Hats and mittens are always needed in a full range of sizes to fit children from toddlers to teens. See Wool-Aid Guidelines for general information. This is an ongoing campaign with no set deadline.

We include guidelines below. Please aim for hats and mittens that will be very warm for the children — remember that we send to children who live in extremely cold conditions!

Guidelines for Hats and Mittens:

• Use wool (at least 80% wool/animal fiber).
• Use worsted weight yarn or heavier.
• Mitten and hat sets would be wonderful, but are not required.
• Hats with earflaps or double-layer hats are wonderful and warm.
• Hats will ideally be able to entirely cover the ears. The thicker, the better, so please, no lacy hats.
• Mittens should have generous cuffs — 2-3 inches or so — for extra warmth and protection from wind.
• Head circumference: approximately 16 to 22 inches.
• Mitten measurement from the base of the palm to the tip of the longest finger: up to 8.5 inches, but allow a bit of extra length for wiggle room.

Please send all finished hats and mittens to:

Wool-Aid
1381 Rocky Creek Court
Belleville, IL 62220

If you are able, a contribution to help share the cost of shipping expenses would be appreciated. See How to Donate to Wool-Aid for details.

Wool-Aid is partnering with F.I.R.E.’s Dulaan Project for a shipment later this year (Fall 2010). F.I.R.E. (the Flagstaff International Relief Effort) serves children in Mongolia, with its harsh and extremely cold winters. Because of the cost of shipping, they are no longer sending used clothing to Mongolia in container shipments, but they are still very eager to receive handknit and crocheted clothing that they will send with staffers and others who travel to Mongolia.The F.I.R.E. website also has a video about the Dulaan Project that both describes their mission and shows young children receiving lovingly handcrafted clothing.

We will focus on sending vests, sweaters, and hats for the children of Mongolia — in sizes for toddlers through teens.

Please send all finished items to:

Wool-Aid
1381 Rocky Creek Court
Belleville, IL 62220

Guidelines:

• Use wool (at least 80% wool/animal fiber).
• Use worsted weight yarn or heavier.
• Aim for a tight, dense fabric for warmth
• See our Wool-Aid guidelines for additional information.

If you are able, a contribution to help share the cost of shipping expenses would be appreciated. See how to donate to Wool-Aid for details.

MITTENS and HATS Campaign for Mittens for Akkol

Mittens for Akkol provides warm woolen garments for children in Kazakhstan. Mittens and hats in larger sizes for the older children are needed, especially for the children at the orphanage in Urupinka.

We have no definite end date for receipt of items at Wool-Aid at this point, so you can get your needles clicking and we’ll update this post when we have it.

We include guidelines below. Please aim for hats and mittens that will be very warm for the children — it can be 40 below zero there!

Guidelines for Mittens and Hats

• Wool (at least 80% wool/animal fiber)
• Worsted weight or heavier yarn
• Mitten and hat sets would be wonderful, but are not required.
• Hats with earflaps or double-layer hats are wonderful and warm. Hats will ideally be able to entirely cover the ears. The thicker, the better, so please, no lacy hats.
• Mittens should have generous cuffs — a good 3 inches or so — for extra warmth and protection from wind.
• Head circumference for older kids: about 18 to 22 inches.
• Mitten measurement from the base of the palm to the tip of the longest finger: 7 to 8.5 inches, but allow a bit of extra length for wiggle room.

If you are able, a contribution to help share the cost of shipping expenses would be appreciated. See how to donate to Wool-Aid for details.