We welcome handcrafted yarn and quilted items (knit, crochet, woven, etc.) that incorporate an element of 3 in any creative manner. This element of 3 represents many aspects of what we do. Firstly, it represents the trifold connections among the creator of the item, the recipient, and the Spirit of Life that creates and unites all of Creation. It also symbolizes the importance of the three Abrahamic faith traditions -- Judaism, Christianity, Islam -- to global peace: because these three traditions represent 2/3 of the world’s population, there is virtually no chance for global peace until our Abrahamic Family is knit together in a tapestry of respect and commitment to compassionate coexistence. The element of 3 also represents our work of crafting three essential elements of life: hope, healing, and peace.
How you incorporate 3 in your item is up to you! Perhaps you can choose to incorporate:
- Use of 3 colors in your design
- A pattern based on 3s such as k3, p3; or a number of cast-on stitches or rows divisible by 3
- Fringe with 3 pieces of yarn
- Use of triangular shapes
Peace Pals are automatically a 3 with the head, torso, and legs. There are many possibilities! See how you can creatively weave in your element of three to symbolize these loving connections.
Our tangible knitting & crocheting is an outward & visible sign of our inner dedication to prayerfully knitting together the Beloved Community. Please pray for the adult, teen, child, infant, or family who will receive the item you create, & for a future in which all parents can raise their children in peace.
Our Helpful Hints & Tips section at the bottom of this page provides help on working with donated yarn, checking gauge and determining needle size.
Please carefully read our General Guidelines before you start your project.
Glossary. An alphabetical list of abbreviations and terms used in our patterns.
Favorite Knitting4peace Patterns
Finger puppets are our newest and smallest item, added in response to a request by the UCH Guatemala Global Health program for use in their infant wellness clinics. Finger puppets are also being used in a language development study with new babies at the University of Colorado, and are included for children in other international deliveries.
Finger puppets can be of animals or people. SIZES: to fit on an adult finger.
In addition to the links below you can also find free patterns on Ravelry.
- Try the Crochet Finger Puppets
- Try the Knit Finger Puppets
We deliver baby blankets locally and globally, supporting new parents and their infants. Baby blankets can be knitted, crocheted, or quilted, in all colors.
Peace Pals were developed by Knitting4Peace volunteers to create comforting companions for children in global areas of conflict. As our programs and community partners continue to expand, they’re now given to children, youth, and adults to provide relief in many difficult situations, in the U.S. and around the world. They’re loved and appreciated by all ages, and are our most-requested item.
Make Peace Pals’ faces in realistic skin, eye and mouth colors. The Pals are more than toys; they are companions in coping with stress, and building children’s self-esteem.
Peace Pals’ faces need to be friendly! Please see close-up photos below for easy ways to make cheerful eyes and mouths, and/or a step-by-step tutorial video on our YouTube channel.
Faces: Use dark brown, medium brown, or tan yarns for the faces. Do not use white, black, grey, vivid, pastel or camouflage colored yarns for the faces.
Mouths: Use red, pink, or orange yarns.
Eyes: Use white, brown or black yarns for medium or dark brown Peace Pals, and blue, green, brown or black yarns for tan Peace Pals. No “X” eyes (cartoon symbol for “dead”); add a third stitch to create a star shape. Freely experiment with all colors of hair, hats, clothing and other decorations on your Peace Pals.
SIZES: make Regular Peace Pals up to 7” tall, with a defined neck and arms. A seam for legs defines a Pal with pants. Any buttons, beads, or charms need to be fastened very securely.
Baby Peace Pals are smaller, up to 5” tall. Please no buttons, beads, or charms on baby Peace Pals, for safety reasons. Arms are optional.
These sizes are important so we can fit more of these small ambassadors of caring and support into our shipments and into delivery agents’ luggage.
Peace Pals are not to be sold or used for profit-based activity of any kind. They are intended to fulfill the mission and work of Knitting4Peace.
