Knit-It-Alls Warms Bodies and Hearts

With over 50 volunteer knitters and crocheters busy year round, click-clacking with their needles and yarn is it any wonder that this was a record breaking year for RSVP’s (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program) Knit it Alls program?

Close to 2900 items were recently distributed to 26 non-profit agencies that serve the homeless in King County. Many of these are expertly handcrafted items that you might expect to find in a boutique. Hats, scarves, mittens, quilts, afghans and blankets as well as baby layette items including booties, sleepers, and little sweater sets are just a few of the pieces that were made available to those in need.

Not only volunteer knitters and crocheters were involved in this year round effort that culminated in December. As the items accumulated during the course of the year, two of our longtime RSVP volunteers faithfully came to our offices to sort and tag each item with a “Hand Made by RSVP” label.

By late November all available closet and spare office space was bulging with countless tubs and bags of knitted goods. In early December RSVP volunteers stepped up to the task and helped fill agency orders. Be assured that much love and devotion went into each and every hat scarf and mitten that was made. And just as much dedication and commitment went into the sorting, distribution and delivery of these beautifully handcrafted items that will now be put to good use in warming both bodies and hearts.

The gratitude expressed by those organizations and people receiving the knitted items cannot be understated. Time and again the knitters are thanked not just for keeping clients warm but for the beauty of the items and the fact that they are made with care and love.

If you think you might be interested in becoming a part of the Knit it Alls project, RSVP welcomes you. You can knit, crochet or quilt at home on you own or in a group. It really doesn’t matter where. You are free to use your own patterns and yarn or donated yarn that we have available. We would love to have you join us. For more information email janh@solid-ground.org or call 206.694.6786.