1.A knitting challenge – baby cardigans. These are needed for the following charities and may be sent direct or to the Loving Hands address in a mixed box.

 

a)Freedom From Fistula Foundation, Robertson House, 1 Whitefriars Crescent, Perth PH2 0PA are in need of cardigans for premature to 3 months old in BRIGHT colours http://freedomfromfistula.org.uk/make_a_difference/fundraise/the_big_knit_challenge

 

b)Greenfield’s Africa, 8 Pendrel Close, Market Drayton, TF9 2ET are in need of baby and toddler cardigans up to age 3 years preferably brights although they are happy with pastel or white as well http://www.gfafrica.com/baby-clothes/4557393185

 

c)Knit for Peace, The Charities Commission, Radius Works, Back Lane, London NW3 1HL are happy to have any size and colour cardigans for the Syrian refugees in Kurdistan http://www.knitforpeace.org.uk/2015/08/27/helpforrefugees/

 

There are lots of patterns to be found in Pattern Central

http://lovinghands.freeforums.org/baby-patterns-f147.html

in particular for the smaller sizes Marian’s patterns are excellent http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/mariannas-lazy-daisy-days/patterns

 

 

2. A sewing Challenge – skirts, shorts and dresses for the children in Gambia http://rosettaceesay.wix.com/helpinggambia

Boys shorts and trousers, sun dresses for girls age 2 -10, long skirts for girls age 11 - 14 (midi or maxi length straight with elasticated waist or wrap around) these can be any style, preferably bright and cheerful colours and patterns. Finished items can be sent direct to Rosetta, pm her or email [email protected] for the address or send in a mixed box to the Loving Hands address

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.Knitting and crochet – ventilator hats for St George’s Hospital London, Royal Stoke University Hospital and NHAP

We got a message from a lady called Kayleigh Conway who told us about Sunrise Senior Living’s Annual Knit for Winter campaign, which this year is supporting First Touch at St George’s Hospital in London. They are aiming to provide ventilator caps for the approximately 600 premature babies born in the unit each year. They want them made to a specific pattern, and if you make them to this pattern you can send to:

First Touch, Neonatal Unit, St George’s Hospital, Blackshaw Road, London SW17 0QT

or in a mixed box to Loving Hands (Please put them in a bag marked First Touch so

they can be sent to the right location). The pattern can be downloaded from this link

http://www.sunrise-care.co.uk/blog/november-2015/knit-for-winter-first-touch.aspx

 

To make to our existing patterns for Royal Stoke or NHAP please follow these links

for a knitting pattern

http://lovinghands.freeforums.org/ventilator-bonnet-knit-3-or-4-ply-or-dk-t14679.html and a crochet pattern http://lovinghands.freeforums.org/ventilator-bonnet-crochet-4-ply-or-dk-t14680.html

They can be included in a mixed box or for NHAP sent direct to their address which is on our charities list.

 

4.Finally, with critters in mind, is a nest challenge!

These nests are vital for the work done in rescue centres for small animals and birds, those that have been abandoned by their parents for instance – there are lots of lovely photos of the knitted and crochet nests on this website http://wildliferescuenests.weebly.com/

This link will take you to the guide for what is wanted, there are knitting patterns and crochet patterns here too http://vanessalaurin.com/temp/NestGuide.pdf

Here is a link to addresses where nests can be sent, it is updated regularly so you will always know what is needed and where https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1G7iqWLWlh1Vmt2LWaO0fr_cqwxg7TpvJVvZqg7FfXIQ/edit#gid=71474085&vpid=A1 hopefully you will be able to find a rescue centre that is local to you, if you want to send them to the Loving Hands address that is fine, we will send them out as and when they come in