- Try the Peace Pal In The Round
- Try the Knitted Peace Pal
- Try the Knitted Peace Pal With Skirt
- Try the Knitted Baby Peace Pal
- Try the Easy Baby Peace Pal
- Try the Crocheted Peace Pal
- Try the Crocheted Baby Peace Pal
Hijab for Peace Pal
This pattern for hijab was developed by Carrie Lynn Richardson, Board Chair, Denver, Colorado, in 2021.
One way to make a Peace Pal that reflects a child's identity is by adding a hijab. A hijab is a head covering worn by some Muslim women in the presence of any male outside their immediate family. Women wear hijab for religious reasons, as a reminder to remain pious, modest, honest, and generous. In many parts of the world, it has also become a symbol of national or ethnic identity. While a hijabi's headscarf may require quite a bit of styling skill, these knit hijabs are one piece for easy on and off.
You can use this hijab pattern to add to Peace Pals you’ve made or to make hijabs to send to us to be added to Peace Pals for deliveries requesting this item.
- Try the Hijab for Peace Pal
Mittens are given to children, teens, and adults living in poverty and in areas where temperatures can be cold and warm clothing scarce. Having warm hands in the winter can make a huge difference for a young student or for an unhoused adult. We need a variety of colors, suitable for all genders.
Sizes needed: for ages 2 and up.
We deliver scarves in global impoverished areas where temperatures can be cold and warm clothing is scarce, and to underserved communities in the U.S.A. Our “Community Purls” program delivers warm items to U.S. children and adults who are marginalized and/or unhoused.
Sizes: 6-8” wide, 45-60” long, or warm cowls. We need a variety of colors, suitable for all genders. Warm, not lacy, stitch patterns are most useful for the people we serve. We can still accept narrower scarves, for a few of our community partners who request these. We receive many more requests for warm winter scarves and cowls.
- Try the Your Choice Scarf
- Try the Easy Lacy Scarf
- Try the Fun Scarf Pattern
- Try the Fur Stitch Crochet Scarf Pattern
- Try the Lovely Lacy Scarf Pattern
Hats for Kids, Teens, & Adults
We create hats for children, teens, and adults living in poverty and in areas where temperatures can be cold and warm clothing scarce. To modify the size of a pattern, check out the Simple Hat Calculator.
We need a variety of colors, suitable for all genders. Warm, not lacy, stitch patterns are most useful for the people we serve.
Making hats using a loom? Use bulky yarn or double up thinner yarns. We can use loomed hats if they are warm, but not if they’re net-like or “holey”.
- Try the Three By Two Ribbed Cap Pattern
- Try the Crochet Hat
We send our baby bibs to medical clinics in rural areas of Guatemala through a partnership with a University of Colorado Medical Center program supporting new mothers and their babies. Bibs are also appreciated by many U.S. community partners serving families in the process of being re-settled from other countries, and other vulnerable or marginalized populations. Please make bibs using 100% cotton yarn. Only the neck may be made with acrylic yarn.
Baby booties go to a number of community partners with programs supporting new parents and their babies, in the U.S. and in other countries.
Colors: Bright colors are appreciated by families in many different cultures. Pastel, white and cream colors also work well for this item.
Fiber: Any soft and washable yarn. Cotton is not recommended for this item, as it will shrink when washed.
Size: Please make booties 3” or longer from heel to toe.
Washcloths are sent with delivery agents to many parts of the world, including the Guatemala Project of the University of Colorado Medical Center. They’re a lightweight, practical, durable, and colorful addition to households in many countries, useful for all ages, and are especially helpful to people experiencing homelessness.
Washcloths need to be made from 100% cotton yarn. SIZES: 7-9 inches diameter.
Using Your Own Pattern
You are invited to use your own favorite patterns (as long as you somehow incorporate an element of 3, as explained above.) You may also recommend a pattern for our website. When you send the completed item to us, simultaneously send an email, with the pattern included as an attachment, to [email protected]. Also be sure to include a note in the package with your item that provides your name, the name of the pattern, your email, and a release statement that gives us permission to reproduce the pattern.