A Brisbane charity that knits and distributes blankets, jumpers and beanies to warm the homeless population is asking for community support to get a new set of wheels and continue its work.

Knitting for Brisbane's Needy (K4BN) has distributed more than 400,000 items for the past 12 years, but is this year trying to keep up with the highest demand it has ever seen.

Brisbane City Council workers clear a homeless 'township' under the Go Between Bridge in October 2016. Credit:Cameron Atfield - Fairfax Media

The group supports more than just the homeless, providing toiletry packs to domestic violence victims in shelters, donating to the maternity ward at Cooktown Hospital in Far North Queensland, and supporting struggling farmers.

The charity was founded by retirees Karen and Peter Croke, who say their van is on its last legs and have asked for the public's help.