Knitting for Peace provides a wealth of information for knitters who are interested in getting involved in their community and their world through knitting. Projects range from preemie caps for babies in the ICU to blankets for shelters to clothing for Afghanistan. ( )

Full of great information on charity knitting organizations; contact with the organizations is directed through their websites to (hopefully) guarantee up-to-date information when the time comes to send your knitting on. ( )

For as long as people have been knitting, they have been knitting for other people. Often called “charity knitting,” “community knitting” or “knitting for others,” knitters have been bonded by a desire to make the world a better place, “through handmade gifts of love and peace.”

In Knitting for Peace: Make the World a Better Place One Stitch at a Time, Betty Christiansen has interviewed knitters across America to find out how knitting was helping people around the world. Christiansen set out to find the stories behind the movements and to collect them into this unique volume, sharing how “we can, stitch by stitch, inch the world in a more positive direction.”

In each of the first four section - Peace and War; Peace on Earth; Peace at Home; and Peace for Kids – Christiansen delves into the organizations making a difference through knitting. She explores their history, how they are being the change they wish to see in the world and how knitters can assist their efforts.

Some are organizations such as Lantern Moon and Peace Fleece, companies making a difference by providing employment, income and self-reliance for producers. Others are aid organizations such as Afghans for Afghans, an organization providing warmth to families in Afghanistan. Scattered throughout are patterns appropriate for knitters to make and donate to the featured organizations.

The final section, “Knit for Peace,” provides helpful hints for finding projects not covered by Christiansen, for individuals and for groups. Knitting for Peace has projects sure to appeal to everyone and is the perfect gift for the compassionate knitter on your gift list. Since a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Knitting for Peace will be donated to charity, this is the gift that gives twice. ( )

I bought the book because I founded and lead a Prayer Shawl Ministry in my church. I wanted to see what other charity projects exist--and there are many. The patterns in the book are simple and although I am not a beginning knitter, I plan to use some of them. There is a Knitting for Peace logo in the back of the book which you are allowed to scan and use. This is a feel-good book for all knitters. It makes me long for more time to devote to this type of knitting. ( )

I love the idea behind this book, people want to knit for a cause, but don't know where to start. This book provides patterns for everything from chemo caps to afghans for Afghans, and also provides resources for sending your completed pieces to the groups that will put them to use. ( )