Fundraiser finds new homes for ‘underappreciated’ knitted items
WATERLOO — Knitters are gonna knit.
But that compulsion for knitting and purling means they sometimes create beautiful handknit items without a purpose.
“There’s some very prolific knitters who knit just because they want to knit,” said Karen Crouch, owner of Shall We Knit? yarn shop in Waterloo.
“A lot of us, we need to be knitting.”
Those knit items can find a loving new home while helping a local charitable organization thanks to an annual fundraiser hosted at the Waterloo knitter’s mecca.
Hand-knit items are donated by the makers and sold at the shop, with all proceeds going to the chosen charity.
This year’s beneficiary is Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region, which operates two emergency shelters for abused women and their children, and an outreach program.
“It’s just grown every year,” Crouch said of the fundraiser, which is now in its fourth year. It’s organized by local residents Sue Frost and Janelle Martin.
This year, donated hand-knits have spread into a second room in the shop. So far, about 70 items have been dropped off and at least 30 more are expected.
“We were so amazed with the number of things we got. We’ve run out of tags,” Crouch said.
They’re jokingly called an “underappreciated finished object.”
Maybe they were knit without somebody in mind, or maybe they don’t suit the knitter’s style. Crouch said knitters will pick up “tourist yarn” while they travel, but, once knit up, the appeal wanes.
“It was fun to knit. It was fun to buy,” said Crouch, holding a boldly coloured slouchy hat. “But this will be right up somebody’s alley.”
There’s a “little bit of everything” up for grabs, all made with quality yarn and sold for a good price: sweaters, scarves, shawls, hats and mitts. Some are knit with handspun yarn.
“There are some amazing pieces,” Crouch said.
They make great Christmas presents, and Crouch said the buyer’s secret is safe. “We won’t tell you didn’t knit this.”
The sale runs until the end of the year during the shop’s business hours. Items available are posted on Shall We Knit’s website at shallweknit.ca.