Knit it Forward

Community Involvement is a key objective of the West Coast Knitters’ Guild. Our primary means of involvement is through financial and in-kind donations to Nova House, a safehouse for women and children in Richmond, BC. Each year we participate in local craft sales, selling items that have been knit and crocheted by our members. Proceeds from these sales are given to Nova House on an annual basis.

The Guild also encourages members to support local charities of their own choosing. They do this through the donation of funds, hand-crafted items, and the collection of used postage stamps. Among the groups we currently support are Project Linus, BC Children’s Hospital, Variety Club of BC, and the Union Gospel Mission. The following are just a few of the ways in which you can help our members support these groups.

Donations of Knit or Crocheted Items:

Nova House, operated by the CHIMO Crisis Centre in Richmond, BC
The WCKG has chosen Nova House as the primary recipient of our charitable work. Guild members are invited to knit and crochet hats, scarves, gloves, toys, and other items, which will be sold by the Guild at local Holiday Craft Fairs. Proceeds from these sales are donated to Nova House.

Items are collected at Guild meetings year-round by Jessica T.  Please see our members only Craft Fair Page for information about the items we need most!

Blankets for the Variety Club
New, handmade, washable blankets are given as gifts to seriously ill and traumatized children, ages 0-18.  All sizes and styles of blankets are welcome, including crocheted or knitted afghans, quilts, tied comforters, fleece blankets, and receiving blankets.  Blankets should be colourful, cuddly, and cheerful and made from washable materials (please do not use wool yarn).  The Variety Club distributes these blankets to hospitals around the GVRD (e.g. Ronald McDonald House and the Easter Seals House).
Blankets are collected at Guild meetings by Maureen P.

CLICK! For Babies Purple Hat Campaign
The Period of PURPLE Crying is a normal, but frustrating period of increased crying that all infants experience in the first few weeks and months after birth.  In order to educate parents about this phase, the BC Children’s Hospital collects and distributes purple hats to babies born in October and November.  Hats may be knit or crocheted; they should be sized for newborns, and must be at least 50% purple.  Details are available on the CLICK! For Babies website.
Hats are collected at the September Guild meeting by Glenda M. and at many local yarn stores.

Lighthouse Harbour Ministries
Vancouver’s Lighthouse Harbour Ministries is a mission who’s work is dedicated to serving the Lord among the seafarers of the world. They provide help and support to the more than 40,000 ship workers who visit the Port of Vancouver every year – loneliness and separation from loved ones are just some of the problems these seafarers face. Knitted toques are collected and donated to seafarers who may not be used to our cooler winter temperatures.

Knitted Knockers Canada
Knockers Logo

Knitted Knockers are special handmade breast prosthesis for women who have undergone mastectomies or other procedures to the breast. They are a soft, comfortable, lightweight and free alternative that are made from high quality pima cotton yarn.

Guild members support this organization by knitting knockers to distribute locally through cancer support agencies and we are always looking for more knocker knitters.

If you are interested in knitting and/or crocheting knockers, or, if you are a yarn shop and are interested in being a knocker collection site location, please contact us at bcknockerknitters@gmail.com. You may also drop off your (unstuffed) knockers to our monthly Guild meeting. Help us make life changing knockers for cancer survivors. Here is the easy pattern and a list of local yarn shop collection sites.

Other Ways to Help

Clearing out your yarn stash?
Unwanted yarn can be donated to the guild, where it will be passed on to people who can knit it into items for charity.  Please make sure the yarn is clean and in usable condition, and that it is free of any pests (moths, fleas, etc.). Contact us to arrange the donation.