The Big Knit is coming back, and the Island's knitters can get ready now

The much-loved innocent Big Knit is planned to return for 2026/27, and here at Age UK Isle of Wight we’re getting ready to make it our biggest and brightest year yet.

The official Call to Knit is expected later in the year, but we know how much time, care and creativity goes into every little hat. So, if you’re already reaching for your needles, hooks and wool basket, we’d love you to start getting involved early.

Whether you’re an experienced knitter, a crochet champion, part of a craft group, or simply looking for a fun project with a purpose, every tiny hat you make will help support older people.

What is the Big Knit?

The Big Knit is a national partnership between innocent drinks and Age UK. Across the country, people knit and crochet tiny woolly hats which are placed on innocent smoothie bottles.

For every hatted smoothie sold, innocent donates 30p to the local Age UK you donate your hats to, helping to fund vital services, support, information and friendship for older people in your area who need it most.

It may be a small hat, but together they can make a huge difference.

Why we’re getting ready early

The official campaign details are still being confirmed nationally, but we want to give the Island’s brilliant knitters as much time as possible to get creative.

Every year, little hats are made with care, imagination and a lot of love. Some are simple bobble hats, some are stripy, some are fruity, some are funny, and some are completely one of a kind.

This year, we’d love to see the Isle of Wight’s woolly creativity out in full force.

Can I start knitting now?

Yes — please do!

The official Call to Knit will launch later in the year, but you are very welcome to start making hats in preparation.

We’ll update this page with confirmed campaign dates, deadlines and drop-off details as soon as we have them.

In the meantime, you can:

• Start knitting or crocheting little hats
• Get your craft group, school, workplace or community group involved
• Use up leftover wool for a good cause
• Keep your finished hats safe until collection details are confirmed
• Share this page with anyone who might enjoy taking part

Who can take part?

Everyone is welcome.

You can get involved as an individual, or as part of a:

• Knitting or crochet group
• WI group
• School or college
• Workplace
• Church or community group
• Care home activity group
• Library or craft club
• Family project

If your group would like to take part, we’d love to hear from you.

Email us at:  Fundraising@ageukiw.org.uk