As you know, Hurricane Sandy made landfall in Atlantic City, N.J., last week and created devastation up and down the East Coast.

Over 80 people died as a result of the storm and millions have been without power for over a week.

Our headquarters and many of our employees and their families are based in Amityville, NY, which is on Long Island. Our office was without power, phones, and internet. Staff members didn’t fare much better with some homes under water. Our owner spent a great deal of time securing generators for staff members, even while dealing with damage to his own property.

We have now established some stability and are ready to start helping those around us. We are hearing from local yarn stores that are doing fund drives and opening their doors to cold knitters & crocheters who need a place to hang out and recharge.

While the immediate needs of recovering from the disaster (access to food and clean water) are best addressed by a cash donation to your preferred charity, we know knitters and crocheters express their concern through their crafts.

Clothing Drive

Knitting Fever has purchased 1,200 pairs of socks, 1,248 hats and 1,046 gloves which we are preparing to distribute to families in the affected areas through our vast network of independent local yarn shops.

We’re also distributing two pallets of large industrial garbage bags, which might not be the first thing that springs to mind as being needed, but there is a massive clean up underway and a shortage of bags.

“How can I help?” you ask.

Your donations of knit or crochet clothing, afghans, hats, scarves, etc.,  can help us do it again and again over the next few weeks. 

Please note donations are not limited to handmade items. Any items of clothing, blankets, etc., are very much needed!

We are coordinating with our network of independently owned Local Yarn Stores across the country to have them act as collection points. Once they have received your knit or crochet donation they’ll call us and we’ll arrange to have UPS pick it up at our cost. (Many stores–especially those in the affected areas– are donating a portion of their sales this month to hurricane relief, so it might be a good time to buy that yarn you’ve been eyeing, too.)

Use the “find a store” feature on our website to locate stores across the country that stock our yarn. You can search based on zip code. Keep an eye on your favorite store’s website or social media. They are starting to post about their participation.

It will surely be a great comfort for the victims of Sandy’s fury to know the rest of America is doing its part to bring some relief to those in need.

Please bring your knit or crochet relief items ASAP to your local yarn shop. The sooner we receive them the sooner they can start helping people in need.

We like to say that hand knit and crocheted items are like a long distance hug.

Well, the East Coast could sure use a hug right now!