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Knitters and non-profit entrepreneurs Masey Kaplan and Jennifer Simonic have created Loose Ends Project, an organization to complete unfinished projects left behind by crafters who have died or who can no longer do handwork due to compromised health.

The free, volunteer-based service gives surviving families and friends an easy way to find knitters, crocheters, quilters, rug hookers, or any other crafters needed to complete a project. Skilled volunteer finishers wrap up the projects and return them to their intended recipients.

“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 especially for you, it feels good — the recipient of a handmade gift is thoughtfully considered with each stitch. When a maker dies mid-project, this tangible, handmade expression of love could get lost, donated, or thrown out. Loose Ends volunteers’ goals are to finish these projects as intended and give them back to be used and cherished,” says Masey Kaplan, Loose Ends Co-Founder.

The idea for Loose Ends came about when the founders, both avid knitters, realized that they had a shared experience: Friends would often ask them to finish blankets, sweaters, or other projects left unfinished by deceased loved ones. They would always do so enthusiastically, understanding what it feels like to wear something a loved one has made.

But not everyone has a friend who’s a skilled crafter. That’s where Loose Ends comes in. Instead of wondering where to turn, surviving family and friends can find out about the volunteer network of Loose Ends through referrals from craft stores, from an online search, or through word of mouth.

“Crafters tend to be a generous lot, often creating items for hospitals, shelters, and schools. Loose Ends is simply another place for crafters to demonstrate selfless kindness to a stranger,” says Jen Simonic, Loose Ends Co-Founder.

Loose Ends has nearly 22,000 volunteer finishers from 65 countries including Australia. The organization will match finishers to projects of any textile handwork craft including knitting, crochet, rug hooking, embroidery, cross stitch, quilting, et al. To date, more than 2500 handwork projects have been completed.

Anyone can submit a project or sign up to become a finisher on the website: LooseEndsProject.org