The Big Knit 2018-19

The Big Knit is back! Grab your needles and help us be there for older people with no one else to turn to.

What is the Big Knit?

Every year, we ask you to knit tiny woollen hats, and each one gets placed on an innocent smoothie bottle.

For every smoothie sold, we receive 25p, and that money helps us fight loneliness among older people.

Since 2003, you've knitted over 7 million hats, raising more than £2.4 million for Age UK and our vital work.

How to join in

1. Choose a pattern
   Have a look at our patterns and choose your favourite to download.
2. Knit away
   Knit in front of the telly, or gather a group of friends and chat over the click-clack of needles. Some local Age UKs even hold their own knitting groups.
3. Send us your hats
   Pop your hats in the post to:
   
   Age UK
   The Big Knit
   Fruit Towers
   342 Ladbroke Grove
   London W10 5BU
   
   Or find an Age UK near you and drop your hats off there – see which local Age UKs can take your hats.
4. Tell us your story
   We'd love to send you a thank you card for your hats. If you'd like that too, and you want us to update you on all things Big Knit, include a note with your hats telling us your name and address. Let us know your knitting stories and why you're taking part in the Big Knit, too!

Download a knitting pattern

Stripe pattern for beginners

Intermediate apple pattern

Advanced duck pattern

Drop your hats to an Age UK near you

Click on your region to find which local Age UK can take your knitted creations. Click on the Age UK name to see their address.

How does the Big Knit help?

The money we raise from the Big Knit helps us be there for older people who have no one else to turn to.

Watch our video to see just how much this means to people like Jean and John.

Looking for knit-spiration?

Here are some of your favourite hats from last year's knitting.