Generous knitters and crocheters donated more than 5,000 garments to Debbie’s Knit1, Bless2 Charity program in 2011. This year’s goal: 6,000 donations! My Dear Friends: Everywhere I go, a universal topic of discussion with knitters and crocheters is the stash of yarn we’ve accumulated and couldn’t possibly ever use.  Well, do I have an idea for you and that wonderful bounty of yarn! All you have to do is answer my call to arms—or my call to needles and hooks—and work that yarn up into handiwork for my national charity initiative Knit1, Bless2. All across the country there are chemotherapy patients who’ve lost their hair, women who’ve experienced mastectomies and newborns who are needy. You can reach out and bless them by knitting or crocheting prostheses, chemo caps or baby blankets. As soon as you finish your items, simply ship them according to the instructions below and become a part of my Knit1, Bless2 charity initiative. Last year my enthusiastic knitting and crocheting readers donated more than 5,000 garments. My goal for 2012: 6,000. So we don’t have a minute to waste! Call your friends, get them involved, and chat up the program on your Facebook page. Excited about your project? Take pictures and post them on my Facebook page, and I will do the same! This year, I’ve selected three organizations to help distribute these lovely projects of your heart to the needy recipients. While I’m on tour for my August 14 novel, The Inn at Rose Harbor (where, by the way, knitting abounds!), I’ll be knitting my donations. If you come to one of my events, bring your project with you! When I see my reader friends knitting and crocheting, it warms my heart! Thank you in advance for being a part of KNIT1, BLESS2, and I hope to see you on tour!

Knitted and crocheted chemo hats for children and adults. Any hat pattern will work, but please use yarns that are soft on the bare head! Avoid wool if possible as some folks have wool allergies, or label the hat if it does contain wool. For more information visit HalosOfHope.org and here for pattern suggestions.

Provides love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of  handmade blankets and afghans of all styles, sizes, mediums, in child-friendly colors. All materials should be new and machine washable. For more information, visit ProjectLinus.org and here for pattern suggestions.

A Good Yarn Shop, Port Orchard, WA Cotton breast prosthesis, a comfortable alternative to silicone. Use any soft washable yarn or cotton, but wool is too scratchy. For knit and crochet patterns, visit AGoodYarnShop.com Note: If a hospital, clinic or individual is in need of knitted or crocheted breast prosthesis, please contact A Good Yarn Shop at 360-876-0377.

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