Knit, Crochet and Sew for Charity
LOVING HANDS SPRING CHALLENGES
31ST JAN 2010 - 24TH APRIL 2010
We will need bags - either kids swim bag or gym bag picked up when out
shopping or our stitchers can hand make them and put drawstrings in the top
(like a larger version of the teddy or ST bags you already make).
Items for :- New babies
Toddlers (boys or girls)
3-5 yrs (boys or girls)
6-8 yrs (boys or girls)
9-12 yrs (boys or girls)
Teen (boys or girls)
Lady
Man
OAP (male or female)
Obviously we can also label the bags for hot or cold climates and fill
accordingly as well (the needs in the likes of Kosovo or Albania will differ to
those in Haiti or Kenya for example).
We can add toys, toiletries, writing materials, tools, nappies etc into
these as well as all the hand made with love items we produce. A practical way
to get aid in a ready to use form to those who need it :0)
Your smaller - side - challenges are as follows :0)
1. We have been approached by one of our former clients to give her
another load of prem baby and burial items. Sadly she has run out of what we
gave her before. As well as this I know our Portsmouth group have found a few
SCBU’s who are in need of extra things. The lady who contacted me said she
needed prem baby cardies and hats, burial gowns and angel pockets. Pretty,
special blankets. Also small toys that could either be buried with baby or kept
by mum as a keepsake. We also like to have a few lovely shawls and christening
or baptism gowns ready for when we get special requests - not all parents are in
the position to be able to rush out and buy these when faced with tragedy and it
is really nice to be able to provide them with really pretty items for that
final journey.
2. As you know - and a lot of you are already acting on - Avril has run
out of Boobs again! With the baby shows starting up in March she will be in
need of a ‘boob injection’ in time for the season starting up. All colours and
sizes - you can send them in stuffed or not (Kelly will finish them off for you
here!), They are now giving them out to midwives in exchange for donations to
BLISS (a charity which helps parents who have lost babies to miscarriage or
stillbirth) so we will also be helping to raise funds for a very worthwhile
cause at the same time.
OK - I think that is enough for you all to be getting on with - RWB,
Wigglybags, Bags of Love, Prem and Burial items and Boobs - hope I haven’t
disappointed anyone and that you all approve of my choices. (It is always a
nervous time for me waiting to see if you are pleased with what I have chosen)
:0)
AUTUMN CHALLENGES 2009
19TH JULY TO 17TH OCTOBER, 2009
So here we are - time to launch our new challenges to run from today
(19th July) through to Saturday 17th October. I have had
some lovely feedback from the last challenges and requests for our next ones so
it has been hard to choose again what we will ask you to do but here goes - hope
you all approve of my choices :0)
This challenge will once again be in four parts - feel free to do any or all
of them or even just continue with items from our wish lists - there is no
pressure to do the challenge items if you don’t like challenges :0)
Part 1. We felt that the gents miss out a lot when we are making things -
there are not as many patterns for mens garments and we tend to make ladies tops
etc so I thought it would be nice to make the men folk our priority for
Blythswood this challenge. You could make anything from hats, gloves and socks
to jumpers, waistcoats and cardigans. There are lots of nice slipover patterns
and I am sure a lot of you are dedicated sock knitters and would love a chance
to show us what you can do. I got the idea for this one from our own dear Granny
Do who has made some lovely waistcoats which are lined in beautiful silky lining
fabric - they are ever so good Do and I know you are going to share your pattern
with Suzanne so she can make some too. Stitchers could make waistcoats like Do
or maybe fleece fabric could be turned into warm scarves or hats. As you have
done so well in this challenge I think you can easily manage 500 items for men
in this challenge :0)
Part 2. An old chestnut again but we are sending them out as fast as we get
them in these days - we need more boobs girls! As well as keeping Tommee Tippee
going for the baby shows and raising lots of money for cancer research we get
lots of requests from individual midwives and hospitals as well so this is an
ideal chance for the new members to get involved in a ‘boob job’ - you may have
seen the amazing fair isle ones done by the St Mary’s Church group the other day
so you will see as far as colours are concerned - anything goes. You can still
send them in ready to be stuffed and Kelly will happily finish them off at this
end. I would love to have 500 of these as well - they are quick and easy to do
and with so many new members I am sure we will reach this target no problem
:0)
Part 3. Blythswood’s Shoe Boxes. The reason we do the shoe boxes for
Blythswood is because they make them for all ages from babies to old folk so
nobody misses out. I am not expecting anyone to fill an entire shoebox
themselves but if you are sending in other items you could maybe pop in an item
or two to be included in the boxes. The ages range from babies, children, teens,
men, young woman, older woman. Scotia Aid tell me that Blythswood kindly
transport their items to Serbia in exchange for the Scotia Aid team checking
their shoe boxes every year. Last year Frances tells me she checked over 2000
boxes and that the age group that were very low in numbers were teenage boys.
