What do you do with the blankets you create? It's been a struggle for me, since I live in the middle of nowhere. I donate all of them, had a friend who came by a few times a year and I would send them along with her. But since I'm not sure when I will see her next I started to look into other places to donate.
Project Linus! Never knew that there were chapters in Canada, it was awesome to find a few. Of course none are anywhere near me....lol
We are going to Winnipeg Manitoba at the end of July for a wedding, found someone there who is part of Project Linus and will take all the blankets I have finished along and drop them off. Yahoo!
On the Canadian site they do have suggested sizes, so I will try to make blankets that size from now on. I noticed that they don't have sizes on the US site but they do have some patterns.
Over the past months I have been creating blanket patterns as part of the Blanket Challenge. So far I have 3 free patterns there. But more are coming :)
There are also free scarf & cowl patterns as part of the Scarf Challenge & Cowl Challenge. I just started the Cowl Challenge so there is only 1 pattern so far.
My plan is to alternate months between blankets, scarves and cowls. All the scarves, cowls and beanies I donate go to Chase the Chill in Edmonton Alberta. Thankfully, because I have a small business account with Canada Post, I can ship 1 package for free every Tuesday in October.
I worked with Project Linus for several years, then our chapter fell apart, and I couldn't take on the leadership post at that time. In any event, for them (and maybe other charities) we never used wool or wool blends. Many of the recipients (children) were in hospitals, and wool would be too harsh on their skin. That was fine with me--I'm allergic to wool. I would recommend never using wool for a charity blanket--you don't know who will receive it.
I belong to a group called Blanketing Manitoba and we make blankets (sewn, crocheted and knitted) and then distribute them to different local organizations every October.
My parish church has a knit and crochet group that makes double thick blankets and earflap hats, and scarves for the inner city (Edmonton) and then sends the warmer things up to a parish church in the Yukon. I love doing donation crochet 💕🙏🏻
I donate blankets to the hospital maternity unit for neonates or any other baby they deem warranted. Also, lap blankets for veterans homes and senior living.