Knit for Kids
In 1996, Guideposts editor Brigitte Weeks published a devotional in Daily Guideposts telling about the inspiration she had found in knitting sweaters for refugee children. Readers spontaneously responded with an outpouring of handiwork. Over the next thirteen years, packages arrived daily at the Guideposts offices from volunteer knitters and crocheters, containing beautiful handmade sweaters in brilliant colors and sizes to fit all kids. Guideposts distributed them by partnering with World Vision, Feed the Children, Samaritan’s Purse, Children’s Hunger Fund, and WINGS to children in the United States and all around the world.
A “million smiles,” that’s a conservative estimate of how many people have been touched with joy by these gifts: the children who have received them directly or as a hand-me-down, their parents or guardians, and needleworkers who found their lives changed as they created these treasures with heart and hands. The original Guidepost's knitting project is now known worldwide as "Knit for Kids" and is managed by World Vision.
In 2007 Nancy Aamodt began a Knit For Kids ministry at Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church, and in 2008 she organized the first display of sweaters knit by friends and members of the congregation. After Nancy moved out of the area in 2009, Jan Mortensen has continued to organize the annual display of sweaters in April.
Interested in participating in this ongoing ministry? If you can knit and purl (or crochet), you have the skills to create a colorful sweater. There are three pattern choices:
- Basic Knitting Pattern
- Crocheting Pattern
- Tenth Anniversary Pattern (includes directions for ribbed bottom)
From October through March knitters meet on the third Tuesday of each month at noon at the home of Jan Mortensen, however knitting continues year round by interested individuals.
For more information, contact .