Wool-Aid knitters and crocheters are the best source of patterns and pattern recommendations for our Wool-Aid kids.

Our member designers have been really busy! Several new patterns have recently been added to the Wool-Aid Designer Patterns section of the Patterns page on the website. These patterns all meet Wool-Aid Guidelines, without modification. All of our member designer patterns are free, and all can be downloaded directly from our website’s Patterns page.

Here’s a sampling of some of the new patterns that are available for you:

In addition, Ravelry has a relatively new feature called Bundles, and our Wool-Aid group on Ravelry has been building Wool-Aid Bundles with recommended patterns from many sources. Some of these are paid patterns, but most of them are FREE! We have a Bundle for each of our focus items: Sweaters, Vests, Socks, Hats, Mittens, Blankets. While all of the patterns in the Bundles are good to use for Wool-Aid, some will need to be adapted to meet Wool-Aid guidelines, so notes have been added where appropriate. Because gauge differs from one person to another, always refer to the Guidelines; if working on a sweater, be sure to refer to the Sweater Dimension Guidelines (downloadable for reference) as well.

One of the neat things about Bundles is that we can link to them from the Patterns page on the Wool-Aid website so that they are accessible to all! You can download the patterns directly if they’re free, and you will be able to purchase them online if they are paid patterns. The paid patterns are indicated by a “$” below the pattern picture.

It’s a great resource. We hope you enjoy browsing the recommended patterns and find something you’re excited about making for our Wool-Aid kids!

Wool-Aid’s goals for 2014 were ambitious, but our wonderful knitters and crocheters met them—and more!

Shown below are the goals set by Wool-Aid for 2014, followed by the number of each item received during the year plus the number of each item shipped out during the year to help children around the world be warm this winter:

Item: Goal / Number of Items Received / Number of Items Shipped

Hats: 2400 / 2737 / 3447

Socks: 900 / 1066 / 1676

Sweaters: 725 / 792 / 979

Vests: 500 / 447 / 897

Mittens: 400 / 486 / 507

Blankets: 75 / 75 / 187

TOTALS: 5000 / 5603 / 7693

In 2014, Wool-Aid sent warm woolen clothing and blankets to Syrian children living in Lebanon and Jordan (2365 items), and to children living in Tibet (2056 items), Afghanistan (2238 items), and Mongolia (1034 items).

Note: Some of the items included as shipped in 2014 were also included in the Winter 2013-2014 count posted last year; we have now standardized on reporting by calendar year.

Our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you who helped to warm children living in the coldest climates and with the least access to resources! Thank you for making such a difference to so many children!

Wool-Aid has grown into Wool-Aid, Inc.!

Wool-Aid is now officially a non-profit corporation. We are registered in the State of Illinois, and the Illinois Attorney General’s office lists Wool-Aid, Inc. as a Charitable Organization. This means that Wool-Aid is recognized as a charitable organization that is organized as a non-profit corporation, but it does not confer tax-exempt status at the federal level.

We are also looking into the possibility of filing to become a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. If we do that and are successful in gaining approval, then all contributions to Wool-Aid would have tax-exempt status. If Wool-Aid’s federal tax status changes, it will be announced here and via e-mail.