I’ll be the first to admit, I love to knit for myself. It’s a lovely feeling to put on a sweater you’ve knit yourself, or slip on a pair of made-by-you socks. But honestly, I love to knit for other people even more. There’s something about seeing a loved one wearing an item I’ve made that just makes me feel warm and fuzzy.

And that feeling is multiplied by a thousand when I knit or crochet for someone who really needs it. Which is why I’m thrilled that Knit and Stitch is partnering with A Wider Circle, a wonderful organization that helps members of our own community who are going through tough times.

On Monday, April 11, at 6:30 p.m., we’ll kick off our project with A Wider Circle by knitting and crocheting hats for babies and kids. Lauren Snow, the director of education for A Wider Circle, will join us to talk about the group and the people they help. We’ll meet throughout the year to knit and crochet for our neighbors in need, and you can always drop off your handmade items at the shop in between our charity knit nights.

I asked Lauren a few questions about the group and what they need, so that we can all refer back to this information any time. And at the bottom of this post, there’s a bit more info about Monday’s event and how you can join in.

Q: Tell us briefly about A Wider Circle and the people you help.

A Wider Circle is a 501(c)(3) grassroots nonprofit organization that provides holistic support to families in need.  What this means is that we furnish the homes of children and adults who are transitioning out of domestic violence or homeless shelters, or who are simply living without what most of us take for granted – beds, dressers, sheets, towels, and other basic need items.  We also provide educational programs on topics ranging from job skills and money management to stress management and other life skills. One of our main education programs is Well Mother, Well Baby, which provides comprehensive information and support to pregnant and parenting teenagers through a class series, graduation baby shower, and mentorship program. We hope to prepare these teenagers for a healthy pregnancy and birth, teach them positive parenting skills, and encourage them to pursue education and employment.

Q: How can Knit and Stitch knitters and crocheters use their talents to help?

Knit and Stitch can help in a variety of ways. As mentioned above, at the end of each Well Mother, Well Baby class series we hold a class baby shower where we provide each student with many of the things needed to begin parenthood, such as a pack n play, changing table, car seat, stroller, diaper, clothes, etc. We are always collecting new and used donations of these baby items — so that would be one way to get involved. The unique way that folks from Knit and Stitch can help is by creating handmade baby items – these always make the baby showers more special because it communicates how much we care about each individual student and baby. Knit or crocheted blankets, hats, booties, or even sweaters in newborn, infant, and toddler sizes would be much appreciated! In addition to traditional boy and girl colors, we always need gender neutral colors for mothers who don’t yet know their baby’s gender.

Q: How are items distributed to your clients? What kind of feedback have you gotten from them?

We create baskets of smaller items, such as diapers, blankets, clothes, pacifiers, and socks to bring to each student on the day of the baby shower. Larger items such as strollers, pack n plays, car seats, swings, andchanging tables are picked up by the students at our center. We usually display all of the donations in a large room and allow the girls and their families to “shop” for items that they need.

The students are always grateful and relieved when they receive these items. Almost all of them have a hard time making ends meet, and baby items are incredibly expensive. Just like any other new mother, these teenagers want to give their babies everything they need, and community support helps make this possible.

Q: Besides contributing handmade items, how else can Knit and Stitchers help? What kinds of items do you need most right now? What is the best way for people to get items to you?

Knit and Stitchers can get involved with A Wider Circle by volunteering at our Center for Community Service, participating in one of our monthly drives (In April, we are collecting personal care items), or making either a furniture or financial donation. See the online wish list for a list of items that are especially needed.

The Well Mother, Well Baby program is also always recruiting experienced mothers to serve as facilitators and mentors. There may even be a way to combine knitting and mentoring! During one of our recent stress management classes, I mentioned to a group of students that I knit to relieve stress and every single girl expressed an interest in learning how to knit so that she could make baby items!

We also need help gathering items for the class baby showers. You can help with this by donating your gently used stroller or car seat, purchasing new items off of our wish list, or hosting a community baby shower or baby item drive – please visit www.awidercircle.org or email lauren@awidercircle.org for more details.

Items can be dropped off seven days a week at our Center for Community Service:

9159-C Brookville Rd, Silver Spring 20910, Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m, and Sunday 12 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Thank you so much for your interest in supporting the Well Mother, Well Baby Program. Everyone at A Wider Circle is happy about partnering with Knit and Stitch in support of some of our most vulnerable neighbors – young mothers and their children.

FOR MONDAY’S EVENT

Please join us on Monday at 6:30 to hear more from Lauren and to knit a bit for A Wider Circle’s clients. Bring washable wool (or other easy-care yarn) from your stash or buy yarn for the project at 30 percent off. We’ll provide some easy hat patterns, so all you need are needles or a hook appropriately sized for your yarn. If you have a favorite hat pattern to share with others, please bring that as well. And we encourage you to make room in your stash by donating some washable wool or other easy-care yarn for this project. You can bring it Monday night or drop it off any time.

We can’t wait to kick off this project!