Every year, teams of knitters and crochet enthusiasts take part in the Innocent Big Knit, a scheme which is run in conjunction with the charity, Age UK. The company behind Innocent drinks has been working with Age UK since 2003, appealing to wool crafters to create little hats to top the brand’s smoothie bottles. Each hat knitted generates 25p to assist Age UK in providing essential support services to older people in the UK.
These little hats change lives thanks to hobbyists
In 2022, 1.5 million small hats were created for the Big Knit, bringing the total raised for Age UK to almost £3 million. So much can be done in communities with this money and in 2023, the hats will be back on the bottles. It is hoped to continue to raise even more cash for the charity and anyone can get involved, whether you’re a seasoned knitter or new to the craft.
How to get involved in the Big Knit
There are so many patterns to choose from on The Big Knit website and you can be as creative as you want. From simple crochet projects to more challenging knits, there will be a pattern to suit your skill level. From bobble hats to crafty animal patterns and dinosaurs and unicorns, the choice is yours.
Where can I buy my materials from?
There are so many wool colours to choose from and you can knit or crochet, whatever you enjoy most. Crocheting has become more popular in recent years and is now fully on-trend. Those new to the craft or seasoned hobbyists can enjoy the range of crochet kits available from specialists such as woolcouturecompany.com/collections/crochet-kits. It’s for all ages too, from young people to seniors. According to BBC News a 93-year-old has created a knitted replica of Buckingham Palace!
What should I do when I’ve finished knitting or crocheting my hats?
Once you’ve got the wool, your knitting needles and a comfortable chair, then you can knit or crochet as many little hats as you want in your free time, and it’s all for a great cause. You can get together with crafty friends over a coffee and swap ideas and patterns. Once you’ve created your little hats, you simply send them to Innocent at the address given on the website, or alternatively, you can hand them into your nearest Age UK store.