Will You Help me crochet for charity this September?

As many of you know…crocheting for charity is a passion of mine.

Last year, I went on a mission’s trip to the Philippines and taught hundreds of women how to make bead crocheted jewelry.

Ever since then, I’ve been brainstorming more ways I can serve here in America.

It was a few months ago that I started really thinking hard. How could I use the gift of crochet to help others…and also bring God glory at the same time?

I googled “crochet for charity” and was surprised by the results. In the search results I saw a post called the “crazy shoebox lady.” It was about a lady who crocheted tons of items for…

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD!

It hit me all of a sudden – I could run a CAL for Operation Christmas child!

Now, if you’re unfamiliar with this organization, don’t worry. Keep on reading, and I will explain how everything works!

What is Operation Christmas Child (OCC)?

I have been serving every year with Operation Christmas child since I was 13 years old. I know that their mission aligns with mine. So there is no one else I would rather support!

What exactly does OCC do? Well, they collect shoeboxes filled with gifts, and then they send them to children around the world every year for Christmas.

Every year, people like you and me are able to fill shoeboxes with goodies and donate them. Churches host “shoebox filling” events, families fill their own boxes…it really is a big thing!

OCC is also under the larger umbrella of Samaritan’s Purse, also a non-profit organization.

The Crochet Along for Charity

You might be wondering…how does this relate to crochet?

Well, OCC highly encourages the making of handmade gifts to fill the shoeboxes! So I thought, what better way to raise awareness than by hosting a crochet-along?

If you are unfamiliar with the concept of a crochet-along (CAL for short) here is how it works:

Generally, a CAL is an event where parts of a pattern are released over a series of time, and crocheters all make it together.

For THIS CAL, however, there will be 1 new crochet pattern released per week. Each pattern will be an item you can fill your shoebox with. By the end of the CAL, you should have a shoebox filled with crocheted items!

The Mission

There is lots more info on how the CAL works below. But before I go in detail, I really want to make sure we’re clear on the MISSION of this event.

Operation Christmas Child is a Christian organization dedicated to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

To me, the gospel is the most important message. If there is one reason I am hosting this CAL it is for the sake of the gospel, and God’s glory.

Although this blog makes me money…I never, ever, want money to be my only motivation for blogging.

My go to verse on this is Colossians 3:17 –

And whatever you do, whether in word or in deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

If I can use this platform I have to spread the gospel and give God glory – then all of it will be worth it.

So that is why I am hosting this event. My hope and prayer is that we can come together as a crochet community and bring God glory through this.

Will you join me?

Yes, Count me In!

If you are ready to join the CAL, woohoo! I am beyond excited and would love to have you.

This crochet-along is completely FREE, meaning you do not have to pay a fee to join. (There will be some optional things you can pay for, but this is not required).

So, in order to join for FREE, there are a few things you need to do:

1. First, sign up for my email list right here. By doing this, you will get all the CAL updates, and I will be able to know exactly how many people have joined.
2. Second, join my Facebook group right here. This is where the community aspect will take place – where we can post pictures of our projects and encourage each other!
3. Third, follow me on Instagram and post the picture below this list to show you’re participating! (This is optional, but I would LOVE it if you posted!)
4. Choose your path – will you crochet for a little boy or a little girl? TODAY the patterns lists & materials have been released! Make sure you browse the boys patterns & the girls patterns before you decide.

Screenshot or save the photo below & post on Instagram or Facebook with the hashtag #mycrochetshoebox – so we can see everyone who is participating!

Finally, please keep reading about the event and make sure you know the details. I wouldn’t want you to miss out on anything!

How it Works

Ok, you’re all signed up…now what?

The CAL officially starts today, September 8! The Materials List & Pattern Pages have been released. Next Tuesday will be the first day we actually start crocheting together.

Until that happens, I thought I would give you a more detailed overview of what everything will look in a step-by-step format.

Step 1: Join the CAL

Of course, the very first thing that needs to be done is the joining! If you haven’t already, follow the steps a few paragraphs above to make sure you’re all signed up. (you can also use the form below!)

Step 2: Choose Your Path & Collect Materials

The next step is to “choose your path”! I say this because there will actually be two lines of patterns releasing: patterns for a girl’s shoebox AND a boy’s shoebox.

That’s right, so there will actually be 2 PATTERNS released per week: one for girls and one for boys. You do not have to make the patterns for both.

Instead, you can choose your path…will you bless a little girl or a little boy?

