Dear WUA! Volunteers,

We have an exciting opportunity to share with you! As you may know, this year is Warm Up America!’s 30th anniversary and we are celebrating by launching a fundraising campaign. We are encouraging WUA! volunteers to donate $30 or more to get an exclusive pattern bundle. The bundle will include 49 NEW knit and 49 NEW crochet 7” by 9” section patterns. We are putting together 49 section patterns because it takes 49 sections to make one adult blanket. 

History of WUA!
Warm Up America! was founded in 1991 by a woman named Evie Rosen. Evie owned a yarn shop in Wisconsin and enjoyed making blankets for the homeless in her community. After finding that she couldn't fulfill the need fast enough, she came up with an idea. Evie’s vision was to provide an innovative way for yarn enthusiasts to donate 7” by 9” sections, which others joined together to make finished blankets. 

This seed of an idea has blossomed over the years into a national program that has provided comfort and warmth to thousands of people in need during their most difficult of times. Today, knitters and crocheters all over the country donate not only 7” by 9” sections, but also hats, scarves, blankets, baby clothing and more to help provide warmth to those in need.

We need your help!
We are running a contest for WUA! volunteers who submit one or more original, 7" by 9" knit and/or crochet patterns. The patterns we have so far have been designed by popular makers in the yarn community, like TL Yarn Crafts and Tamara Kelly of the Moogly blog, as well as yarn and accessory companies like Lion Brand Yarn, Yarnspirations, and Clover. 

Each pattern submitted will have a chance to be included in the pattern bundle. We will contact you if your pattern(s) are selected. Everyone who submits one or more patterns will be entered into the giveaway, whether or not their patterns are chosen for the pattern bundle!

Below are some FAQs about what we need for these patterns:
  • Do you have an example section pattern I can reference?
  • https://warmupamerica.org/make/patterns-yarns/
  • Pattern requirements:
  • Use a yarn(s) from a CYC member that is washable and dryable. Members: Lion Brand, Red Heart, Yarnspirations
  • Any colors, stitches and project levels are welcome
  • Submitted pattern(s) needs to be in a word doc format and include at least one image of the section within the pattern
  • Must submit one high res photograph of the section (separate from the pattern doc) for promotion purposes
  • Pattern deadline: 
  • Friday, March 19
  • Submit crochet patterns here
  • Please name the file as follows: “Your Name”, Crochet - “Name of Pattern” Pattern
  • Submit high res crochet pattern photos here
  • Please name the file as follows: “Your Name”, Crochet - “Name of Pattern”
  • Submit knit patterns here
  • Please name the file as follows: “Your Name”, Knit - “Name of Pattern” Pattern
  • Submit high res knit pattern photos here
  • Please name the file as follows: “Your Name”, Knit - “Name of Pattern”
  • Pattern release waiver:
  • Please read and then sign and submit the ‘WUA! Design Donation and Release’ waiver to this folder by the deadline
  • Will my name and URL/info be included anywhere?
  • Yes, you can include your name, website and/or social media handles on the pattern

Once you have reviewed all of the information above and are ready to start working on your pattern(s), please fill out this survey to let us know your contact information and how many patterns you will submit. After the contest deadline, we will randomly select 5 winners to receive a prize of various assorted yarns and yarn accessories from our members. 

Thank you so much for your consideration in helping us celebrate Warm Up America!'s 30th anniversary and raise much-needed funds for our organization. We can’t wait to see all of the wonderful patterns you create!