Wool-Aid partnered with F.I.R.E.’s Dulaan Project to send warm, handcrafted woolen clothing and blankets to the children of Mongolia. The shipment included more than 130 pounds of sweaters, vests, hats, mittens, socks, neckwarmers, and blankets — 230 items in all — enough to warm many, many children!

A heartfelt thank-you to all of the wonderful knitters and crocheters who gave so generously to help warm the children of Mongolia. It is exceptionally difficult to provide aid to children in such remote places, but you did!

Mittens and hats from this campaign, which ended on September 30, 2010, are now on their way to Kazakhstan. This is the second of two shipments for this rolling-deadline campaign. This time we are sending 55 hats and 29 pairs of mittens for the children in orphanages in Akkol and Urupinka, Kazakhstan, where winter temperatures reach 40 below zero!

Thanks to all who made it possible to send such beautiful, warm woolen hats and mittens to the children in Kazakhstan!

Hats & Mittens are especially needed by the Innu kids of Natuashish and Sheshasuit in Northern Labrador. We will be helping both communities in this Warm Hands drive, with an end date of January 31, 2011.

Many kids in these communities need hats and mittens to protect them from the bitter cold, but do not have them. The majority of kids are between the ages of 6 and 12, but hats and mittens for kids up to age 16 are very welcome. These items distributed by the Directors of Community Health, who use the items as incentives to get young moms to bring their children into the clinic for checkups.

Please send all finished hats & mittens to:

Wool-Aid
1381 Rocky Creek Court
Belleville, IL 62220

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 (pattern suggestions below).
• 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 for older kids: about 18 to 22 inches.
• Mitten measurement for older kids, from the base of the palm to the tip of the longest finger: about 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.