The Best Knitting Charities in Australia
There is something inherently generous about knitting. For many of us, it brings joy not just to ourselves but to the people around us. I’ve always loved seeing the delight on someone’s face when they receive a gift that I have made especially for them. But things change, the kids grow up (and apparently home-knits aren't so cool anymore). At least that's the case with my boys.
If you're looking to knit for others there are so many wonderful charities that accept donations. The tricky part is knowing where to start. When I first set out to donate my knits, I wasn't sure what to do and met with some dead ends.
That’s why I created this guide.
It lists charities by cause, explains what they need and tells you how to donate. Each organisation included here is active at the time of writing. I will do my best to keep this up to date, and if you know of any that are no longer operating or missing from the list, I’d love to hear from you.
Does Knitting For Charities Make a Difference?
Sometimes I get discouraged. As a highly sensitive person I struggle to understand and process the bad things that are happening in my home country and on the world stage. It can make me feel small and powerless, which can keep me stuck and inactive. When I feel like this I remind myself that even the smallest positive acts can make a difference. I find this simple but powerful quote by American philosopher William James helpful too...
“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.”
There are also numerous studies that support the idea that acts of kindness truly do have a ripple effect. For instance, a study conducted by Social scientists James Fowler and Nicholas Christakis in 2010 revealed that a single act of kindness can go far beyond the person you directly help. It can set off a chain reaction, influencing not just the person who benefits, but also others connected to them and even people further along in their network. For example, if someone sees you being kind to someone, they’re more likely to pass that kindness on to another, and the effect keeps spreading.
Your kindness, and mine will always reach far beyond ourselves and our knitted items truly do make a difference in the world.
Knitting Charities By Category
To make it as easy as possible to find the knitting charity that means the most to you, I've arranged them in categories by cause. The first category, Community and Crisis, covers the larger more general organisations and the others are more specific.
Community Care and Crisis Support
In this category I've included some of the more well known organisations, that offer help to a wider range of people in need included those facing homelessness and hardship, refugees, community efforts and serious illness. If you're passionate about helping a particular cause you can browse the other categories I have made below.
KOGO Knit One Give One
One of the largest and most recognisable knitting charities in Australia, KOGO collects handmade items and distributes them to over 400 accredited organisations. What I love about KOGO is that they do the heavy lifting in terms of getting the knits to where they are needed most. This leaves you with more brain space to focus on what you want to knit and feel comfortable knowing that they'll take care of the rest.
What to knit: Scarves, beanies, socks, gloves, baby items, toys, adult blankets, knitted squares, garments in Indigenous colours
How to donate: Drop off at locations across Australia, including many Lincraft stores. Check the KOGO website for your nearest location
Wrap With Love
Wrapped With Love creates knitted blankets for people experiencing homelessness, refugees and communities in need. If you have been wanting to join a blanket squares group then this is a wonderful choice. They have knitting groups in various locations, which is lovely as you can really see the blankets growing quickly in a group. Check the website to find a group in your local area.
What to knit: 25cm knitted squares that are later joined into blankets
How to donate: Details on the Wrap With Love website
Squares for Comfort (Facebook group)
Squares for Comfort is a community-led group coordinating knitted and crocheted squares into blankets for people in hardship. This is another great option for blanket squares.
What to knit: Knitted or crocheted squares, sizes listed in the group
How to donate: Join the Facebook group for instructions
Bill Crews Foundation
Supports people experiencing homelessness and disadvantage, mainly in New South Wales.
What to knit: Blankets, warm clothing, handmade toys
How to donate: Contact the foundation directly
Babies and Children
Australian Red Cross Trauma Teddies
Handmade teddies provide comfort to children in distress during emergencies or hospital care
What to knit: Trauma Teddies following approved patterns
How to donate: Red Cross website
Life’s Little Treasures Foundation
Supports families of premature and sick babies in neonatal units
What to knit: Premature baby clothing, blankets, caps, booties
How to donate: Check donation guidelines on their website
Miracle Babies Foundation
Provides knitted items and care packs for premature babies
What to knit: Small blankets, baby clothing, hats, booties
How to donate: Visit Miracle Babies for approved patterns
Tiny Sparks WA
Supports families of newborn and premature babies in Western Australia
What to knit: Baby clothing, blankets, caps
How to donate: Visit their website for details
Octopus for a Preemie Australia
Crocheted octopus comforters mimic umbilical cords to soothe premature babies
What to knit: Octopus comforters using approved patterns
How to donate: Instructions available through their official channels
Cancer and Serious Illness
Knitted Knockers Australia
Hand-knitted prostheses for people who have had a mastectomy
What to knit: Prostheses using approved patterns
How to donate: Registration and pattern approval required via their website
Knit4Charities
Hub linking knitters to charities supporting cancer patients
What to knit: Chemo hats, scarves, comfort items, project-specific items
How to donate: Check current campaigns via their website or community groups
Bushfire and Flood Recovery
Oz Comfort Quilts
Coordinates handmade blankets for communities impacted by disasters. Current focus: Ravenswood South fire, Harcourt
What to knit: Crochet granny squares or knitted squares
Hook/needles: 4–4.5mm
Yarn: 8 ply DK
Size: 8 round granny square or 8-inch knitted square
How to donate: Send to Susan, PO Box 901, Castlemaine VIC 3450
Wildlife Care and Conservation
Penguin Foundation Knits for Nature
Supports wildlife rehabilitation, including little penguins
What to knit: Penguin jumpers following approved patterns
How to donate: Penguin Foundation website
WIRES
WIRES is the biggest wildlife rescue organisation in Australia who provide day to day support for sick and injured wildlife as well as bushfire and emergency rescue.
What to knit: Pouches for sick and orphaned joeys, possums and other baby animals.
How to donate: See this page for more details
Conclusion and Next Steps
Knitting is more than a craft, it’s a tool for making a tangible difference. By choosing a charity that aligns with your values and following their donation guidelines, your handmade creations will bring warmth, comfort and joy to those who need it most. Take action today: Pick a charity from this guide and start your next project with intention. If you’re feeling inspired, share this post with fellow knitters so we can make even more of an impact together. If you know of any charities that I should include in this resource please let me know in the comments below and I will update it as soon as possible.