we get. We also get 'needy' and rude people who donate simply to be praised and thanked. People should donate because they want to not to be thanked.

BloodyDisgrace indeed. I've done a few, but it's hard work! I crochet them together rather than sewing as it's a bit more difficult to screw it up that way.

Happy knitting! :)