Knitting Programs

Virtual Knitting Programs

In an effort to provide service to those who are isolated or immunocompromised, Project Knitwell hosts two virtual community initiatives: Knitwell in the Cloud and K2Tog.

Through Knitwell in the Cloud, Project Knitwell instructors teach knitting — one-on-one — to individuals who are affiliated with our program sites (e.g., hospitals & community settings). In this way, we are able to continue our mission of teaching knitting to those in stressful situations, via the Zoom platform. We are teaching patients, program participants, staff, and families. To join Knitwell in the Cloud, please complete our student registration form.

K2Tog are online social knitting groups and workshops for knitters of all abilities, hosted on the Zoom platform. While not an instructional program, Project Knitwell instructors host and participate in the sessions and can answer questions and share tips and ideas. It is a great place for all knitters and serves as a wonderful next program for students who “graduate” from Knitwell in the Cloud. Join our mailing list to get notified of future sessions.

 

Knitting in Person at Hospital and Community Sites

Project Knitwell volunteers teach a wide, diverse population of adolescents, seniors, cancer patients, caregivers, medical professionals, teachers, refugees, special needs students, and others at various school and community sites. Since 2010, we began knitting at our foundation site at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital (MGUH) and since then have worked in various units to provide knitting instruction for oncology, transplant and dialysis patients, families with children in the pediatric intensive care and neonatal intensive care units, and pregnant moms on bedrest, among others.

We also serve hospital staff and caregivers by offering learn-to-knit classes and kits to provide opportunities to learn knitting as a wellness tool. We participated in a featured research project, which highlighted the importance of reducing stress and compassion fatigue to prevent caregiver burnout.

We provide participants with a complimentary beginner’s kit, which includes yarn, needles, and our Knitting Resource Guide. We offer ongoing instruction, and once knitters are comfortable with basic skills, we give them knitting kits and patterns to make simple projects like hats, scarves, baby booties, fingerless gloves, and more.

“I am so proud of myself. I learned something new. Knitting keeps me from worrying about my daughter because I have to focus so hard on doing it correctly.”

Mother with NICU Patient

We can provide the comfort of knitting: 

For the infusion patient, who needs someone to keep them company during their lonely wait. 

For the caregiver, who is able to keep their hands busy while waiting nervously for their child to come out of heart surgery. 

For the refugee, who desperately needs to connect with their new community and meet others facing the same circumstances. 

For the family member of a deployed active duty service person, who is facing the uncertainty of the next time they will see their partner. 

For the recently incarcerated woman, who needs a creative outlet and opportunity to make gifts for family members.

Project Knitwell’s Program Sites

*Indicates a current location

Children’s National Medical Center – Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Hematology/Oncology, Cardiac Intensive Care, Dialysis, Ronald McDonald Room, classes for NICU staff

HSC Pediatric Center (formerly Hospital for Sick Children) – Regular group with parents

Inova Alexandria Hospital – Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

*Inova Fair Oaks Hospital – Cancer Rehabilitation and Recovery Services

Inova Mt. Vernon Hospital – Patients and family members

*Inova Schar Cancer Institute Artists in Residence (AIR) Program

*MedStar Georgetown University Hospital – Hospital-wide, including pediatric oncology unit, transplant unit, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, sessions for staff

Ronald McDonald Room – Hematology/Oncology Unit

*Virginia Hospital Center – Antepartum patients, NICU families, In-patient oncology, ongoing and special programs through Cancer Resource Center, classes for staff

 

Borromeo Housing – For teen moms in a residential facility

Bread for the City – For those affected by poverty, addiction, and other challenges

*Catholic Charities Diocese of Arlington and Woodbridge — For refugees from Afghanistan, as part of the CCDA’s Immigrant and Refugee Services program

DC DMV Pail, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Network – For parents grieving the loss of their babies

*Friends of Guest House – For formerly incarcerated women at a residential facility during their work and life skills program

*N Street Village – For women affected by housing insecurity, mental health challenges

*PRS Recovery – For those seeking behavioral health, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention services

Ronald McDonald House DC – For families with children at area hospitals

*Smith Center for Healing and the Arts – For patients, survivors, and caregivers affected by cancer

SOME (So Others Might Eat) – For marginalized seniors and their caregivers at the Kuehner Place for the Abused & Neglected Elderly Group

Street Sense – For vendors of Street Sense newspaper who are affected by housing insecurity

*USO Warrior and Family Center at Ft. Belvoir – For active duty military, families with deployed service members, and returning veterans

Camp Friendship and Camp Fantastic – Camps for youth with cancer

*Cedar Lane High School – A program at an alternative high school for students with emotional challenges

Mount Vernon High School – A program for teens with emotional challenges

*RICA – John L. Gildner Regional Institute for Children & Adolescents – A residential facility in Rockville for children and teenagers with emotional challenges

The Alternative House – An after-school programs for at-risk youth