Always in Stitches feels strongly about giving back to our community. It is a big part of our mission as a shop. Along with the programs linked below, we also find homes for the crafts left when our crafting friends pass away. The Indiana Department of Correction allow the inmates to use the crafts we send them to create toys for children all over the world and locally. Knitting and crochet groups often pick up donated yarn to make blankets for donation to Project Linus, as well as making scarves for the homeless and mittens for local children.
Everyone knows quilters and other needle crafters are good-hearted people, so it’s natural that the shop leads with its heart. We’ve collected Project Linus blankets for years; when our county chapter’s coordinator had to move on and the chapter nearly closed, the shop took on the coordinator’s responsibilities to ensure Project Linus continues to comfort local kids that are critically ill, traumatized or otherwise in need. In our first four months, we’ve distributed about 400 quilts and blankets.
Several ways our customers have been encouraged to Make A Difference are by donating a specific item for a particular cause. We’ve collected hat and glove sets, pet blankets, Project Linus blankets, ConKerr Cancer pillowcases, heart pillows and chemo caps for the local Women’s Center, and backpacks for a free clinic helping outfit kids for back to school. We have customers who continue to bring knit baby hats for preemies to the shop, where we make sure they are distributed.
Project Linus