The Big Knit 2026

Knitting needles at the ready: The innocent Big Knit is back, raising money for Age UK Stafford & District

Where there’s wool, there’s a way! The much-loved innocent Big Knit campaign has returned, and Age UK Stafford & District, in partnership with innocent drinks, is calling on the knitting ninjas of Staffordshire to wield their needles and help make a big difference to the lives of older people.

The popular 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, providing crucial support to older people both nationally and locally to help them live well.

The funds raised will help Age UK continue to provide older people with vital information, advice, support and friendship.

Since it began in 2003, the Big Knit campaign has raised an incredible £3.6 million for Age UK. The 2026-28 campaign aims to knit 1.5 million little hats, with the smoothies hitting shelves in early 2028

Sandra Highland CEO at Age UK Stafford & District said: “Last campaign we knitted a fantastic 31,000 hats, raising £9,383.00 to help older people in our local area. We want to raise even more this campaign, so we’re calling on the people of Staffordshire to get those needles clicking and help us make this the best Big Knit yet.

“With winter on the way, older people are particularly vulnerable at this time of year and they need us more than ever. Helping to knit these little hats can make a big difference to older people in our community.”

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."

Crafters have until 1st October 2027 to send in their hats, so there's plenty of time to get involved. For those looking for some inspiration, there are plenty of exciting hat designs to choose from, including patterns for fruit and veg inspired creations such as an aubergine, carrot and peas in a pod.

For more information on the Big Knit visit: www.ageuk.org.uk/bigknit or contact Age UK Stafford & District on 01785 60 70 60. Please send completed hats to Age UK Stafford & District at Bradbury House, Weston Road, Stafford ST16 3RS.

REF: NRLFSTLSSK Notes to editors * Hats will go on sale in early 2028 in selected UK retailers * For every hat sold, innocent gives Age UK 0.30p + VAT

About innocent drinks Founded in 1999, innocent is now Europe’s leading brand of juices and smoothies. Our purpose is simple: to make it easier for people to live well by sharing the deliciousness of fruit and veg. We're on a mission to add one billion extra portions of fruit and veg to people’s diets by 2030. Our drinks are natural and tasty - from smoothies and juices to our kids’ range, coconut water, shots, innocent plus, and bubbles (our lightly sparkling fruit juices). You’ll find us in over 18 countries, spreading the goodness of fruit and veg far and wide.

Doing business the right way has always been at our core. We became a certified B Corp in 2018 and were re-certified with a proud score of 105.2 in 2021. We always donate 10% of our profit to good causes. In 2021 we built an all-electric, designed to be renewably powered drinks factory (we call it the blender). Our Farmer Innovation Fund offers a pot of £1m to our ingredients suppliers to support them in adopting regenerative agriculture practices and we will never stop looking for ways to make our packaging more recyclable.

Join our journey at innocentdrinks.co.uk, or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn