Making squares for charity
Please check with your own charity coordinator. Don't assume these suggestions apply to every effort.

When you crochet for charity, each charity has its own rules. Here are some general guidelines that I have found helpful through the years with regards to making SQUARES for charity. Be sure to check with your charity coordinator to find out the specific rules for your charity effort. If nothing else, this will give you something to ask about.

I can summarize all the rules into 4 main points.

1) No knots (don't knot and cut, please leave long 6" tails and sew them in)

2) Measure vertically and horizontally, not diagonally

3) No fancy borders around squares. They must be flat so they can be joined to others easily.

4) Use 4 ply worsted weight acrylic yarn. Single strand. Unless otherwise stated.

Definition:
Square: Having four equal sides and four right angles.

1) SIZE: Pay attention to the requested size. If the charity asks for 12" then don't send 10". If they ask for 6”, don’t send 5”. You will get the most accurate size if you use a hard ruler (not a flexible tape measure) and do not stretch the squares.  Even if you've made the same square many times, different yarns work up differently. A quarter inch too small is usually acceptable – but again, check with your charity coordinator as to their policy.

2) YARN: 4 ply Worsted weight acrylic yarn. No wool. No cotton. No thread. No fur. Homespun and Simply Soft are okay. Do not use double strands unless specifically requested.

Recommended hook for use with worsted weight is G, H, I or J. In my experience, most people like to  use H or I. If you use too large a hook, the square is too stretchy and won't blend well with the others. It is also hard to weave the ends in well if your stitches are too large. Too small will give too many stitches across, making it more difficult to combine with other squares. Worsted weights are not all equal. Also, keep in mind your personal tension and adjust as necessary. Whatever size hook you use, be sure your square is the necessary size.

3) COLOR:. Keep in mind it has to be joined to others, so wild and crazy might not be the best colors unless that is what is requested. More notes on color below.

4) ENDS: VERY IMPORTANT. In fact, THE most important rule. DO NOT knot ends and cut off close to the knot. You must leave a suitably long strand (6" or more) at the beginning and end which is to be sewn/woven in and NO KNOTS. If you are uncertain how to do this go to the tutorial at Crochet Cabana.

Why? The short answer is that it will come apart, it leaves a hard knobby lump that is hurtful to sensitive skin, and little tufts of yarn that come out after washing are unsightly.

If you still are uncertain ask the assembler if you can leave them dangling. Sewing in ends is not something I love to do, but I'd rather take the extra time and know that it is done properly.

5) SHAPE: If you are asked to send squares, make sure it is a square and not an octagon, hexagon, flower or anything that is not a square. Flower squares are okay. Also, please make sure the squares are square. That means if the size is needed is 12, then the square should be 12" on all sides, not 12" on one side and 11" on the other side, for example.

6) EDGING/BORDERS: No picot or shell edges. Edges should be straight or they won't be able to be easily joined. An odd number of chains in corners can be helpful to assemblers. When joining, the center stitch or chain in the corner can be used to attach one square to another. You do not need to block or wash your square before sending.

7) PATTERNS: Any pattern that gives you the proper size is fine. Both granny squares and sampler squares are generally welcomed although grannies are easier on the assembler if a square needs to be resized. Please border sampler squares. Please also make sure samplers are no more than the requested size as they cannot be adjusted in width.

8) CHANGING COLOR: Multi-colored squares are welcomed. However, when making a granny square, please complete each round in one color. Do not change color in the middle of a round. In other words, do not have the entire square white and you run out of white, so you finish that round in green. If you don't have enough of one color to finish a round, start that round with the new color.

9) SQUARE PLACEMENT: If you are making squares that MUST be placed next to one another (such as squares that spell out a word) please attach these together with a large safety pin or long strand of yarn. This will help  in the joining efforts.

10) TAGS: If your charity requires tagging, follow your charity rules as to what info is needed on the tags. One option is to get business cards to use for this purpose. You can get inexpensive ones on the Internet.

11) POSTAGE: Postage costs vary according to weight so it depends on how many squares you are mailing. Some charities will accept donations for postage and others do not.

12) Do I have to be an expert crocheter or knitter to contribute? Does my square have to be perfect? NO. Absolutely not. We are all at a different place in our crafting experience. Every square made with love and compassion for the recipients is welcomed. It does not have to be perfect. But if you follow the suggestions above, I think it will be. *smile*

Information on Color

Note that items being made for military personnel have specific requirements. It is important to follow those rules. The below suggestions do not apply to military items.

Feminine Colors - This would generally be the pink, pastels, lighter reds, lavender, teal, rose, light and medium blues.

Masculine Colors - Darker colors like claret, burgundy, maroon or other dark shades of red, navy, royal blue, wedgewood, grey, camouflage in any shade, hunter green, sage, anything in the brown family such as coffee, warm brown, tan, taupe. Neutrals could be included if you are making an afghan and don't want it too dark, like a light tan or buff.

Most men frown on anything pink or flowery, while women will generally use any color, even those considered more manly. And they love flowers. :-)

Pastels - Would include very light shades of other colors such as baby pink, lily pink, pale yellow, pale green, light coral, light peach, frosty green, pale blue, aqua, mist green, anything with light, pastel or pale in the name. Pastel yarns are good for babies and women. Pastels are not for men.

Brights - Might include bright yellow, vibrant orange, cherry red, cardinal, really red, paddy green. If you can't stand the glare, it's bright. Red Heart Kids yarn is very bright. There are a couple of purples that are bright. Orange is usually a brighter color as is yellow. Brights would be used for kids and, in some cases, babies.

Primary - Primary colors are the basic blue, yellow, and  red.

The secondary colors are those you can make using two primary colors. Those would be green, orange, and violet (purple).

Babyghans are usually done in pastels, but I've seen them done in brights as well. It is very difficult to find a dark shade of baby yarn!

Neutral Colors - Might include ecru, aran, buff, off white, white, soft white, antique white, eggshell, oatmeal, oyster. Neutral colors are often used to join afghans though brighter colors may be used as well.

Of course, many colors can be for either men or women, child, teen or adult.

For more information on color, see my tutorial page on Color.

The following information was posted to one of my e-mail lists. I e-mailed the member for permission to reprint the article and she graciously allowed me to share it with you all. I have organized it by topic and highlighted important information for your convenience but the words are hers. Also I have included additional information from Aunt B below Maureen's article. Thanks to both ladies for their generosity in sharing this information. I should note that some of the opinions differ so you should check with the place to which you are donating if there is any question.

Please also note that while white is suggested here for blankies, I have made preemie hats in many colors for preemie efforts which have been readily received.

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http://www.crochetcabana.com  Created October 1997.

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