What is Knit Michigan? Knit Michigan, a registered Michigan corporation, is a 501(c)3 charitable non-profit. Knit Michigan is an independent organization dedicated to supporting cancer patients and their families with financial contributions, as well as by making and donating comfort items such as chemo caps and lap blankets to cancer patients. Knit Michigan brings together fiber-enthusiasts to raise funds that are distributed to local cancer organizations through grass roots efforts and an annual event. These organizations are the recipients of the money we raise: Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Rose Cancer Treatment Center at Beaumont, Genesys Regional Medical Center, Gilda’s Club, and U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center. Why is it necessary? Knit Michigan fills a need in the Michigan fiber-arts community for individuals to band together to work toward a common cause that has touched many of our lives. It provides an opportunity to give back and make a difference by doing something we love: creating and providing better situations for those we care about who must deal with cancer. What is the purpose of Knit Michigan? Simply put, the main purpose of Knit Michigan is to help others. Many of us have been touched by cancer ourselves or by family, friends or coworkers. Knit Michigan makes supporting cancer patients and their families easy, convenient and fun by donating money and comfort items. The secondary purpose of Knit Michigan is to spread our love for the fiber arts. For a nominal entrance fee, visitors are encouraged to try their hand at spinning, knitting, crocheting, weaving and, for a small fee, dyeing. What has Knit Michigan accomplished? Beginning with our inaugural year, 2007, Knit Michigan has been held in donated space at the Academy of the Sacred Heart (www.ashmi.org) in Bloomfield Hills. Over the years we have raised more than $190,000 to support selected cancer serving organizations. We have also donated over 11,000 comfort items in the form of chemo caps, cuddly knit bears, breast cancer pillows, and pillows and blankets used in the infusion rooms. The comfort items have been gifted to cancer centers around the state, going as far north as Baraga in the Keweenaw Peninsula. Who is involved with Knit Michigan? Michigan knitters, spinners, weavers, crocheters, felters and other fiber enthusiasts support Knit Michigan. In addition we have the participation of knitwear designers, college and community fiber art instructors, guilds, schools and fiber businesses, such as yarn stores and industry suppliers.
