Some of you may already have spotted that I’ve got a charity raffle going for some of my older samples.
As a designer samples have a tendency to accumulate. Some samples I keep for trunk shows and class displays, a few I rob for my own wardrobe and others go unused. Over the years these really start to pile up until you reach a point where you need to find some new homes for them where they are loved!
About the Raffle
Several years ago I put some up for sale; initially as an auction and then with a price suggestion. I found that people were very slow to bid on a hand knit. I can really understand this! They’re hard to value; the yarn can cost hundreds just by itself and the hours that went into them either by me or a sample knitter is considerable. This time I wanted to try something a little different. As they are so hard to value I thought that using the money and hard work that went into them for a good cause might be the best way to go. I opted for a raffle as that way everyone is in with a chance!
About the Charity
The charity that I want to support is Doras, which is an Irish charity that works to supporting human rights. The work they are doing most recently is with refugees and asylum seekers in Ireland. As with much of the developed world Ireland has had an influx of refugees over the past number of years. Historically Ireland has had emigration in the opposite direction so we are slow to develop the supports and help needed for people coming into the country. Fleeing war torn areas of the world and leaving behind your own country is traumatic and a lot of emotional as well as physical supports are needed to help people integrate into a totally new environment.
Samples!
I’ve got a huge range of samples to raffle off. To try and organise it a bit I’ve put them into different categories; Accessories, Children’s Garments, Cardigans, Sweaters, Summer Tops, Shawls and Vests.
You can find a list with links to all here.
How it Works
Go check out the categories listed here.
At the bottom of each category page you will find a paypal button with a dropdown menu. Pick the samples you want to be added to a raffle for. You can pick as many different samples as you like and enter the raffle multiple times!
At the start of March I will put everyone into a raffle for each of the samples that they picked. All proceeds (less paypal fees and shipping costs) will be donated directly to Doras. I put the page up last Friday and already we have generated more that €400 in raffle ticket sales! Lets see if we can make it €1000 to donate, that would truly be amazing :-)
Please share this raffle – lets see if we can make a difference.
Hi Carol,
I think this is a wonderful idea.
My heart goes out to the people that have to leave behind everything that is dear to them and to flee to a foreign country. Thank you for doing this.
Greetings from Galway
What a kind and wonderful idea Carol.
I’m very happy that I’m a similar size to lots of the samples ;-) Good luck raising as much as possible – even though that lowers my chance of winning!