Eventually, you will also decide the age category of your box. The categories are 2-4, 5-9, and 10-14 for both girls and boys.

The patterns in the CAL are mostly geared toward the 5-9 age category – but there will also be options to customize that if you’d like!

Once you decide on “your path” make sure you start collecting materials this week so you’re prepared!

Step 3: Find a Shoebox

Another thing you can do before the first pattern releases is find a shoebox. This can be any standard sized shoebox that you have laying around!

There are also OCC specific shoeboxes that can be found in many Hobby Lobby’s. However, these may not be available till closer to November. To find out, visit your Hobby Lobby. Boxes will be near the front somewhere.

The important thing is, you have a shoebox. We’ll be filling it throughout the CAL!

Step 4: Decide how you will participate

I mentioned awhile ago that there are some optional paid opportunities as apart of this CAL.

There is no required fees to join. However, there IS the option to purchase the ad-free bundle of all the CAL patterns up front!

This way, you will not have to wait each week to get the pattern. You’ll have them all straight away, and you can print out as needed!

The best part about this option is that I will be donating 100% of the profits to Operation Christmas Child. My goal is to raise at least $1000…will you help me get there?

This option is now available and can be found here!

If you are not able to buy this, please don’t worry. Just your participation is AWESOME! Read on to see the schedule of the designs as they release.

Step 5: Crochet Your Items

From September 15 – November 3rd, we will be doing step 4! There will be boys and girls patterns released during these weeks that you can fill your shoebox with.

Here is the schedule we will be following:

• Sept. 8: Materials List & Ad-Free Bundle released
• Sept. 15: Week 1 patterns released – scrubbies for girls, clownfish for boys
• Sept. 22: Week 2 patterns released – puppy ami for girls, footbag (aka hack sack) for boys
• Sept. 29: Week 3 patterns released – headband for girls, basketball backpack for boys
• Oct. 6: Week 4 patterns released – beanie for girls, basketball scrubbie for boys
• Oct. 13: Week 5 patterns released – flower clips for girls, hat for boys
• Oct. 20: Week 6 patterns released – pencil case for both girls and boys
• Oct. 27: Week 7 patterns released – cowl for girls, jump rope for boys
• Nov. 3: Week 8 patterns released
• Nov 10: Fill Shoe boxes with other items
• Nov 16: Nation Collection Week Starts

Want to see ALL the patterns together? Click below to see the roundups!

Girls Patterns Here / Boys Pattern Here

Step 5: Pray…and Post!

If there is ONE thing I would ask you to do as you’re crocheting, it would be PRAY.

Pray over the items you’re making and the little boy or girl who will receive them. I believe God is able to make sure your box is put into the exact child’s hands who needs it.

Another thing you can do while crocheting (much less important, but still fun!) is post pictures of your items on Instagram or in the Facebook group. Use these pictures to bless and encourage others with what we’re doing together!

Step 5: Supplement with other items

You may have noticed in the schedule above that the ninth week is the time to fill your shoebox with other items.

What exactly does this mean?

Well, the crocheted items are a GREAT starting point for your shoebox. And they will take up a lot of room.

BUT…if you are able, I highly recommend adding a few other filler items! Boxes generally contain things like school supplies, and bed/bath items.

Because I’ve served with OCC for many years, I’ve seen a lot of items come through! There are some things that are not allowed to be included, such as any food items or liquid items.

I have made an amazon list with my recommended fillers that I would love for you to check out! It includes a lot of stuff I’ve seen come through in shoeboxes before.

You can also view OCC’s list of do not include items here.

Let’s Do this Together

Thank you SO much for your interest in this event! It is my hope and prayer that we, as the crochet community, can reach many people for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Love you all

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I stepped through the opening—the door was a greenish color, made of metal bars. I realized everything was metal bars, everywhere.

The door I had just stepped through was also the door that kept so many people locked inside.

We went up a few flights of stairs. Surprisingly, there were prisoners outside of the cells. We moved on until we came to a large room. Rows of chairs lined the room. On one side, women. The other, men. We walked up the aisle.

I turned around, and suddenly it hit me. They were all…smiling. Every single one of them! There was no hopelessness, no gloom on their faces, but joy. Christ’s joy.

I was amazed. A church service in a prison!

Opening words were said in Tagalog. Then, all of a sudden, I heard my name. Before I knew it, I was searching for my bead-crochet example bracelet. I held it up to the crowd. Ooh’s and ah’s rippled through the room, and smiles got bigger.

