Baby blanket ideal size is approximately 24″ x 36″ but slightly smaller or larger is fine (just not mini blankets) Donate Handmade Baby Items

Do love making baby items?  As crafters ourselves we know that yarn and fabric stashes can really grow out of control!  If you have the time, interest and skills please consider donating your handmade baby items to a new mom who is going through a tough time and could use a little love.

Hands Up Canada is looking for volunteers who knit, crochet or sew to make baby items to include in our Diaper Bag layettes and our Emergency Backpacks for Toddlers in shelters.  These little ones, through no fault of their own, suddenly find themselves in a shelter often with just the clothes on their back.  Typically a Diaper Backpack contains sleepers, bibs, sweater, blanket, towel/facecloth, baby toiletries, other essentials and a soft teddy bear. Our Emergency Toddler Backpacks for ages 1-4 are filled with pjs, toothbrush, an outfit of pants, sweater, top socks, hat, mitts, colouring book and crayons, a small toy or activity kit and a soft teddy bear.

While every new mom needs basic baby necessities like diapers and sleepers can you imagine how pleased she will be to get a handmade item from someone who cared about her in her time of need.  For the little guys we are looking for a handmade blanket, sweaters a handmade toy or sensory book.

We will put a “Handmade with Love” tag with your first name on each item we received. 

We often include a special note to the new mom or young child and if you would like to include a note to your donation with words of love, congratulations, encouragement that would be very much appreciated too.  Women and children are from many different backgrounds so we request no religious messages.

Feel free to make gender neutral, traditional pink or blue or jazzy brights.  Anything that is too big to fit in the backpack will be placed in a suitable bag/box included with the backpack. 

Please note that these must be new unused items.  Use baby suitable yarns and fabrics that are washable and include any special washing instructions. Do not use any scented dryer sheets as many shelters require scent-free items.  Some donors include the wool label with washing instructions printed on it.

 
Items we currently need.:

Hand knit or crocheted

  • Baby Blankets (approx. 24″ x 36″ with a little variation to fit a bassinet or crib)
  • Baby Sweaters (size 0 – 12 months)
  • Toddler Sweaters (size 1-4 years)
  • Baby & Toddler Toys – animals or dolls (only sewn on eyes and noses please)

 Hand Sewn Size 0 to 12 months

  •         Baby Bibs (traditional and bandana style)
  •         Baby Quilts (various sizes to fit a bassinet or crib)
  •         Baby & Toddler Sensory Books

    NOTE:  No hats, premie items, mitts, etc. are needed.

Toronto’s east end:

The Wool Mill has kindly agreed to receive handmade items for us and is a drop off location only at 2170 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON, M4C 1K3 (Woodbine & Danforth)
Hours are normally 11 am – 6 pm Tuesday-Friday and 11-4 Saturday.

Ajax – we have a kind friend who has agreed to receive items for us at his home. Please email for the address.

If it’s not convenient to drop off or you live outside the GTA you can mail your donation to:

Hands Up Canada, 41 Beech Ave. Toronto ON M4E 3H3

Please contact us for details or with any questions. community@handsupcanada.ca

You can join our Facebook Hands Up Canada Projects to stay up-to-date on items we are currently collecting for our projects.