LKGM has proudly supported many charity knitting projects over the years. Knitting for charity is a great way to lend your skills to others in need. Making a handmade gift can show that you are giving courage and strength to people who need it most.
Our current charity project is listed below for our members.
We have also listed other charities that have requested hand knitted items in the past. Please follow the links to their websites and contact them separately to determine their current item needs.
Our LKGM 2026 Charity Knitting Project
The Dempsey Center
"Socks and Shawls KAL"
Many of our members expressed how heartwarming it was for them to participate in our last charity donation KAL and how they were looking forward to the next opportunity to knit for others. So, the Board reached out to a number of charities to review their possible knitted item needs and The Dempsey Center jumped at the chance to work with us! They let us know they have two specific items that their patients always request, so we chose to make that the focus of our summer charity KAL -
Comfy socks
and/or
Warm shawls/wraps with pockets!
Members can choose any pattern and yarn they would like that fits The Dempsey Center's Guidelines listed on this page. We will be posting some pattern ideas in our May and June newsletters and on our website soon. Items will be collected at our August meeting and one of our Board members will then bring them to the Dempsey Center for distribution to clients.
Each item must have its specific fiber content and care instructions included. If you need, we will have small "labels" for you to use to attach the information to each item you are donating. We will start the KAL June 1st and end it with our August meeting. We will also plan for a prize drawing, so stay tuned for the details on that. Your knitting will bring such comfort to someone that truly needs support. And we will all love to see what wonderful designs you create!
Dempsey Center KAL Guidelines
Pocket Shawls or wraps
• Please choose rectangular shaped only and include hand pockets at each end. When looking for patterns, these are sometimes called "reader wraps".
• To meet a variety of client shapes and needs, they request the shawls/wraps measure approximately 19-25” in width and 60-75” in length. Pockets should be minimum 6” width & length but larger 8-10” are encouraged. Think about easily slipping your full hand width inside the pocket.
• Any type of fiber or color is fine! Designs should focus on being warm and cozy. Easy to care for items are encouraged.
• No fringe, tassels or pom-poms. It can easily get caught on things or tangle.
Cozy Socks or Slippers
• Adult sizes for men or women only.
• Any type of fiber or color is absolutely fine.
• Designs should focus on warmth.
• Easy to care for items are encouraged.
Need some inspiration? Click the button to browse a list of pocket shawl patterns we've found!
Other Charity Knitting Opportunities
There are many other charities that could use your wonderful knitting skills. These are just a few that we are aware of and that some of our members have worked with in the past. Please click on any of the charity links below to learn more about each organization's current needs.
Their current guidelines and time frames can change quickly, so ALWAYS refer to their sites for the most up-to-date information.
Knitted Knockers are special handmade breast prostheses for women who have had breast cancer and undergone mastectomy or lumpectomy. Traditional breast prosthetics can be hot, heavy and sticky. They typically require special bras or camisoles with pockets and can’t be worn for weeks after surgery. Knitted Knockers are soft, comfortable, beautiful and when placed in a regular bra they take the shape and feel of a real breast. They are adjustable, washable and can even be worn while swimming. Our special volunteer knitters provide these FREE to those requesting them.
The mission of Each Stitch Counts is to alleviate hygiene insecurity by providing food pantries with dish and laundry detergent. Containers of dish detergent include a handmade dishcloth donated by crafter volunteers. Households dealing with food insecurity often deal with hygiene insecurity. We reach this community by supplying these products
Founded in 2007, we provide hand-knit and crochet beanies to people going through chemo and blankets for babies in NICU incubators.
100% of our handmade hats and blankets are provided for FREE. We are powered by the love, compassion, and kindness of people just like you.
We understand cancer treatment can be difficult and uncomfortable. Sometimes it is the little things that help you get through a difficult time. A variety of Handmade items are needed to be offered at no cost to registered Dempsey Center clients.
The Seacoast Mission gives thousands of knit items to people living on the coast each year through their Mission Christmas Program. Knitters and crocheters are welcome to send their items, to Maine Seacoast Mission Christmas Program. They have a special emphasis on warm handmade mittens and hats.
The Red Scarf Project is but one project of the group Foster Care to Success. Its aim is to place a handmade scarf into the hands of every foster child aging out of foster care and preparing to enter the world of college and adulthood. That scarf is, in turn, part of the FC2S Student Care Packages project, which aims to send former foster children three care packages a year. These care packages are likely to be the only “mail from home” that these students receive. So you can see what an important project this is!
The Red Scarf is offered as part of the Valentine’s Day Care Package. When one of these college students receives a Red Scarf, it usually becomes a treasured keepsake that the student will wear for years to come. The Red Scarf is a tangible evidence for such students that someone cares, enough to spend their precious time on a scarf just for them!