Little Hearts, Big Kindness

Something rather lovely happened this week.

While researching ideas for The Thirsty Learner and gently getting Yarn Circle off the ground, I came across the most wonderful group of people – Hookers and Clickers do it For Charity.

This incredible group of women give up their own time to create handmade items for charities far and wide - hospitals, Leeds Baby Bank, Womens Aid and many many more. Their needles and hooks seem to carry kindness into every corner.

I got in touch with them about something small.

Little hearts.

Alongside The Thirsty Learner, I also run Gifted Smile (Gifted Smile | hug bags for cancer patients), which supports two charities helping people facing a cancer diagnosis.

One is Something to Look Forward To, raising funds so people can enjoy small but meaningful treats during an incredibly difficult time.

The other is The Treatment Bag charity, who supply beautiful comfort bags to cancer patients in the South of England. I’m currently working with them to extend their reach to the North.

Each bag already contains thoughtful, comforting items. But I kept thinking how special it would be to include something handmade — a small knitted or crocheted heart — simply to say:

Someone is thinking of you.

The Hookers and Clickers couldn’t have been more generous. Not only were they happy to make hearts, they also offered lap blankets for patients undergoing chemotherapy and scrubbies to help with washing. Their kindness was immediate and wholehearted.

I honestly can’t think of a more willing, selfless and remarkable group of people.

So as I begin launching Yarn Circle, it feels only right to give them a proper shout out.

They work with donated and leftover wool — yarn that might otherwise sit forgotten — and turn it into something meaningful. They’re always open-armed in welcoming others to join them, whether that’s through donating materials or lending a pair of hands.

My hope is that as our own gatherings grow, we’ll be able to donate spare wool, share ideas, and perhaps even contribute to some of their projects.

Because creativity is wonderful in itself.

But creativity shared? That’s where something really special happens.

If you have spare yarn tucked away that you’re unlikely to use, or if you’d simply like to know more about how creative groups can support causes like this, I’d love to hear from you.

And if you’re curious about joining Yarn Circle, you’ll find all the details here.

The Thirsty Learner Yarn Circle