+ What’s a Knit-a-thon and how does it work?

So glad you asked! Like a marathon or ride for a cause, a Knit-a-thon is a fundraising tool that engages our community by participating in an event and gathering donations together.

Knitters and crocheters sign up to make squares and fundraise using our online platform Canada Helps. You get to have a good time knitting while telling your friends and family about us, and inviting them to sponsor your efforts by making a donation to Art Not Shame.

Once the squares are done, Art Not Shame will put them together into blankets, which will be donated to the Guelph/Wellington Community Health Van and distributed to community members in need.

You can sign up as a team or an individual, and share your progress with Art Not Shame and your friends and family along the way, using the hashtag #KnitForTheArts.

To get involved with Art Not Shame, practice your knitting skills for a good cause, and build community with other local knitters.

Participants will be invited to two virtual knitting nights hosted on Zoom on November 3 and 17 from 7-8pm for a chance to create in community, meet other crafters, and share about your progress.

Most of all, you should sign up if you love and care about Art Not Shame as much as we do, and want to be a part of our continued success!

+ Should I participate as an individual or can I team up with some pals?

Either works! You can register as an individual or as a team here.

Signing up as a team can take some pressure off of individual people to raise money, since it’s a group effort, and can be a fun way to collaborate with others.

If your team wants to make an entire blanket to represent yourselves, blankets are 6 squares wide by 6 rows (36 squares total with a finished blanket measuring 48”x60”).

+ What is Art Not Shame and why should I raise funds for you?

Art Not Shame is a community-engaged, multidisciplinary, charitable arts organization based in Guelph, Ontario. Founded in 2017, our mission is to amplify the power of arts to build community, deepen access to creativity, increase well-being, and create the conditions for inner and outer change. We believe in every person's deeply rooted capacity for creativity.

Art Not Shame offers free, facilitated, art-making workshops and creative facilitation training to youth and adults across Ontario, with a focus on supporting equity-deserving groups. We explore issues of local relevance and build capacities for community care and healing through our free arts workshops.

Funds raised through the Knit-a-thon will help cover the cost of our programming, allowing us to continue meeting the needs of the communities that we serve.

+ What happens to the blankets? What is the Mobile Community Health Van?

The Guelph/Wellington Community Health Van operates under a partnership between Sanguen, ARCH and Public Health and is staffed by a interdisciplinary and multi-agency team made up of a Harm Reduction coordinator, Peer support worker, Public Health Nurse, Social Support Coordinator and a HepC nurse. The van connects community members with harm reduction supplies, such as new drug gear, needle exchange, condoms, etc; naloxone training and distribution; food, clothing, hygiene items, nursing supports (such as wound care, vaccines, HCV testing, etc) as well as peer and social supports.

You can find out more and get involved/make a donation at: https://sanguen.com/outreach-program/the-community-health-van-guelph/

Find them on Instagram and Facebook @gwcommunityhealthvan

+ How do I set up my online profile to collect donations for Art Not Shame?

Head on over to our sign up page and click “Join as an Individual.” Here’s a short video tutorial to help you get started and customize your page. You can also review Canada Helps’ support pages here.

+ It’s called a Knit-a-thon, but can I crochet?

Absolutely! We love our crocheters, and apologize that knitting dominates our promotions.

+ I’ve never knit before/I’m new to knitting and need some help.

Amazing! Good for you for trying this out. Here are some resources to get you started on knitting or crocheting.

Beginner knitting videos

Beginner crochet videos

Here is a PDF for an Easy Knit Square

Here is a PDF for an Easy Crochet Square

+ What yarn should I use?

Consider looking for yarn that can be washed and dried (easily cared for). Super wash or polyester/acrylic is great for this, and it’s a good idea to avoid wool or other animal fibres (alpaca, mohair). If you’re purchasing new yarn, you can ask the salesperson for help or check the labels before buying.

+ Where do I purchase yarn?

Wherever is convenient for you! Here are a few local options:

All Strung Out - downtown Guelph

String Theory Yarn Shop - Fergus

Michaels - multiple locations

Len’s Mill - multiple locations

Shall We Knit - Waterloo

+ Where do I drop off completed squares?

