Loose Ends aims to ease grief, create community, and inspire generosity by matching volunteer handwork finishers with projects people have left unfinished due to death or disability.

knit / crochet / sewing / quilting / tatting / rug-making / embroidery / cross-stitch 
Tunisian crochet / mending / amigurumi / needlepoint / basketry / turkey work  
felting / nalbinding / applique / spinning  / latch hook / punch needling / weaving

Loose Ends welcomes textile handwork crafters
of all sorts, from anywhere in the world.

Email or print our flyer and share it with your community.

Flyers are available in Czech, Dutch, English, French, German, Hebrew, Hmong, Italian, Norwegian, Spanish and Swedish.


Interested in translating our flyer into a language we don’t already have? Let us know!

"When I first heard about this, I couldn't believe it was true. Who does this anymore? How do you thank someone for doing something like this?" —B., Project Owner

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"This just warms my heart! It actually brought tears to my eyes. Y'all are amazing!" (M.D.)

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"Oh I love this! The things my mom has knitted for me mean so much to me. What a beautiful gift this will be for so many." (L.D.)

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"Such a beautiful and amazing idea!" (G.B)

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"Some of my most satisfying work has been legacy knitting for others." (M.D.)

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"What a generous gift you are giving to families! Fantastic!" (B.B.)

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A wonderful idea! Should become a worldwide project! At this moment I knit the socks my mother started: mourning with a smile! (C.D.)

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"When I first heard about this, I couldn't believe it was true. Who does this anymore? How do you thank someone for doing something like this?" —B., Project Owner • "This just warms my heart! It actually brought tears to my eyes. Y'all are amazing!" (M.D.) • "Oh I love this! The things my mom has knitted for me mean so much to me. What a beautiful gift this will be for so many." (L.D.) • "Such a beautiful and amazing idea!" (G.B) • "Some of my most satisfying work has been legacy knitting for others." (M.D.) • "What a generous gift you are giving to families! Fantastic!" (B.B.) • A wonderful idea! Should become a worldwide project! At this moment I knit the socks my mother started: mourning with a smile! (C.D.) •

Started with love by them.
Finished with care by us.

Handmade items are gestures of love. The time, expense, and skill that go into making them are impossible to quantify. When you wear something made special for you, it feels good — you were thoughtfully considered with each stitch. When a maker dies mid-project, this tangible, handmade expression of love could get lost, donated away, or thrown out.

Or, it can be finished as intended and given back to be cherished.

Jen and Masey tuned in the the @norfolkmakersfestival via Zoom today to be part of a panel discussion, “From Craft to Career.” The other panelists had it all going on. There are still 2 days left to attend the festival for folks who live
“It means everything to me to have something that she has worked on. My brothers have the shawls that she knitted when their children were born, so this is my little bit of Mum to keep and cherish.” “Mum (Ria) was diagnosed with l
“Loose Ends Project affects so many people in such positive ways. I felt fortunate I was able to help someone while doing something I love AND I made a new friend. I felt very fortunate to be part of something so precious and meaningful. It
We want to hear about it! #kindnessofstrangers #poll
As we get ready for the @hhamericas tradeshow in Chicago I wanted to show off a cross-stitched QR code that one of our amazing finishers made for us as a gift. (Thank you Victoria). #finishersrock #grateful #QR #crossstitch
AFTER / BEFORE: “Jean Smith worked so hard to finish this project while in hospice. It was a quilt square of the month project and when she started to decline, she called the company to send the last few months. She was working on this even a w
Betty loved two things: genealogy and quilting. She taught workshops for both. I knew her in her later years. When I visited regularly we’d talk about her two favourite things. When she was no longer able to see she wanted people who valued her
“My mother was an avid knitter, crocheter, and seamstress. She often made gifts for family members, but especially for me, her only daughter (I have four brothers). She did teach me all of her crafts, but six years ago I had a brain injury that
“I’ve kept this for many years after it became clear mom was no longer able to work on it. Mom passed away this past December. Over the years Mom made beautiful and colorful blankets and bedspreads, which have become family treasures. Mom
Mark your calendar for NOON (EST) on April 6 when the button will go live at @threadandmaple (link in bio). Choose from: @sonderyarnco Sunday Morning DK in Crosswords @magpiefibers Swanky DK in In the Navy @nicole_hueloco Merino DK in Agate @tanisf
“This blanket is special because this is for the final grandchild... and she never got her blanket, and she has always wished for it. This was the project our mom was working on when she passed suddenly of a massive brain hemorrhage...much too

Ways to Help.

Not crafty? That’s OK! There are other ways to help connect an unfinished project with a loved one who will cherish it.

  1. Download our flyer and share it with your local library, hospice, or friend.

  2. Connect with us on social media and share and repost any stories that resonate with you!

  3. Become a sponsor.

  4. Make a donation.