Welcome!

It started with a simple observation on a cold winter night in Washington Square Park. I was headed home from classes at NYU when I noticed a small group huddled under a park bench, trying desperately to keep warm. By their appearances, I could tell they were likely migrants who had just arrived with nowhere to go. Seeing them out in the freezing temperatures, especially the young kids, just broke my heart. I knew I had to do something to help.

That night was the spark that ignited my idea for Knitting For Good. My first instinct was to put my own knitting hobby to use. I posted about my plan to knit hats to donate on social media and was quickly overwhelmed by an outpouring of support from friends, classmates, and strangers alike looking to contribute yarn, supplies, and volunteer time. I was just hoping maybe a few people would want to help out, but the response was incredible. So many were moved by what was happening and wanted to use their own talents and skills to get involved however they could.

Within weeks, Knitting For Good evolved into a highly coordinated network of crafters from all across the city, unified in our efforts to create warm winter wear for newly arrived migrants. I formed partnerships with local shelters, charities, and community centers to ensure the donations were getting directly to those in need.

Photos of happy children modeling their vibrant new hand-knit hats and scarves started appearing across our social media accounts. The imagery was a heartwarming symbol of the warm welcome we were delivering, one stitch at a time.

A hat is such a simple, basic necessity that's easy to take for granted. But for someone arriving with just the clothing on their back after an unimaginable journey, it can make a huge difference. It's about providing comfort, but also human dignity.

As word spread, our community of volunteers continued growing. I started hosting knitting classes and workshops to teach others the skills to get involved themselves. Corporate partners began contributing supplies and monetary donations to support the effort's costs.

Open knitting circles began popping up in local parks, community centers, and event spaces, creating a welcoming gathering place for crafters and migrant families. On any given weekend, you'd see folks of all ages and backgrounds sitting together, knitting needles clicking away as they worked on their latest cozy creation. There's a lovely community that blossomed out of all of this. We come from such diverse backgrounds but are all united by our compassion and desire to help others however we can.

For many migrants, receiving one of our lovingly hand-crafted items provides an immediate practical need, but also represents a cherished memento and symbol of kindness in their new community. When you make something with your own hands, you're putting a little piece of yourself into it. These hats, scarves, and gloves carry all the goodwill, good energy, and good intentions that our volunteers have poured into them. They're a warm hug to welcome new neighbors after unimaginable journeys.

It's about more than just functional clothing. It's a powerful way to show that we see our common humanity in each other. What started as a simple idea sparked an incredible movement of crafters sharing their talents and compassion to provide warmth, comfort, and welcome to those arriving in our city.