Project Knitwell

Name

Project Knitwell

Legal name

Project Knitwell

Website

https://projectknitwell.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Therapeutic Arts and Wellness Services

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Textile & Fiber Arts Classes (Weaving, Knitting, Embroidery, Dyeing) (THAJAKAB)

Keywords

• Therapeutic knitting instruction
• Wellness programs
• Arts in health
• Caregiver support
• Compassion fatigue programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Mclean

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting the nonprofit mission. Options include one-time gifts, monthly sustainer gifts (Close-Knit giving program), and donations specifically for knitting kits.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Businesses sponsor Project Knitwell events and initiatives. Partners include Lion Brand Yarns, Knitter's Pride, Spincycle Yarns, Solitude Wool, and others who donate products and funding.
3. Foundation Grants: Awarded $75,000 grant from Gerard B. Lambert Foundation in August 2023. Also supported by Blackbaud Foundation Community Matters Grant (2018) and Virginia Commission for the Arts.
4. Shop Sales: Sale of knitting kits ($25), Resource Guides ($10), specialty yarns, and merchandise. Proceeds directly support program operations.
5. Gift Card Fundraising (RaiseRight): When supporters purchase gift cards through RaiseRight, brands donate a percentage to Project Knitwell at no extra cost to the buyer.
6. Affiliate Commissions: Participant in Amazon Services LLC Associates Program - earns advertising fees from links to Amazon products.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Project Knitwell is a nonprofit organization that provides free therapeutic knitting instruction to individuals experiencing stressful situations, including hospital patients, caregivers, refugees, and at-risk youth. Programs are delivered through volunteer-led in-person instruction at hospitals and community sites, one-on-one virtual lessons via Google Meet (Knitwell in the Cloud), and online social knitting groups via Zoom (K2Tog). The organization also sells sponsored knitting kits, resource guides, specialty yarns, and a co-published book to fund programming.

Product overview

Project Knitwell operates as a nonprofit offering a portfolio of therapeutic knitting programs rather than a single product. The core offerings consist of Knitwell in the Cloud (virtual one-on-one instruction via Google Meet), K2Tog (online social knitting workshops via Zoom), and Hospital and Community Site Programs (in-person instruction at partner locations). Supporting offerings include the Resource Guide for New Knitters, free Super Simple knitting patterns, and sponsored knitting kits. Specialty items include Solitude Wool PK Colorways yarn, Tracye's Cowl Kits, the published book 'The Comfort of Knitting', 2023 Knitathon video bundles, and a free hospital program implementation guide. The organization primarily generates revenue through donations and merchandise sales to support its mission of providing knitting as a wellness tool.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Knitwell in the Cloud: Virtual instructional program offering private, one-on-one knitting lessons via Google Meet for individuals affiliated with program sites.
• K2Tog (K2Together)

Products and services

• Knitwell in the Cloud Virtual one-on-one knitting instruction program delivered via Google Meet. Provides beginner knitters and those needing project help with up to 4 private lessons per participant, including a materials kit with yarn, needles, and resource guide. Available free to participants with a $10 refundable deposit to reserve lessons.
• K2Tog (K2Together) Monthly online social knitting groups and workshops for knitters of all abilities, hosted via Zoom. Features presentations on knitting techniques and wellness themes, with Project Knitwell instructors hosting and participating. Serves as a continuation program for Knitwell in the Cloud graduates.
• Hospital and Community Site Programs In-person knitting instruction delivered by trained volunteers at hospitals, community organizations, schools, and other partner sites. Serves diverse populations including cancer patients, caregivers, seniors, refugees, at-risk youth, and healthcare workers, providing complimentary beginner kits with yarn, needles, and the Knitting Resource Guide along with ongoing instruction.
• Sponsored Knitting Kit A $25 donation provides a complete knitting kit to a program participant, including yarn, needles, and the 28-page Resource Guide with patterns. Kits can be gifted in honor of friends or family members, with proceeds directly supporting program operations.
• Resource Guide for New Knitters A 28-page publication providing how-to instructions for starting and ending knit projects, simple patterns, online and print resources, and yarn store listings. Available for a $10 donation with shipping included.
• Solitude Wool PK Colorways Special edition Targhee three-ply sock yarn dyed in exclusive Project Knitwell colors (PK Teal and hand paints). Sold at $38 per skein with all proceeds benefiting Project Knitwell.
• 2023 Knitathon Video Bundle Recorded sessions from the March 2023 Knitathon event featuring presentations by fiber artists and wellness advocates. Includes video replays, speaker resources, and a bonus knitting pattern, available with a $25 minimum donation.
• Tracye's Cowl Kit Named in memory of Tracye Payne Wilson, this kit contains Dragonfly Fibers Super Traveler yarn in an exclusive Purple With a Purpose colorway and a cowl pattern by Tanis Gray. Sold at $19 with all proceeds benefiting Project Knitwell.
• The Comfort of Knitting A how-to-knit book published in 2015 by Project Knitwell and Lion Brand Yarn Company (Leisure Arts). Focuses on helping families and caregivers alleviate stress, anxiety, and fatigue through knitting, containing 7 basic patterns.
• Free Knitting Patterns Six free Super Simple patterns designed in garter stitch that can be knit in multiple sizes and yarn weights. Includes patterns for ear warmers, hats, fingerless gloves, cowls, scarves, and summer scarves, plus Valentine hearts.
• How to Start a Knitting Program in a Hospital Free PDF guidebook sharing lessons learned since Project Knitwell began. Covers critical stakeholder involvement, program costs and funding, volunteer recruitment tips, and available resources for organizations wanting to replicate therapeutic knitting programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Published research study demonstrating knitting intervention may help oncology nurses manage compassion fatigue (Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, February 2016)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, key and supporting.

