Big Knit is Back!

We are delighted to tell you that The Big Knit is finally back!
Since the Age UK national campaign began in partnership with Innocent Drinks back in 2023, knitters up and down the country have helped knit millions of tiny hats, raising millions for Age UK and Age UK brand partners.

Every hat knitted on the Island ends up on the top of an Innocent Smoothie bottle and raises 30p to help Age UK Isle of Wight provide much-needed services and support to older people.

How It Works?

The Knitting Phase

This year’s campaign kicked off in October 2024 and the ‘Knitting Phase’ will be continue until June 2025. This is where we need keen knitters to help us knit as many tiny hats as possible.

You can find some simple fun knit patterns, plus some more intricate ones for those who like a challenge by clicking here. Feel free to share these patterns with friends, knitting groups and other keen knitters. If you would like more or for some to be posted to you, please get in touch.

There are more patterns at: www.innocentdrinks.co.uk/big-knit

Sending Your Knits In

Age UK Isle of Wight will receive 30p for each hat knitted and sent to us. This means 100% of the money raised by your knitting will stay on the Island and helps us to support older people in your community.

To ensure this money stays local, your woolly masterpieces must be received by or Age UK Isle of Wight (17 St Thomas’ Square, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 1SL). Please DO NOT hand them to any of the Age UK charity shops in Ryde and East Cowes, as this means the money raised from these hats will go to the National Age UK organisation, who we are a brand partner of, but independent from – meaning we are not financially supported by. However, this year the Age UK shop on Pyle Street, Newport has partnered with us and will be sending any hats our way that they collect.

We collect hats in at any time of the year, so feel free to post small batches or drop them off to our office.

Hats On Sale

Hats will go on sale in October 2025, and you will see your creations in local supermarkets and some coffee shops too. Historically they have been sold in Costa Coffee, as well as many of the well-known supermarkets.

Finally, if you know of anyone else who would like to knit or crochet for us too, please ask them to contact us.

If you would like any more information about The Big Knit please don’t hesitate to contact Cally Trott by phoning (01983) 525282 or email us: fundraising@ageukiw.org.uk