Apocalypse is nigh - should I start knitting?

[neadods]

There are so many charity auctions running right now, and all for causes I want to support. I'm starting to think that I should have, I dunno, a pool of things that can be dipped into when disaster strikes.

But what? It would have to be something that could be wholly created or partially assembled in advance or produced very quickly - not something that takes time or thought because to be blunt, I'm not necessarily going to have time or thought to spare when the need strikes. (Japan's pressing need while I'm entirely wrapped up in my own drama is a very timely example.)

Personally, I'm troping toward things like the "rainy day care package" or recipe collection for help_japan (and a box of recipes went for a really high bid for help_haiti)

On the other hand, it seemed like "I live in this place" theme packages were doing really well for Haiti, but the "DC Christmas" basket I offered got a single pity bid.

This is why I'm a suck salesperson. So, I'm crowdsourcing. What kinds of things would get you to *bid* and compete to bid, and at what price point(s)? Because the point here is to raise money for a cause and obviously I don't know how to offer something that does that.

Major skills are knitting, cooking, quilting, and writing (by which I mean technical writing, if anyone wants to bid on having something explained clearly). Gift box assortments can be done, but advice on what items to offer would be appreciated.* Customization for a person or a fandom do-able.

Comments

[wendymr.livejournal.com]

I saw a LOT of bids on a pair of TARDIS mittens, and lindenharp's Fourth Doctor scarf is currently going for $40. So why not knit something of interest to fandom? How about a Watson-sweater-style scarf?

[brewsternorth.livejournal.com]

I for one would be interested in a Watson!scarf.

[taffimai.livejournal.com]

I went "Oooooh" over those TARDIS mittens too!

[neadods.livejournal.com]

The scarf's up to 40? Not bad.

The problem with a project that big (Who) or complex (Watson) is that they'd have to wait for the *next* disaster, but they're do-able. (I'd have to even learn how to do mittens, but TARDIS anything... a TARDIS lap blanket may do well.)

[wendymr.livejournal.com]

The item doesn't have to be ready to ship immediately. Some writers, for example, are warning bidders that fic won't be ready until summer. If you don't start the project until someone buys it, you can offer them the ability to customise! Choose your own colour! Choose your size! Specify the length/width/whatever! Now that's worth bidding on :)

[neadods.livejournal.com]

It still rather depends on my life not falling to pieces in large sections, as it still seems so prone to do. I don't mind customizing small pieces, but a Who scarf or a Watson scarf is tens of hours of knitting - and I only touched needles once since Gally, for example.

That said, I have an idea, but I'm letting it marinate before I unveil it.