Want to take up embroidery/crochet again but who will want the results? Recommendations please

The craft group I belong to are currently crocheting, knitting and sewing for the Australia Animal Rescue, as linked by pps.

Otherwise we make hats and blankies for the local hospital preemie unit.

DD is the knitter/dressmaker/crocheter/rug maker/any craft you care to mention maker in our family - and her good are in high demand.

It was fingerless gloves all round at Christmas, mostly commissioned and she has a Victorian sock knitter which churns out bed socks on demand, all in the colours of our choice. DDiL commissioned a pullover from a vintage knitting pattern, after one DD had made for DS had been much worn - and much admired. She has knitted her own crib set and has made some magnificent wall hanging.

She has now returned to work on her stair carpet to a pattern found on a period carpet sample.

It all started with a cross stitch kit.

I have stopped knitting sweaters etc for family now. The young ones seem to prefer labelled clothes!
I love to crochet/knit toys, Christmas tree decs and am currently making clothes for my Great Grandaughter's "babies". Anything to keep my hands busy.
Last year I was asked to knit some premature baby hats to send abroad to undeveloped countries. They are always very grateful. Toys would always be welcome there too.

I too used to belong to a knitting group but stopped about three years ago as there was no longer any market for even exquisite knits for babies not to mention clothing and hats for older people. One woman said in my hearing that it 'all ended up in landfill anyway'. Not very encouraging, especially given the cost of yarn. That said, I'm still knitting for charity shops and they do seem to like getting the results. So onwards and upwards!

No offence taken, hence the lol. No good at smileys.

Good God, no criticism of anything anyone previously posted. I did read the thread, but I am suffering from gold fish mind today.

I am deeply apologetic if I sounded as if I was criticising you, I wasn't.

Monica, you wouldn’t be saying that I make awful things would you lol? It doesn’t seem to matter how trendy the shades, how gorgeous the yarn or how intricate/plain the designs, there’s still a limited market - and I’m including giving things away as well as trying to sell them. My main aim is to keep my fingers busy rather than make any money from my work. Fat chance anyway.

Perhaps I should post a few photos.

I was really just wanting to sound a note of caution because yarn can be quite expensive if you want something that’s not just bog standard.

Hello, I am a very keen crocheter (is that a word!?)

I belong to one of these groups:

www.lovinghands.org.uk/

Here is another cause:

www.sands.org.uk/get-involved/fundraising/fundraising-resources/crochet-pattern

If money is tight, it can be an issue. However, the groups get donated yarn, and I scour charity shops. My last SANDS blanket was made with yarn from a charity shop that I got for pence because it was tangled.

The main thing is to use modern colours and designs. Babies, for example, rarely wear pretty pastel colours these days done in delicate lace patterns, but rather bright colours and heavier threads.

Often, what makes things unacceptable or under used is that the style and colour is wrong.

I've still got blankets my mum and my gran crocheted. Goodness knows what will happen to them after me! I did watch Kirstie doing Christmas and it stuck me that the designs my mum used for table mats, doilies etc would on a smaller scale make snowflakes for Christmas decorations. But it's very fine crocheting

My mom used to knit for premature babies for the local hospital,i don`t know if they would take them now with the health and safety brigade apparent.
But there are the homeless to consider gloves/scarves etc.
And well done you Giulia.

Grannytomany, I find that hard to understand. Animal shelters and Cats Protection are always asking for blankets for their animals. They are talking about donations, of course, they won't buy them from you.

That's a really nice site dragonfly thanks for posting!

I already have an 'Outlander' shoulder cape ... I get so many compliments on it, including from complete strangers on the train or bus.

I don’t want to dampen anyone’s enthusiasm but it can be very hard to find people who actually want the things you’ve so lovingly produced so it’s probably best to be prepared for that.

I like to crochet while I’m sitting at night and though I say it myself, make some lovely blankets of all kinds and sizes but finding a buyer or just someone who will use them isn’t easy. Unless of course you’re making a commission for someone.

None of our local baby units have accepted donations for a couple of years now as I understand there are some h&s issues and much of my stuff ends up being donated to the hospice shop. I have sold a few things on eBay but am lucky if I get the cost of the yarn back. Etsy was a complete failure for me.

But I’ll carry on crocheting as I enjoy it so much. As people have said, there are loads of free patterns out there.

Mobile covers are lovely when crotchet as are children’s toys and blankets for animals babies too

Here's dragonfly's link made 'live':

www.thesprucecrafts.com/help-australia-wildfire-animals-4781336

Or twiddle muffs for dementia patients

Contact your local premature unit at the hospital. I know someone who is always making different things for the unit

I belong to a knit and natter group and word has come from Australia that too many things have been sent and they don't want any more.

Sorry Giulia see you already put perfume sachets! See how quickly I forget what I have just read! (frightening )

Blankets for animal shelters.
Hats for chemo patients
Bobby knockers for breast cancer patients

So many possibilities

What about making embroidered sachets that contain lavender? You could sell them on ebay/etsy and see if you are successful. I buy lavender net sachets in bulk from an on line shop.

Crochet blankets for babies etc also sell well. I bought 2 crochet blankets last year from Etsy.

I used to knit baby jackets to sell on line, I can't do it now unfortunately.

Best of luck, I understand the need to keep busy.

I've recently crocheted mobile phone cosies.
Christmas decorations too. I made little crochet Christmas trees, and Angels to hang from the tree. Last year I made my daughter 24 little Santa stockings as she wanted a different kind of Advent calendar. She strung them on tinsel this year and made them into a Garland.
Thesprucecrafts and moogly both have loads of patterns.

Crochet 'snoods' and simple fingerless gloves or handwarmers are very popular with younger members of my family. The trick is to use contemporary colours. My daughter crochets and Doodle is right, the amigurumi ones that she makes are hugely sought after by friends and family, also her other toy creations. They are cute! Look on Ravelry for patterns.

Tea is very popular, what about small tea cosies for those pots for one?

Small blankets for babies or for pet charities?