• MedStar Georgetown University HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2016Foundation site since 2010 where Carol Caparosa first volunteered. Project Knitwell conducts ongoing research on knitting for wellness with oncology nurses at this site. Provides programming hospital-wide including pediatric oncology, transplant, NICU, and staff wellness programs.
• Smith Center for Healing and the ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost site for Knitting on the Couch program. Project Knitwell has partnered with Smith Center for virtual programming through Knitwell in the Cloud. Provides knitting instruction for patients, survivors, and caregivers affected by cancer.
• Children's National Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides knitting programs in NICU, Hematology/Oncology, Cardiac Intensive Care, Dialysis units, and Ronald McDonald Room. Classes also provided for NICU staff.
• Inova Health SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple Inova hospital locations including Inova Fair Oaks Hospital (Cancer Rehabilitation), Inova Alexandria Hospital (NICU), Inova Mt. Vernon Hospital, and Inova Schar Cancer Institute (Artists in Residence Program).
• Catholic Charities Diocese of ArlingtoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through CCDA's Immigrant and Refugee Services program providing knitting instruction for refugees from Afghanistan in Woodbridge location.
• Friends of Guest HousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResidential facility for formerly incarcerated women. Project Knitwell provides bi-monthly knitting sessions as part of the women's work and life skills program.
• USO Warrior and Family Center at Ft. BelvoircoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWeekly knitting classes for active duty military and families with deployed service members. The largest USO center in the nation.
• The Children's Inn at NIHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides knitting programs for families staying at The Children's Inn while receiving treatment at the National Institutes of Health.
• Fairfax County Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership began October 2024 providing afterschool knitting programs at three elementary schools: Riverside Elementary, Hollin Meadows Elementary, and Bucknell Elementary.
• RICA - John L. Gildner Regional Institute for Children & AdolescentscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResidential facility in Rockville for children and teenagers with emotional challenges. Project Knitwell provides regular knitting sessions.
• Lion Brand YarnskeyGTM or Marketing PartnerDonated hundreds of skeins of yarn for starter and project kits since 2016. Partnered with Project Knitwell to publish 'The Comfort of Knitting' in 2015. Donated proceeds from online yarn sales on Giving Tuesday 2018.
• Knitter's PridesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerGenerously donates bamboo knitting needles for Learn to Knit kits. Needles are made from bamboo grown and cultivated in Japan with soft touch and strong quality.
• Spincycle YarnssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerUSA-based mill and dye house provides high quality wool yarn to Project Knitwell for distribution to new and experienced knitters facing challenges.
• Solitude WoolsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerDyes special PK colorways in their Targhee three-ply sock yarn. All proceeds from sales benefit Project Knitwell. Partner for Giving Tuesday fundraising.
• Row House YarnsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerProvided begin to knit videos (Knitting 101) to Project Knitwell to support participants learning to knit after their session ends.
• fibre spacesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal yarn store in Alexandria, VA. Hosts fundraisers and Shop for the Cause events. Provided startup funds for Project Knitwell's programming at Friends of Guest House. Partner for Giving Tuesday.
• Bowling Green State UniversitykeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerDepartment of Justice Grant partnership helping teachers and staff learn knitting to improve mental health while building stronger school community connections. Research collaboration with Dr. Kristina LaVenia.
• N Street VillagecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization serving women affected by housing insecurity and mental health challenges. Volunteers donated almost 200 hand-knit hats during pandemic.
• PRS RecoverycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBehavioral health day program for adults with serious mental illness. Clients join knitting circle as part of progress toward their treatment goals.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Project Sunshine: Volunteer-driven nonprofit serving children and families facing medical challenges in hospitals. Comparable in volunteer-delivered programming in pediatric and family hospital settings, though broader in activities than knitting.
• Knit for Peace: UK charity that unites knitters and distributes hand-knitted items to those in need, including refugees and hospitals. Comparable in knitting-as-wellness mission and community-driven delivery model.
• Warm Up America: Nonprofit distributing hand-crafted blankets and afghans to people in need through volunteer knitters and crocheters. Comparable in volunteer-driven knitting charity model, though focused on finished goods rather than instruction.
• Smith Center for Healing and the Arts: DC-area nonprofit integrating arts and healing programs for cancer patients and survivors. Project Knitwell is a direct partner, and the organizations share a focus on arts-based wellness interventions in the same geography.
• Knots of Love: Nonprofit providing hand-knitted and crocheted items to chemotherapy patients and others in need. Comparable in using volunteer knitters to support patients, though focused on producing items rather than teaching the skill.
• RxArt: Nonprofit that places fine art in hospitals and healthcare facilities to improve patient experience. Comparable in partnering with healthcare institutions to deliver art-based wellness interventions, though focused on visual art rather than craft.
• Stitchlinks: UK-based charity promoting knitting for wellbeing, with research and programs positioning knitting as a therapeutic activity. Highly comparable mission and craft-based wellness model targeting similar populations (stress, anxiety, isolation).

Broad incumbents

• National Organization for Arts in Health (NOAH): US membership organization advancing the arts in health field across multiple art forms. Comparable in promoting the integration of arts (including knitting) into healthcare settings, but operates as a broader industry body rather than a single-craft nonprofit.
• Association of Child Life Professionals: Professional organization supporting child life specialists who provide developmental and emotional support to hospitalized children. Comparable in serving pediatric hospital populations, though as a professional body rather than direct service provider.

Emerging players

• Loose Ends: Nonprofit matching volunteer knitters to finish uncompleted projects for people who have passed away or are unable to complete them. Operates in an adjacent knitting-for-good space with shared volunteer-network characteristics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ProjectKnitwell
• Instagraminstagram.com/projectknitwell
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/project-knitwell

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Project Knitwell