Spreading Joy Through Charitable Actions
The best part about being a maker isn’t just the finished object in your hands—it’s the connections you build along the way. This season, while many of us are thinking about gifts and gathering, there’s something powerful about turning our attention toward the fiber arts community that supports us year-round. Whether you’re a seasoned knitter or just learning your first cast-on, you’re part of a network of makers who lift each other up, share resources, and create meaningful change through yarn and needles. Supporting charitable fiber arts organizations and shopping sustainably can make a massive difference!
Help Reach In Need LGBTQ+ Youth with Knit the Rainbow
Our community thrives when we support one another, and there are some incredible organizations doing exactly that. Knit the Rainbow provides winter garments to unhoused LGBTQ+ youth—a vulnerable population that desperately needs warmth and support, especially now. Their “Winter Is Coming” fundraiser aims to raise $5,000 to help them distribute thousands of handmade hats, mittens, scarves, and cowls this season. You can get involved by volunteering to knit or crochet items using their collection of free donated patterns, or by dropping off finished garments at one of their 50+ partner yarn shop locations across the country. When you make something with your hands for someone who needs it most, you’re doing more than keeping them warm—you’re showing them they matter.
Volunteer to Finish Craft Projects with the Loose Ends Project
Another organization making a tangible difference is The Loose Ends Project, which connects volunteers who finish unfinished projects for people experiencing terminal illnesses or have passed away. Think about those UFOs (unfinished objects) sitting in your stash—now imagine the comfort of knowing a beloved project will be completed and given to your family. Volunteers pour love into every stitch, creating lasting memories for families during difficult times. If you’ve got the time and skills, consider volunteering with The Loose Ends Project to turn your craft into an act of compassion.
Supporting Our Fiber Arts Communities Near and Far
Gift-giving within the fiber community doesn’t have to mean buying new either. Secondhand yarn shops like Yarn Saver offer a sustainable alternative that keeps quality materials out of landfills while making the craft more accessible. A gift card to a secondhand fiber store is perfect for the eco-conscious crafter in your life—or even for yourself. You’re not just saving money; you’re participating in a circular economy that values resources and reduces waste. Shopping secondhand means someone else’s destash becomes your next masterpiece, and that’s a beautiful cycle to be part of.
The fiber arts community has always been about more than just making things. It’s about sharing knowledge, preserving traditions, and creating space for everyone to explore their creativity. When you choose to support charity fiber arts organizations, shop sustainably, or simply encourage another maker, you’re strengthening those connections. This season, consider how your choices—big or small—can ripple outward and create positive change in the community that gives us so much.
Get Secondhand Supplies for Your Next Project and Support At the Same Time
Ready to make your next yarn purchase count? Browse Yarn Saver’s inventory to find sustainable, quality materials while supporting a business model that values community and conservation. And if you want more ideas for thoughtful, craft-focused living, sign up for our newsletter where we share tips, patterns, and ways to stay connected with fellow makers all year long.
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