With socks, mittens, and hats, we can pack many more items per box and warm more people in the same amount of cargo space -- which is especially important with air transit. Making socks, mittens, and hats is a terrific chance to use wool oddballs on hand. These are portable projects that take less time. You can play a lot with color. You don't have a large package to mail to us.

Please assume standard garment sizes. Here's a size chart for reference.

Please DO NOT send items not listed above. Only the items above will be sent to Afghanistan. Please note, we never have a need for used items, scarves, ear warmers, felted items, fingerless gloves, toys, store-bought merchandise, fleece anything, quilts, knitting-loomed creations, or unassembled squares. Do not send items for preemies. We can only send what is specifically requested by our partner relief agencies and appropriate for the Afghan culture. Cargo space is extremely limited.

Important points to review:

Please review our GENERAL GUIDELINES and MAIL ADDRESS here.

Due Date: No campaign announced yet. Please check back for updates.

Email us when you send your gift, and we will acknowledge you by email. If you need confirmation that your package has arrived in San Francisco, please enclose a self-addressed stamped card or envelope, and we will mail it back. Or, use the signature request service of your delivery agent.

Please be sure to check this page (or our email list) for updates. Join our email list for notices by sending an email to: afghansforAfghans-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Please spread the word!

Another important way to participate ... please tell your fiber friends about our campaign. We count on volunteers for word-of-mouth to keep our momentum. Please share the link to this webpage. Add one of our banners to your blog or website.

We have told TIE that each item is lovingly created as a special gift. The quality, beauty, and distinctiveness of our handmade wool garments are not available in any store! These are gifts of friendship and respect during wartime. The recipients are going to be cold and at risk, and we're stepping up to do what we can to comfort those enduring hardships.

Founded by Budd McKenzie in 2002, Trust in Education (TIE) is a U.S.-based non-profit, grass-roots organization that delivers educational, economic, and health care assistance to Afghanistan. TIE informs and enlists Americans to become directly involved in rebuilding. They are a tie between American and Afghan communities. TIE's priority is working for educational opportunities that will foster long-range stability and prosperity. Visit TIE's website to read more. TIE will transport and distribute our wool gifts and report back to us. We are fortunate to partner with TIE because they are still able to successfully deliver material supplies. We value their indispensable efforts and devotion to relieving suffering and to improving the lives of Afghans.

Transit to Afghanistan is difficult to arrange and subject to delays. (Such as the Pakistan government closing the overland transit road to Afghanistan in response to NATO drone attacks in November 2011.) It is much harder to partner with relief groups that are dealing with little or no certainty. We now only use air transit to avoid the overland transit delays and the customs process in Karachi, although we can be subject to inspection delays or the flight schedule changing for other priorities. War, politics, and weather can change course or cause delay. Because of this, our campaigns have become smaller, but we are doing our best to keep up our effort. The need remains large, and we are determined not to forget the people of Afghanistan.

Making a difference on the other side of the world may seem impossible ... but your handmade gifts and generosity bring true comfort and warmth. Each garment means one more baby, young child, woman or man is going to be a lot more comfortable because of you. We really can do something tangible and meaningful for people so far away and living under tremendous hardship with few material goods. Our gifts make a difference in the lives of the recipients. The Afghan people still need to know that we care.

Our deepest gratitude to the volunteers who have been contributing for many years, and welcome to the new volunteers who keep our momentum going. We're determined to continue our tradition together.

Thank you for reading. Your caring and involvement matter!

Tashakor,
Ann and colleagues

PS: Looking for group camaraderie and inspiration? Need a head start to give these babies a head start?Join our afghans for Afghans' knit and crochet-along , with our moderator Elizabeth Durand. The more, the merrier! You can also find the friends of afghans for Afghans group on Ravelry.com.

In partnership with the San Francisco office of the American Friends Service Committee, the afghans for Afghans project started in late 2001 in response to the war that unfolded after 9/11. Who knew that more than 14 years later, our handmade wool garments would still be needed in Afghanistan. Thank you for continuing to take action with your own hands and hearts to remember the Afghan people.

Check out our Bulky Yarn Fundraiser -- luxurious yarn at a fabulous price for a good cause. Thanks for your support.