The innocent Big Knit is back

Knitting needles at the ready: The innocent Big Knit is back

Where there’s wool, there’s a way! The Big Knit is back for another year, with innocent and Age UK joining forces again to help older people live well.

The much-loved campaign sees the nation’s crafters come together to knit little hats for innocent smoothie bottles. For every behatted smoothie sold, Age UK receives 30p, to provide crucial support to help older people nationally and locally to live well.

With the Big Knit’s return for 2026, innocent and Age UK are calling on all knitting ninjas to wield their needles and craft as many hats as possible. Since it launched in 2003, the Big Knit has raised over £3.6 million for Age UK thanks to the heroic knitting volunteers up and down the country, and it’s hoped that this will be the Big Knit’s biggest campaign yet, with the aim to knit 1.5 million little hats.

With winter on the way, millions of older people face a lonely festive season and the impossible choice between heating or eating in cold weather as they simply can’t afford both. The money raised by The Big Knit will help Age UK deliver vital advice, support and friendship for older people over the phone and in communities.

Hannorah Lee, Fundraising Director at Age UK, said: “The Big Knit is such a fun campaign to get involved in whether you’re a seasoned pro or a knitting newbie, and we love seeing all the different hat designs that our knitters come up with. Plus, it really brings people together and offers a creative way to help Age UK change how we age.

“Almost 1 million older people say they’re often lonely[i] and too many feel written off and forgotten, despite having given so much to their communities. Age UK needs your help to be here for more older people who need us and the Big Knit is a great way to raise funds to help power our vital frontline services and campaigning.”

Nicki Garland, Head of UK&I at innocent drinks UK, says, "The Big Knit is an amazing campaign that inspires people throughout the country to knit and crochet little hats, and gives drinkers a simple way to support a cause that truly matters. We are so excited that the Big Knit is back for yet another exciting campaign to help older people live well."

For those looking for some inspiration, there are new and exciting hat designs to choose from, including patterns for fruit and veg inspired creations such as an aubergine, carrot and peas in a pod.  

Crafters have until 1st October 2027 to send their hat(s) into innocent head office, drop them at their nearest Age UK shop or at a participating local Age UK, so there’s plenty of time to get those needles clicking!

To find out more visit: www.ageuk.org.uk/bigknit.

-ENDS-

[i]  Understanding Society: Wave 15, 2023-2024