Knit The Rainbow
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Knit The Rainbow is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in New York City. At least 40% of the homeless youth in New York City identify as LGBTQ+. Knit the Rainbow works to empower and protect these youth by providing them with handmade knit & crochet winter clothing accessories. Knit the Rainbow (KtR) is the first organization of its kind in the United States, providing thousands of hand-made winter garments a year for homeless LGBTQ+ Youth. Our programs are dedicated to giving these youth a warm and fashionable protective layer of clothing that is imperative to their comfort and survival during harsh winter months.
what are we crafting?
Item Requested | Craft Type | Quantity Requested | Quantity Still Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
Earwarmers/Headbands | Knit/Crochet | 150 | 105 |
Cowls/Neck Warmers | Knit/Crochet | 100 | 100 |
Fingerless Gloves/Wristers | Knit/Crochet | 150 | 140 |
project must-knows
OKAY TO SHIP OCTOBER 1st
The following information comes directly from Austin Rivers, Founder of Knit the Rainbow during my 1:1 Zoom with him as well as when he spoke during one of our Sew-A-Thons. LGBTQIA+ youth living on the streets are trying to blend in. They have been thrown out of their homes for their sexuality or gender identity. They don't want a rainbow on their body to further target them on the streets. Colors that both hide dirt and help them blend in keep them safe.
COLORS: For safety and no access to washing facility, please use
Black
Forest Green
Dark Purples
Dark Blues
Darker Grays
Browns
Camouflage Yarns
Verigated Yarns in these color families
Fiber Type: Washable wools and acrylic are ideal for this project.
What are WE making? We keep a focus on the items they receive the least of from other volunteers.
1. Fingerless Gloves/Wristers
2. Earwarmers/Headbands
3. Cowls/Neck Warmers
While our focus is on cowls, fingerless gloves and headbands/earwarmers, KtR is accepting the following items during their winter collection and we hope you will consider sending in any items you have made:
Hats
Scarves
Socks
Sweaters
Gloves
Scoodies
Earwarmers+++
Fingerless Gloves+++
Neck Warmers/Cowls+++
+++Our focus this year as these items are the ones they receive the least of from other volunteers.
TINY HEARTS: Feel free to include some tiny hearts with your items. DO NOT attach them to your item and do not leave long strings as they attach with a tag gun. You can tally them with us, but we are not adding them as an item we are collecting because we are not encouraging people to send them unless they are already sending donations of winter items.
cowls - scarves - scoodies
fingerless gloves/mittens - earwarmers/headbands
hats and hearts
shipping guidelines
Knit The Rainbow accepts packages anytime you are ready to ship them. We recommend working on multiple items and collecting enough garments at home and putting together a box or poly bag full prior to shipping so you have a full box, winters are long in NYC, there is time!
Knit the Rainbow has many local drop off points at local yarn shops across the country, check them out here.
Okay to begin shipping OCTOBER 1st!
Ship to:
NEW 2024 ADDRESS, PLEASE CHANGE IN PIRATE SHIP!
Knit the Rainbow, Inc.
4650 Broadway #2003
New York, NY 10040
For our statement on Give Back Box go here.