All You Needle Is Love

Hand-knit with Heart

Help us knit a kinder world, one square at a time!

Perfect for:

• Beginners and experienced knitters – we have had children as young as 5 knitting
• Anyone wanting to make a difference
• Students looking to earn community service hours in a creative way

Time to complete

• Depending on your skill level – approximately 1 hour

What you’ll need:

• 4mm knitting needles
• 8 ply yarn (any colour, wool or acrylic)
• Scissors

How to:

• You are aiming to create a square of 10cm x 10cm.
• This is about 20 stitches wide in knit stitch also known as Garter stitch – the most basic knitting stitch.
  • Most yarn will have a little diagram on the label that says how many stitches and rows are needed to make a 10cm x 10cm square.

1. Gather your supplies – 2 knitting needles, 8 ply yarn and scissors
2. Cast on 20 stitches
   • Note: this will not look like it is 10cm wide at this stage! Don’t fear – it will spread to 10cm when you start knitting rows
   • How to cast on video
3. Knit
   • 20 stitches of knit stitch/garter stitch wide – this will be approximately 10cm
   • Knit rows until your square is 10cm long
   • How to knit video
4. Cast off
   • How to cast off video
5. Admire your work!
6. Bonus! If you would like to add a label.
   • Please print this page (ideally on thicker paper or card) and write your FIRST NAME only. You may write your age but, to protect your privacy, please do NOT write your last name.
     • e.g. where it says “Hand-knitted with heart by:” you might write Jane, age 8
   • Feel free to colour it in or add a drawing on the reverse side.

What’s next?

1. For schools: return your finished squares to your school’s collection box
   • if you are seeking credit for community service hours, please ensure your square/s are packaged together with a label stating:
     • your name
     • class
     • school name
   • Your certificate of service will be emailed to your school’s nominated contact person
2. Community: contact us to arrange drop-off (Brisbane only).

How can I sign up myself or my organisation (e.g. school, OSHC provider, company)?

Reach out to us here and we will be in touch. So that we can send you the relevant information for your group, please include:

• your school/organisation’s name
• your city/state
• what type of organisation you are:
  • Primary School / OSHC
  • Secondary School
  • Workplace
  • Other

We have also created a flyer for schools which you can access here.

Still on the fence about giving it a go?

Not only are you doing good, knitting is also good for you! It’s calming, creative, and a great screen-free way to unwind. Whether you knit one square or ten, every stitch helps – and you might just discover a new favourite hobby while you’re at it!

7 benefits of knitting for the knitter

Here are just some of the numerous benefits for the knitter

• Stress reduction and relaxation: The rhythmic and repetitive motions of knitting have been shown to lower heart rate, reduce the stress hormone cortisol, and promote a sense of calm similar to meditation or mindfulness practices.
• Mental health support: Knitting can help manage anxiety and depression, offering a distraction from rumination and negative thoughts, and giving knitters a positive, meditative activity that supports emotional balance and mood.
• Cognitive stimulation: Regular knitters demonstrate improved memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. Knitting can help protect against cognitive decline and keep the brain sharp, engaging areas responsible for planning, focus, and task management.
• Improved fine motor skills: The process helps increase hand-eye coordination and dexterity, particularly valuable for older adults or people recovering from hand injuries. It is sometimes used as a gentle occupational therapy for arthritis.
• Increased happiness and sense of accomplishment: Finishing projects provides a sense of achievement and a boost of dopamine, contributing to greater happiness and self-esteem. Studies have shown that a significant percentage of knitters feel happier while knitting.
• Mindfulness and presence: Many knitters experience a ‘flow’ state while working, becoming absorbed in the task and tuning out distractions and everyday worries. This promotes mindfulness and may help combat hyperactivity by focusing excess energy.
• Social connection and community: Knitting groups, both online and in-person, foster valuable social interactions, combat loneliness, and provide opportunities for shared learning and friendship. Social engagement is important for overall mental health and well-being.

Questions?

Get in touch with us here.