......I've put down the unfinished crochet blanket for the moment, and started knitting again. But - BUT - it's for a very good cause.
It started last Wednesday when my sister phoned.
"Quick," she said. "I need you to remind me how to purl. Now."
"Well," I said "Come over at the weekend and -"
"No! No time!" she said. "I'll youtube it.."
She's like that, my sister: she has an idea and she wastes no time getting on with it. So before she put the phone down, I asked for the full story. It turned out that Little E has a new friend whose mum, a former nurse, is trying to help a premature baby unit in Romania. She's looking for little knitted blankets and hats, my sister said, "I want to help. I might go to the wool shop in a bit." she said, and hung up.
A couple of hours later she sent me a photo of about half of a tiny hat and, the next day, another of the start of a blanket. I've found this amazing wool, she texted, all you do is stocking stitch and the wool does the pattern. Self patterning. It turns out looking like Fair Isle.
Well how could I resist? I started surfing. I discovered the baby blankets need to be washable - acrylic or cotton, the, not wool - with no lacy patterns or ribbons, in paler, restful colours, measuring around 18 inches by 24. Then I went to our wool shop. My sister has been using James Brett's Magi Knit. I found some Sirdar Baby Crofter which does the same thing
This wool is genius! It did all the work while I just stocking stitched in front of the tv for a couple of nights. It's addictive too - just one more row to see which bit of the pattern is going to come up next - and I'll admit it: I've ordered more. In pink. And blue. And maybe another neutral. Little E's friend's mum says there are lots of babies who need blankets. I will finish the crochet soon. But just one more blanket maybe? I do so want to see what pink faux Fair Isle looks like..
And the little teddy? When I went looking for something vintage nursery looking to add to my picture, I found this tiny bear my Mum made to fit in the front pocket of my schoolbag many years ago. He fits perfectly in the palm of a child's hand.
31 comments:
What a very good cause,Sian....and I'm tempted to go and look at that wool myself.
Love the blanket Sian, that wool is great isn't it? My Mum has knitted things for the premature babies too, a great cause:)
off to the shops tomorrow to look for that wool!!
That's fab, Sian! I bought some of this "self-striping" yarn, in soft pastels. Haven't tried it yet...but I have a project ready for it.
Perhaps I should crochet another baby blanket too...
Beautiful and for such worthy cause! I'll have to look for that yarn too. Thanks for sharing. PS the bear is adorable!
What a wonderful project for you & your sister to participate in - I know the recipients will be so blessed by the care in each stitch!!
Bravo for taking on and finishing a project so quickly! And for a good cause! It looks great and makes me wish i could knit...
What a great idea! Your blanket looks lovely and your teddy is gorgeous.
Sounds like an amazing project! There is something extra special about knitting for someone in need. Love your blanket and the pattern. I'm all about self striping yarn. I'm into sock knitting now and the self striping makes me look much more talented than I am. ;)
I think we'll let you off on this occasion ;)
What beautiful wool - and in turn such a beautiful blanket.
Art abandonment of the most beautiful kind - making things for such a worthy charitable cause is a wonderful act of kindness!
Great use of your creative time, how lovely to think of the blanket going to such good use.
you are just too good Sian..and clever. It's lovely to think that your blankets will be loved by a tiny bundle of joy x
They look lovely and are very much appreciated :) My son had a lovely tiny blanket backed with fleece in his cot in the ICU as a baby, it was just the right size for his basinet there and most importantly not clinical or medical. We got to bring it home and it is now in his memory box to remind us of the kindness of strangers when he was so poorly. Thank you and your sister xxx
What a lovely idea Sian and I just love how the blanket has turned out :D Well done! Changing to a new craft is a great motivator sometimes.
You are a such a bad influence ... You need to come with a warning " Do not become friends with this woman - she is dangerous to the purse" lol ... Yes, of course I'm going to google the wool,, I'd be crazy not too lol.
Such a great cause x
I'd join right in if only I thought I'd ever finish one. The one I started for my niece 30+ years ago was finally purged during the big clean-out in January! I have a couple friends who volunteer each week to hold premies in the local hospital.
oh! that's the sort of knitting I could do. I will seek out the yarn right now
It looks great Sian. I love the soft colours of it. Ok, I have to see if either of these yarns are available over here. When I used to go to our guild we made preemie hats.
Beautiful blanket, and I love the treatment in the first photograph.
Rinda
What a wonderful cause. It's beautiful. I wish I could knit too. My 14 year old healthy big twin boys were preemie nicu and I'll never forget those hard days. Maybe I will explore ways to teach myself to knit. It's certainly a very worthy cause. Michelle t
A beautiful blanket for a great cause and a cute bear too :)
What a great cause and a lovely blanket too. Think I will be googling that wool!
What a wonderful blanket, teddy, story and cause. I'll tell Princess about this.
You've a beautiful job of it, Sian - and your little bear has such a history. I like the marrying of the new and the vintage. I know that wool - the last thing my Mum knitted was a jumper in the blue one for her great grandson. She loved the magic of it too :).
Beautiful Sian and I love the colour. I've knitted with that wool - isn't it wonderful watching the patterns and colours take shape! And I love that adorable teddy - what clever and thoughtful Mum you have. The babies in Romania will be lucky to receive blankets from your sister and yourself.
Two needles are good, two needle-crafters even better. Bless you both for helping out the little ones.
Aw - I love the blanket and the story and the teddy, Sian! Isn't variegated yarn fun to work with? I used it for some knitted dishcloths and it was so fun to see the color changing on my needles as I worked.
What a great cause - good for you and your sister! xo
What a darling little bear! I didn't realise he was so tiny and I love the blanket too.
That's a lovely blanket. I remember using wool like that, knitting clothes for dolls and cousins' babies when I was a child. I think I had a pink, white and purple one and I know I had yellow, white and brown because i still have the mini teddy I made with it.
There's also a yarn which has flecks in it and knits up to look like tweed. Excellent for dolls' skirts and jackets.
Sent your post to my daughter, the knitter in the family. She just might be up to the challenge.
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