It's comforting to know that something as simple as crochet can make the world a better place.

Once upon a time, there was an honesty box system whereby knitters donated knitting patterns. These patterns were then exchanged for donations. The donations varied, depending on how much pleasure people thought they'd get out of making each piece. And so p/hop was born. It’s grown into a many-legged, brilliant and fun beast with knitters and crocheters raising money in unique and wonderful ways. There are two p/hop crochet patterns at the moment, but they are happy to accept submissions from designers to donate their patterns.

Close up detail of
Laura Cracknell's Cable Scarf

Moebius Cowl
by Laura Cracknell

WHAT IS P/HOP?

P/hop doesn't send crocheted items to disaster zones - instead, they raise money to enable humanitarian aid organisation Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) to buy the kit they need and supply highly trained professionals to work in the field - midwives, lab technicians and logisticians and many more professionals. MSF are currently providing support in more than 60 countries across the globe. In Japan, for example, they provided help and aftercare to survivors of the devastating earthquake and tsunami, helping people cope with the trauma of their experiences. Elderly people in remote areas were running out of medicine and MSF provided medical teams, medication and support. While we may not have the skills or qualifications to perform surgery in a field hospital, we can help through knitting and crochet, along with hundreds of other like-minded others.

HOW CAN WE HELP?

P/hop has a fun and active Ravelry group where supporters come up with all sorts of ways to raise money. If you have unloved yarn in your stash, you can offer it in our group where another knitter will claim it and make a donation to p/hop for their new yarn. As well as swapping yarn, members have swapped DVDs, books, fabric leftovers, a camera and tea. You name it, we'll p/hop (swap) it!

It's not just knitters and crocheters who are getting involved. Rare breed sheep are also p/hopping! Renee Darley is a British knitter who lives in Sweden. Last year, she rescued a herd of rare Spelsau sheep and has nurtured them back to health. She's now opened her sheep up for adoption whereby the adoptee gets a fleece in return for their support. The adoptees then make donations to p/hop for their fleeces.

Ever innovative, knitters and crocheters who enjoy the process of knitting and crocheting - but don't want to keep their finished items - have even auctioned their beautiful FO's (finished objects) on Ebay, with the proceeds going to MSF.

P/HOP IN PUBLIC

We often take p/hop on the road. Last year we exhibited at nine textile shows, including the Knitting and Stitching show in Dublin, our first overseas mission. If you see us at an event, come and say Hello!

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Not only does p/hop raise money to support medical teams in the field, it also raises awareness about MSF and the work it does.

In February, the project was recognised by people outside the yarn world when we were nominated for a Just Giving Award in the 'Most Creative Fundraiser' category. (Just Giving is the website we use to process donations, making it easy for you to donate.)

We were absolutely thrilled when our name was read out! We received this award for each and every person who had helped contribute to the cause. If you've made a donation, looked at the website, been to a swap, read about it and told a friend, if you are a vendor and have donated a raffle prize, written a blogpost, designed a pattern, tweeted about it, or put the widget on facebook, this is for you. We would like to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who has made this happen. We have only just turned 3, and have raised over £30,000 thanks to your generosity of time, spirit and money. Three really is the magic number!

Sadly MSF still need money, disasters still happen, but while there is yarn, there will be crocheters with hooks at the ready helping to change the world for the better.