In March, we asked our community to nominate a friend who knits or crochets for charity for our first ever Charity Stitchers Award. Our third winner is Jamie Webb, from California. Jamie is an advocate for women, children and those in need. Inspired by her friends and her community she loves to crochet colorful blankets, stuffed animals, and other items that provide love and comfort. Here’s what Jamie had to say about stitching for charity. To view the Charity Stitchers Lookbook Pattern Collection featuring the pattern named after Jamie, click here. *Responses have been edited for brevity and clarity. Jamie Webb Jamie is an advocate for women, children and those in need. She is also President of the Hard Pink Sisterhood, whose sole purpose is to empower women as they provide service in local and surrounding communities. “Crocheting empowers people to make things that represent them. I’ve made lots of things to remind people that they’re not alone, that somebody cares about them. Knowing that you can make something that can provide a lifetime of memories or a reminder of something special is what makes me passionate about the craft.” 1) Have you always crafted for charity? How did you decide to donate your work? I started by crocheting things for my friends until it got to the point that I was overwhelming them with stuff. The natural progression was to start crafting for others in need. I am still making things and enjoying myself, but now, I am making things for a cause (or causes) that could never possibly get overwhelmed. A couple of years ago a friend posted on social media that she wanted to collect 100 hats for charity. I knew I could rise to the challenge, but I also wanted to get my community involved so I posted it on a Facebook group, and I ended up collecting double the amount that was needed. Then, everyone started sharing other things they were making for others, and it just became a joyful project. 2) How do you select the patterns you use for your donated projects? What about the yarn and other supplies? Depends on the charity. Some charities are specific on the yarns that they accept, and the colors that they want, but most charities are flexible. I look for yarns that are easy to care for, don’t pill, and are washable. I keep the wearer in mind. I get bored if I’m making the same thing repeatedly, so my best friend will send me patterns. I can horde patterns, so I have thousands. When I am looking for something to make, I’ll look at the categories in my collection and get inspired. Maybe I’ll make a pattern I have made before but in different colors, or a different style. I like colorful things. The more color the better. Tell us about your favorite charity that you donate to. Why did you start working with them? What attracted you to their mission? I have two favorites. I like Knitted Knockers – for women that deal with mastectomies and double mastectomies. I was diagnosed with cancer a year ago, and making things for them (chemo hats, etc.), is now more special to me because cancer is something I’ve been through. I also like this charity called Angel Blankets, where you make little blankets for babies that are premature and have passed. The hospital will wrap the babies in the blankets while the parents say their final goodbye and then the parents get to keep the blanket as a reminder of the baby they had. Who are your biggest influences? Who or what inspired you to do what you’re doing now? My community on Facebook and Instagram is what inspires me. A lot of my friends are LGBTQ, and there’s a lot of things that are going on in the world, where they need comfort. My projects help me offer that and reinforce that they’re heard and important to the world. My circle of friends inspires me. My best friend constantly sends me things saying, you would look great in this, or this would be pretty in this yarn that you use. Learn more about our other Charity Stitchers Aneeta Shepardson and Rita Artuso.