After awhile, I was ushered back down the staircase and into a smaller room where me and two friends taught 30 women to crochet.

Michelle, Janice, Jonalyn, Annalisa…I wish I could remember all their names. Each one a precious soul, loved by Jesus.

Ah, such sweet memories. I will never forget.

I’M HOME! For 3 weeks in January and February I was on a mission’s trip in the Philippines…and I just got back a few days ago. I’m so excited to share testimonies about what God has done! For lots of pictures, be sure to watch the video below!

As many of you know, about a month ago I asked for donations for a giant crochet project for charity. I told you that I needed hooks, thread, and beads to teach women to crochet in the Philippines!

After I shared my need for supplies, SO many people came through and donated! Just 2 days after I asked for help, I got a huge box filled with amazon packages on my front porch.

BY THE WAY: as a thank you to my followers for all the help they put into this project, I’m running the biggest sale I’ve ever run today only! It’s called the $1 Pattern Sale! That means that you can get all my premium PDF patterns for around $1 (70% off). There is no coupon code needed…hop on over to ETSY or RAVELRY to shop!

As supplies came in, I began to put jewelry kits together. Pastor Noel, the pastor we worked with in the Philippines, told me to prepare 300 kits. This seemed like an insurmountable task – I had to wind thread, and put beads into individual bags. On top of that, I got sick a week before I was supposed to leave! Thank goodness for my supportive family, who helped me finish all the kits in time.

As I was leaving on this trip, there were several fears going through my head about the kits. Because this is a missions trip, I was afraid that plans might change and they wouldn’t need them. I was afraid that teaching wouldn’t go well.

As it turned out, my efforts would not be in vain. God worked mightily through this project…I was able to teach over 200 women to crochet in the church, prisons, and teen centers!

Crochet in the Prisons

Thank you so much for being here. When I get out of prison, I am going to use this skill as my livelihood.

– Prisoner at Calamba Jail

The place we taught the greatest number of women was in the prisons. We taught groups of women in at least 4 different prisons. The story I told at the beginning happened at the very first prison we went to, Santa Rosa Jail.

As I portrayed earlier, the dynamic was very different than I was expecting!

For one thing, I was expecting the prisons to be a dark, depressing place. I was expecting the attitude to be gloomy. However, what I found was exactly the opposite. Although overcrowded and hot, the women met us with huge smiles on their faces. When we began by singing and sharing testimonies, they listened intently and applauded with joy.

There was no resentment in them, even though we were on the other side of the bars. Instead, there was pure joy that they had company and fellowship. In fact, many of them are my sisters in Christ—such a joy in trials could only come from Him! It is my prayer that the words we spoke were an encouragement and refreshment to their souls.

After we spoke, Pastor Noel would figure out how the crochet teaching would work. It was different in every jail. In one, we had a room with tables. But in another, we had only a hallway! The women sat in rows with the materials on their laps.

It was definitely unexpected, but the wonderful thing was it didn’t matter. All that mattered was that we were there, and the women were excited to learn. And God worked through whatever circumstances we found ourselves in!

It was also such a joy when the women told me or Pastor Noel that they wanted to use this skill as their livelihood. After all, that was one reason I wanted to teach them!

It is such a blessing to know when God empowers us to do something, our labor is never in vain. From the very beginning, He knew what was going to happen. It was a growing experience learning to trust Him with the unknown—but it was so worth it!

Crochet in Teen Centers & Churches

The other places we taught in were two churches, as well as a teen center. Every single time I was amazed—the women and girls caught on so fast! Soon, bracelets and necklaces would be emerging, along with smiling faces.

Overall, the Philippines crochet project is amazing when I look back on it. I never expected something like this to happen. It shows me that often God has much bigger plans than we think! In fact, this is scriptural, according to Ephesians:

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work in us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Jesus Christ throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.”

Ephesians 3:20-21

God certainly did above what I asked or imagined. And in turn, just as the verse says, HE gets the glory. This entire project is because of Him. Without Him, it never could’ve happened.

By the way…if you’re interested in learning how to make the SAME jewelry I taught these women to make, I am going to publish a free tutorial soon! I promise, it’s easier than you’d expect. These women did it right after learning crochet basics. But if you’ve been crocheting for years, it will be practically effortless! Look out for that coming soon!

That’s it for today…but thank you for reading, thank you for supporting me! This project has been amazing to see unfold…and you were apart of that journey.

Thank you again, and happy Crocheting!

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