Hopefully we will manage to fill quite a few for teenage boys this year to help
with those targets. The check list of suggested items is below:-
Toiletries (no talcum powder)
Soap
Shampoo
Face cloths
Wipes
Deodorant
Moisturising Cream
Comb/brush
Sanitary Products
Shaving Foam/razors
Toothbrush/toothpaste
Clothes
Underwear/socks/tights
Hat/scarf
Gloves/mitts
T shirts/jumpers/pyjamas/shirts etc
Miscellaneous
New Make Up
Sewing Equipment
Household Candles
Screwdrivers/Pliers
Kitchen Utensils
Stationery
Pens/pencils/sharpeners
Notepads/colouring books
Rulers/rubbers
Small toys
Sweets (no chocolate or any other food - no loose sweets, lollies or undated
bags of sweets). Best before date no earlier than March 2010.
Age range. Baby boy/girl
3-7 “ “
8-12 “ “
Teen “ “
Woman
Elderly Woman
Man
We will be collecting boxes here and wrapping them in Christmas paper ready
to have a packing day closer to the time for collection.
Part 4. Emma at Algerian Action tells me that a lot of children over there
have to spend months at a time in hospital and away from their families. Most
childrens wards have very little in the way of toys so Emma would like to give
them boxes of toys for each ward. She has asked if members could maybe knit,
crochet or sew toys for the children to play with. I had a thought that as a
team effort we could also make some of the Noahs Ark or Farmyard sets that are
available. I know I have the Alan Dart Noahs Ark pattern here and have just
ordered the Knitted Farmyard book - we could each make one or two bits from each
of these and get a few ready that way. Other ideas could be topsy turvy dolls,
juggling balls, skittles, dolls with clothes you can change etc. Of course there
is nothing wrong with a good old fashioned rag doll or teddy bear either. :0)
Again I won’t put a number on these - just let us try to give Emma a good
selection of toys for the children to play with while they are away from their
families.
We also have a wee extra challenge - Pat our Silver Surfer has asked us to
make wee christmas hats for the babies in her loical hospital - they need a
mixture of prem and newborn sizes done in red/green/white - newborn to be
fiished as normal , prem ones to be either tea cosy style or super stretchy with
a gap about 2 inches long left in the side seam for access with equipment. I am
sure we will get lots more rhan 50 so any extra ones we will pass on to other
hospitals as well.
So there you are girls and guys - your new challenges. I hope none of you are
disappointed and that I have given you plenty of choice here. Looking forward to
hearing what you all think of these choices.