We’re keeping on top of changing pandemic precautions, but the current plan is for squares to be dropped off at one of the following locations:

All Strung Out - 36 Quebec St, Guelph

University of Guelph - University Centre (UC) just inside the front door by the stand for the Ontarian

Shelldale Family Gateway (bin in the lobby) - 20 Shelldale Crescent, Guelph

Art Not Shame - 121 Wyndham St N, Unit 201 (not physically accessible), Guelph. Please call to arrange a time: 519-265-7278

String Theory Yarn Shop - 152 St. Andrew St. W, Fergus

The Dropped Stitch - 132 Main St, Erin

If you need assistance dropping off squares, please contact Alisa at community@artnotshame.org

We will contact knitters directly if public health regulations change and drop-offs are no longer possible.

+ How big should my squares be?

8” Wide x 10” tall.

+ Can I submit more than one square?

Yes! It takes 36 squares to make a blanket, so submit as many as you'd like. If you're a team, set a goal of a whole blanket!

+ What if I make a mistake?

We are all about doing things imperfectly! And absolutely welcome small mistakes that don’t interfere with the integrity of the blanket.

However, please remember that your squares are being used to create a blanket. If your square has significant holes or is very slanted, perhaps it will be of better use as a potholder or dish cloth for yourself or a loved one. Which is perfectly imperfect :)

+ Can I volunteer to help stitch the blankets together?

Yes! Please email Alisa at: community@artnotshame.org .

+ Are there patterns for squares available for free?

Ravelry is the best place to find free patterns for knitting or crochet. If you need help finding a free pattern, please contact Alisa at community@artnotshame.org

Also, we have created some easy patterns for you:

Here is a PDF for an Easy Knit Square

Here is a PDF for an Easy Crochet Square

+ Can I use any thickness of yarn?

Yes, as long as your rectangle is 8”x10” any thickness of yarn can be used.

+ Should I wash my square before I drop it off?

Yes! If you can wash and dry your square (in a washing machine and dryer) before you drop it off that would be great!

+ When is the due date for the squares?

We start accepting squares on November 29th, and the deadline to drop them off is December 6th, 2021.

+ What if I want to participate, but cannot purchase supplies?

If you need help obtaining supplies, please contact Alisa at community@artnotshame.org

+ I’m nervous to ask my friends and family for donations.

We get that. Money is uncomfortable and problematic, and we wish we didn’t need it to run programs for the community. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Tell your family and friends why Art Not Shame is important to you. Personal stories are incredibly meaningful, so if you have one, that is a great way to start the conversation.

You don’t have to ask people in person! (In fact, it may be safer not to do so) Our Canada Helps online platform can be shared via social media, email or text, so you can ask in whichever way is most comfortable for you.

Keep in mind that people are in a variety of financial situations that you may or may not be aware of. There are some tips on this below.

Donations to Art Not Shame are tax deductible, so your friends and family can submit them with their 2021 taxes.

For more tools and suggestions, check out this guide from Canada Helps.

+ How much should I ask for as a donation?

Art Not Shame truly believes that any amount is helpful, and we value our small donations just as much as our large ones. We don’t all have equal access to financial security and wealth, and we may not know about our loved ones’ circumstances. It’s a good idea to keep that in mind when asking for donations - and ultimately let your loved ones choose an amount that works for them.

Here are some general suggestions to get you started:

$0 - $5: Someone who is struggling to afford basic necessities such as food and housing, does not have access to savings or family wealth, and/or has a lot of debt.

$5 - $25: Someone who has a small amount of disposable income, is able to cover basic expenses, has limited family support, and can afford a nice gift or night out once in a while.

$25 - $100: Someone who has access to things like a permanent job, extended health benefits, a sizeable savings account, and can afford to go on occasional trips.

$100 - $500: Someone who owns one or more properties, has significant family wealth, can afford not to work, and takes regular vacations.

Here is a link to a PDF that can be shared with your community!