Not sure if this would help, but there are online programs that you can use to calculate how much yarn you need for socks and sweaters, and how big to make them and stuff
http://thedietdiary.com/blog/lucia/530
ANother idea would be to look in all the charity knitting groups. Word travels quickly online, and there are now a lot of homeless people, Iraq soldiers, and puppies in the pound that are toasty warm.
Good luck with your paper!