Get those needles clicking and lets make this challenge as good as the last
:0)
Lou
Loving Hands Charity
Knitting Group
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Update on the Spring Challenge 2009
Now we have the launch of the Summer
2009 Challenges
OK - It is that time again - I know you have all
been waiting for the announcement of the Summer challenges for 2009. These will
run from 12th April right through to 18th July and we will then announce the
Autumn challenges on the 19th July. :0)
This time we are looking for four sections again with items to suit all of your talents whether you knit, crochet or sew for us I am sure you will all find something to get you working like fury - if not then by all means feel free to continue with your favourite items from our wish lists - as you all know already we can always find places for everything we receive at HQ :0)
First off we would like you to help our furry friends - we are looking for Dog Coats, Pet beds and Animal Blankets - these can be knitted, crocheted or stitched - we need all sizes from pussy cats and puppies right up to Great Danes - we would love to get 200 of these if possible xx
We have been approached by SANDS the UK charity that supports bereaved parents - they have launched an appeal for blankets for their precious memory boxes - these blankets need to be made in white (they will also accept cream) DK yarn and 4mm (size 8) pins. Here is the pattern to use:-
200gm of Double
Knit Wool and size 8 (UK) needles
BASIC BLANKET
Cast on 1
stitch
Next row :- Make the one stitch into two stitches.
Next row :- Knit
1, into the next stitch make another,3 stitches on needle.
Continue to knit,
ALWAYS knit the first stitch and into the 2nd stitch make another.
Only
increase this way at the BEGINNING of a row
Continue until you have almost
come to the end of the 100gm ball. Knit 1 row plain.
Next row:- Knit 1, Knit
2 together, Knit to end of row. Continue this way, always knit the 1st stitch
then decrease into the next stitch by knitting 2 together until 1 stitch
remains. You should now have a neat square.
LACE
EDGING
Using Double Knit
and size 8 (UK) needles Cast on 8 stitches
Row 1 ( Wrong side) Slip 1, Knit
1,(Yarn fwd knit 2 tog)twice, Yarn fwd Knit 2 (9sts)
Rows 2, 4, and 6. Slip 1
Knit to the end.
Row 3. Slip 1, knit 2 (yarn fwd knit 2 tog) twice. Yarn fwd
Knit 2 (10sts)
Row 5. Slip 1, knit 3 (yarn fwd knit 2 tog) twice. Yarn fwd
Knit 2 (11sts)
Row 7. Slip 1, knit 4 (yarn fwd knit 2 tog)twice . Yarn fwd
Knit 2 (12sts)
Row 8. Slip 1, Knit 11 sts
Row 9. Slip 1 Knit 11 sts Row
10 cast off 4 Sts Knit to the end ( 8sts) These 10 rows form the pattern.
Continue in pattern until it is long enough to fit one edge, or all around, as
you wish. Sew onto the blanket
We are hoping to be abe to give them 200 to help out
with such a very worthwhile cause which I know is very close to a lot of our
members hearts :0)
Part 3 of our challenge is for summer items for
children - for our knitters this could be cardigans, tank tops, summer tops,
dresses etc. Our stitchers could make pretty dresses, shirts, shorts, trousers
etc. These items will be divided equally between our two childrens charities -
Linda MacDonald and Algerian Action so we would love to be able to send them 200
items each - that means we need 400 childrens summer items
xx
and finally Part 4 - this one is the pet project of
our lovely Suzanne and she has already had a trial run which is off to the
charity for approval so she can then help any of our stitchers who want to take
part - Algerian Action is looking for sanitary towels for girls in their
catchement area who are desperately needing them. You can read all about it in
the 'washables' section on the Algerian Action website. Apparently some of
these poor girls have been reduced to using plastic bags as they do not have the
money to buy towels - in this day and age this is appalling and easily remedied
by providing each girl with a set of washable towels in a handy drawstring bag -
there are instructions on Algerian Action for the wayh Lynne has been making
them or Suzanne has devised a way to make alternatives. We will not put a set
target on these but would like to help as many girls as we possibly can to have
a bit of dignity and comfort back in their lives.
So there you have it folks - another challenge
launched - I hope none of you are disappointed and that we have managed to give
you something for everyone to get involved in again.
