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Loving Hands Website
Spring Challenges 28th Feb to 29th May 2016
1.) Crochet and Knit - Comfort Dolls for Dementia – Blankets and dolls clothes
This non-profit project was set up by Stephanie Dunlop after she heard about the benefits of doll therapy used in some care homes for people living with dementia.
The aim of this project is to provide care homes/dementia units with comfort baby dolls. The objective is to distribute comfort baby dolls in new/almost new condition which have been donated to Comfort Dolls for Dementia by kind hearted individuals, school and community groups. Each doll will be dressed in hand knitted/crocheted clothes and blankets donated by talented knitters and crocheters nationwide. This provides a visual and tactile traditional and nostalgic feel to the baby doll.
Stephanie says “Any blankets are very much appreciated but they need to be at least 28 inches, up to 30-32 inches. The reason they are so large is because the people with dementia want to totally swaddle the dolls in the blankets (they are not used in prams as a wee cover). As they didn't have central heating when they had young babies, it was necessary for them to keep them wrapped up and this is what they like to do with the dolls. They can be any colour, made up of squares or one piece, knitted or crocheted. If they are making dolls clothes, they must be for dolls length 16 inches, with head circumference 14 to 18 inches. If making baby clothes then prem baby 12 inches chest is a good size. At the moment I am delivering them in Renfrewshire, Inverclyde and Dunbartonshire but this will be expanding as I get more dolls and knitting.”
If you have a local outlet for these that would be brilliant too!
2.) Knit - Premature Baby Clothes
Following on from our dear SS-Pat’s great grandson being born early and needing tiny clothes it brought it home to us that there is always a need for tiny clothing for these unexpected early arrivals. So the next challenge is premature baby clothing – hats, bootees, little jackets. These are all the things that Ethan needed and are just about impossible to get without being hand made.
Here are a few links to patterns for premature baby items, but you can use any pattern that you like.
Simple bootees pattern http://www.allfreeknitting.com/Baby-Booties/Basic-Baby-Booties-from-Bernat
Bliss free patterns http://www.bliss.org.uk/knit-for-premature-babies
BBC Stoke lots of free patterns http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/stoke/hi/people_and_places/newsid_8674000/8674298.stm
Bonnie Babies Charity knitting patterns http://www.bonniebabies.co.uk/knitting.htm
Knit for Peace free patterns http://www.knitforpeace.org.uk/projects-and-patterns/
And of course our dear Mayflower’s patterns - http://lovinghands.freeforums.org/mayflower-s-patterns-f142.html
It really doesn’t matter what pattern you use, just get those needles clicking to help the little ones that arrive earlier than they should!
If it is possible to contact your local hospital to find out if they have any needs that would be great, or they can be sent to LH Central Control for us to distribute.
3.) Kids scarves and gloves for Operation Orphan, Christmas Shoeboxes, Knit for Peace etc.
We get a lot of hats coming in that are sent on to these charities but scarves and gloves / mitts are less often received. The Shoebox appeal tries to put a set in with each box, Operation Orphan particularly ask for gloves / mitts ahead of their summer pack and Knit for Peace is sending items to the Syrian refugees in Kurdistan all year round.
Scarf sizes approx. 4” - 5” wide and minimum 36” long (we recommend that the length is the height of the child)
Here are a few links to patterns but you can use any pattern that you like!
Free scarf patterns - http://www.allfreeknitting.com/Childrens-Knit-Scarves
Free mitten patterns (you have to put an email address in) - http://www.allfreeknitting.com/Knit-Mittens/16-free-knit-mitten-patterns
4.)Sewing – Heart Mastectomy Pillow
These heart shaped cushions are made for those who have had breast surgery / mastectomies, to help them to find a little comfort. There is a lovely lady called Jen on Facebook who runs a non-profit making group that sends out pillows free of charge to those that need them, she says “The pillows are used after mastectomy surgery / or any breast surgery to help support and protect the tender chest area. They help by fitting under the arm when doing everyday tasks such as sitting, sleeping, watching TV and when in the car.
The pillows may be washed on a gentle 30 wash and air dried.
The pillows are free, all we ask is that you donate a minimum of £3 towards the postage and packaging.” A very worthwhile cause
https://www.facebook.com/Jensfriendsmastectomypillow/
Follow this link for the pattern - http://www.angelpillow.org/sewing-instructions.html
The address to send pillows to is Jen’s Friends, c/o Alison Booth, 40a Singleton Ave, Horwich, Bolton, BL6 7DU (or in a mixed box to LH Central Control for onwards distribution)
So there we are, cannot believe another 3 months has already whizzed by! We hope you like these challenges, and maybe make or two. But if you would rather carry on with the usual requests that is fine too.