The March Knitting Challenge is a great way to support people with arthritis whilst taking on your won knitting challenge throughout March. Here are some questions and answers about the challenge:
How does the challenge work?
The challenge is flexible so you can adapt it to suit you. You set your own target, by trying to knit as much as you can throughout March or by committing to knit a specific amount of time a day. For example, this could be taking on one long knitting pattern to be completed by the end of March or aiming to knit lots of smaller items.
The challenge starts on Friday 1st March 2024 and ends on Sunday 31st March 2024. If you are unavailable that day don’t worry, you can choose a different day in the month to start your Knitting Challenge.
If you are ever stuck for inspiration, our March Knitting Challenge Facebook group can provide you with all the support and advise you need throughout the challenge. If you want to crochet instead of knitting, you can do that too!
Fundraising questions
How do I raise money?
Facebook Fundraisers are the easiest way to raise money. You can set one up in a few seconds here then share the page with your family and friends to gain sponsorship for your personal challenge.
Don’t forget to change the end date of your fundraiser to the 14th April 2024 to prevent your page ending before you’ve completed your Knitting Challenge. You can also set your own fundraising target.
Alternatively, you can set up a JustGiving page here: Just Giving March Knitting Challenge
Make sure to personalise your page with a photo and by posting updates to let everyone know about your challenge. The more you post on your fundraiser, the more people see your incredible progress and are encouraged to donate - you can even create a QR code for people to scan and donate!
You can raise money by asking people to sponsor you for your personal knitting challenge.
Can I ask for suggested donations for the things I make?
Yes – you can make knitted or crocheted items and either gift them to people who have made a donation, or provide a suggested donation amount for something. It is up to the person donating to choose what they’re happy to donate for that item. The important exception to this is knitted or crocheted toys (or anything that a child might mistake as a toy or which otherwise could be deemed a toy) as they have specific manufacturing regulations which you must adhere to. Please find out more information here: Using the UKCA marking - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Can I raise money by selling my items?
We do not recommend you selling items for this challenge to raise funds for Versus Arthritis. Due to applicable trading laws, if you decide to sell any such items, then you must ensure that your knitted and crocheted items comply with standards set by law; and that you have appropriate public liability and business insurance in place to do so.
How do I find my Facebook fundraising page?
You can access your fundraiser from your profile page. If you’re on mobile, there will be an option to ‘manage fundraiser’ under your profile picture, if you are on desktop this will be on the left-hand side of the feed. This will take you to your fundraising page.
How can I change the end date on my Facebook fundraiser page?
When you set up your fundraiser, be sure to set the ‘end date’ to 14th April 2024. This means your page will close after the end of the challenge. Unfortunately if it closes early, it cannot be re-opened.
To change the end date once your page is set up, click ‘edit’ on your fundraiser, scroll down to see the end date and change to 14th April 2024.
Where will my friends and family’s money go?
100% of your donations on your Facebook or JustGiving fundraising page will go directly to Versus Arthritis. You don't have to worry about this, it happens automatically.
The money you raise helps to support the 10 million people in the UK living with arthritis through investing in cutting edge research to develop life-changing treatments, providing support and advice to people living with arthritis whenever they need it, and campaigning relentlessly for arthritis to be seen as a priority. For both Facebook and Just Giving, when your page closes the money goes directly to Versus Arthritis, you do not need to do anything.
Prize Draw Questions
How do I enter?
To be in with a chance of winning, you must have set up a fundraising page on either Facebook or JustGiving, linked to the March Knitting Challenge 2024.
Hit the following fundraising milestones to be in with a chance of winning.
Raise over £10 and you’ll be entered in to the third prize draw.
Raise over £30 and you'll be entered in to the third prize and second prize draw.
Raise over £60 and you’ll be entered in to the third prize, second prize, and top prize draw.
What is the deadline for hitting the milestones?
The deadline to have hit these milestones is the 17th March 2024.
How many chances are there to win?
The third prize draw will have 10 winners.
The second prize draw will have 8 winners.
The top prize draw will have 3 winners.
When will winners be announced and how?
Winners will be announced in the March Knitting Challenge Facebook group on Monday 18th March 2024, and winners will also be notified by email (if email has been provided).
If I win, how will I receive my prize?
Your prize will be sent out in the post upon confirmation w/c 18th March 2024.
Tote bag questions
How do I get my free bag?
We will get bags out as soon as possible, please allow 10 - 14 working days from the date you registered to receive your bag. Please note we can only provide one free canvas bag for your March Knitting Challenge.
I haven’t received my tote bag; can someone help me?
Please allow 10 - 14 working days from the date you registered to receive your bag.
If it has been longer than this, you can contact us at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to help.
Can I have an extra tote bag for my friend/family member?
These bags are exclusively for those taking part in the March Knitting Challenge 2024. Encourage your friends to sign up and join you for the challenge and you can all knit together!
I didn’t get any confirmation of my order, how do I know you’ve received it?
If you have completed the registration form, we have received your order. If you wish to check, you can do so by entering the email address you registered with into the form. If you are unable to submit the form, this will mean you have already ordered your tote bag.
I don't live in the UK, can I still get a bag?
Unfortunately, we're unable to deliver bags outside of the UK, however, you are more than welcome to still join in the challenge.
Arthritis questions
I suffer really badly with my arthritis and find knitting every day very difficult. Can I change the challenge to suit me?
Absolutely. The challenge is flexible, and you can adapt it by setting your own target. As this is a month-long challenge you can create a schedule that works around you, whether that means knitting for a certain amount of time each day and having a few days off, or trying to complete one big pattern in the entire month. If you’re a seasoned pro, challenge yourself by setting a goal of knitting a large pattern in a short amount of time.
Do you have any advice for people who suffer from arthritis?
If you have arthritis in your hands or wrists you may find it easier to use ergonomic knitting needles which are easier to grip, or circular needles to prevent the weight of what you are knitting from putting strain on your wrists.
Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned pro, make sure to pace yourself and don’t overdo it. If you are in pain don’t push yourself, and ensure you take rests when needed. As this is a month long challenge you can create a schedule that really works for you and add in days off if you need too.
To help prevent pain, hold you hands in warm water for a while before you start knitting and do some gentle hand exercises. You can find some exercises for hand and wrist pain on our website here.
If you have any other questions, please get in touch at [email protected] or call 0300 790 0405 and we'd be happy to help.