Good Luck (although I am sure you won't need it -
you will hammer these targets as always xx)
Hopefully everyone will be happy with these :0) I am shattered after all
the counting, packing etc but ecstatic with the totals - aren't they all
wonderful - I am so proud of you all xxx
Don't work too hard!
Thank you!
Lou
Loving Hands Charity Knitting Group
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OK girls - I have kept you all waiting long enough - can we have a drum roll
please
The Winter Challenge totals as of today 14th January,
2009!!!
Teddies 140 (19 of them are sitting here beside me waiting
to be stuffed and finished off before I pop them into their box to post off to
Alice tomorrow).
Teddy Bags 80
Blankets 158 - these have been
Vacuum packed ready to be handed over to Kathy Henry and her hubby tomorrow afternoon -
Kathy's church group will be taking the blankets over to Zambia for Aids Orphans
there.
Sailor's Hats 302 - all boxed
and ready to take to the post office tomorrow morning before I go to meet Kathy
at the other side of the Forth Road Bridge,
It is a rather large box - glad
I have Kelly here to help me move it and get it into the post office
Pyjamas and Nightdresses - sadly this was a bit of a non
starter as we still haven't found a source of materials yet. We have had 14
pairs of pyjamas and 8 nightdresses made so far - hopefully we will be lcky and
find a supplier willing to donate some material for these later and can revisit
this challenge then - we have increased our pile of items for Linda McDonald
over this quarter - she is sooooo delighted with all you do for her and has
mentioned us in her newest newsletter
There are still more to be added to the above totals so I will wait
about a week and then add the late items on - well done everyone - I will post
up the new Spring Challenges in the morning so watch this space........
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OK my merry little band of helpers - here we go - the Spring
Challenges for 2009 - these will run from today Thursday 15th January to
Saturday 11th April (Summer challenges can then be announced on Easter Sunday -
very fitting I thought :0).
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Update
on the Autumn Challenges 2008
Here you go girls the totals you have all been waiting for!!!
In the
Autumn Challenge I set you back before I had my accident I asked you for 200
boobs for Tommee Tippeee - our total to date is 120 - a bit short of the target
but Barbie, Kate and I will continue making them to make sure Avril doens't go
short.
I asked you for 300 scarves for Blythswood and we have made it -
309 to date - well done!
I also asked for 500 items for Linda McDonald
and we now have - wait for it - drum
roll please!!!! 736 items - all bagged and waiting for Lida to send over the
lovely Barry with his landrover to collect them! Fantastic effort girls :0)
Stella has helped me also to count and bag up hats for Paul O Gradies
Save the Children challenge and we had 1,600 hats which we bagged up in 8
parcels each containing 200 hats! Didn't we do well :0)
You should all
be ever so pleased with yourselves.
Update
on Summer Challenge 2008
Hello Everyone!
Here we are again with the latest update from Loving Hands Headquarters! You
all did amazingly well with the last round of challenges - we asked you to make
us 200 of each of the challenge items and (as always) you did us proud and have
smashed all the totals!
Final figures were:-
Baby Hats 1103
Baby Cardigans 367
Blankets 280
Jumpers and Cardis for children 273
Fantastic! I am so proud of you all - what a great job!
Hope you are all
ready for the next round now! This one will run from now to the 28th
September - keep you all out of mischief for a while!
The competition will end on the 14th
September and entry forms will be sent out
to all who wish to take part!
We thought this was enough to be going
on with as we are still making Teddies for Tragedy and Bags for them for the
next three weeks anyway. (For those of you who have been out of the loop through
not having internet access - we have been churning out Teddies for Tragedy and
the stitched bags to put them in for the Singing Children of Africa to take back
with them at the end of their tour here (end of July they leave us). Obviously
these teddies are great for Linda MacDonald and Blythswood as well so they will
be great for ongoing projects too.
Hope you all like these challenges and
we smash these targets as well as we did the last ones!
Remember if you need anything at all give me a shout!
Keep up the great work - you are all stars! (By the way we now have 251
members - woo hoo - we are growing!).