The crafty crocheter from Launceston started crocheting beanies for her family in her down time.

But she soon realised she wanted to make more than her small family could use.

“I am really passionate about helping your own community,” she said.

“I knew that the people at the women’s shelter gave all of their new clients beanies, so I thought I could make them to donate there.”

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The One Thousand Beanies project was soon born, and Mrs Brean said she realised she wasn’t the only person willing and able to help.

One Thousand Beanies is calling on other crocheters and knitters who wish to create and send beanies to be donated to both the women’s and men’s shelters in Launceston.

Mrs Brean said while she knew she wasn’t “changing the world” she hoped that the donations of beanies would make some small difference.

“It might be hidden but there are a lot of people who are doing it tough,” she said.

“I know this won’t solve our homelessness problems but it might go some way.”

Beanies are easy to make and take only a few hours, compared to blankets.

“I like the idea of having a project that I’d actually complete, rather than having one that takes months,” she said.

Since the launch of the One Thousand Beanies project, Mrs Brean said she has received donations of beanies from around Australia.

A shipment of about 50 beanies from NSW arrived on Tuesday.

Mrs Brean said she liked the idea of joining with like-minded people to help make a difference.

“Everybody has something to offer, it might not be a large donation of money, or a large amount of time, but it can be something as simple as a beanie.”

Mrs Brean is a self-taught beanie maker, who taught herself how to crochet the head-warmers on Youtube.

“I learn better by watching rather than by following a close pattern,” she said.

Crocheting beanies is what Mrs Brean does in her down time, to help her relax.

“I can crochet a beanie in a few hours,” she said.

One Thousand Beanies has about 165 beanies.

The first shipment will be donated to the shelters next week.

One Thousand Beanies is hosting a craft day at Door of Hope on Saturday, from 9am to 1pm.