Auctions

Silent auctions are popular where I live in the San Francisco Bay Area. Many schools and churches hold fundraising banquets which include auctions. Auction items can be anything of interest: weeks at vacation homes, dinner parties, sleepovers at school chaperoned by teachers, and so on. Themed baskets also make excellent silent auction items, such as a collection of gourmet food or handmade baby gifts. It turns out that hand-knitted items are also a hit! Read on to see the donations I have made to silent auctions over the past few years and how much they have raised.

May 2016: In 2016, I was busy making Show Stopper bracelets for my holiday fundraiser. I chose one to donate to a silent auction for the annual summer mission trip for our Church’s youth group. The winning bid was $50.

Red and orange wire and bead bracelet in gift box

October 2015: For our Church’s 2015 gala auction, I donated this Autumn Aran Purse–a felted, lined handbag. A parishioner who is also an avid knitter placed the winning bid of $125.

Photo of Autumn Aran Purse

April 2015: I donated this “Clapotis” scarf, which I made from a silk & wool lace yarn, to a silent auction to raise funds for our Church’s youth group. They are planning a mission trip during the summer, and the auction will help offset their travel costs. My scarf raised $100 for the trip!

The Lace Clapotis Scarf

March 2014: I donated a “Citron” shawl, which I made from a soft, silk and alpaca lace yarn, to the silent auction at the school where my children went from preschool through 8th grade. It was auctioned for $80. A nice contribution to the cause!

The Citron Shawlette

March 2012: I made a Show Stopper bracelet for the silent auction at my daughter’s high school, which I think will raise at least $75.

Show Stopper Bracelet

Details about the pattern are on Ravelry

March 2012: This month, I also donated a KidSilk Creation scarf to the silent auction at my son’s school. The bidding started at $40 and closed at $50. I think the auction committee did a nice job displaying the scarf on a mini-dress form and in describing it on the bidding sheet.

White Ruffled Scarf

Auction Bidding Sheet

Taking a quick photo before donating it to the auction

Details about the pattern and yarn are on Ravelry

May 2011: I wanted to use some yarn from my stash to create donations for this year’s silent auction at our church. Using two skeins of sock yarn, I made the “Firefly Scarf.” The bidding started at $20, and ended at $55.

Fringed Scarf on the blocking mat

Scarf on the Auction Table

Details about the pattern and yarn are on Ravelry

For the same auction, I made a simple lap blanket using mohair from my stash. At the auction, it sold for $120.

Mohair Lap Blanket

May 2010: For my church’s silent auction in 2010, I created a “Baby Shower Gift Basket” which included a knitted baby blanket, knitted cotton washcloths, and burpers made by sewing ribbon on cloth diapers. I put these items into a basket which could be used in the baby’s room to organize essentials. The starting bid on this basket was $50 USD, and it was sold for $75.

Items included in the Baby Shower Basket

Details about the pattern and yarn are on Ravelry

April 2010: My children’s school held a fundraising dinner and auction. For the silent auction, I donated this chic, soft wrap. The bidding started at $50, and the final bid was $300!