Knitting for Charity

Posted on by October 2, 2012

A while ago, I got an email from historical romance writer and all-around amazing person Priscilla Shay, talking about knitting charities. After some discussion, we came up with a plan that might be relevant to any of you guys who are also yarners.

Here’s the deal: We’re making blankets for premature babies using the charity Stitches From The Heart. What we want from you is squares. Lots of squares. You can knit them, crochet them, weave them, knitting-loom them, or whatever. It just needs to be something that Priscilla or I can seam together with a bunch of other squares to make a blanket. Stitch pattern, color, and yarn are also up to you. (Though we recommend something soft, since this will be for tiny babies.)

A few  guidelines:
1. Use SOFT yarn, preferably acrylic so the parents can easily wash the finished blankets. If you need a few inexpensive ideas, Caron Simply Soft, Bernat Softee Baby, Vanna White, and Lion Brand Baby Soft are great places to start.
2. Squares need to be 5”x5”. The uniform size is so we can easily stitch them together.
3. This will run from October 1, 2012 to February 1, 2013. This is to give you plenty of time to yarn up a few squares. In February, Priscilla and I will figure out where everyone needs to send their squares, and then we’ll get to sewing them into blankets.
4. There is bribery involved. The person who sends in the most squares will win a goodie bag of books and swag. I’ll even throw in a skein of my handspun yarn. This will be international, so even if you don’t live in the US, you’re invited to enter.
5. And if you don’t want to enter, you just want to send squares, that’s great, too.
6. All you need to make are squares. You can put any pattern on them you want, or you can make them simple. This is up to you, and so that even the newest of yarners can join in.
7. Fill out this form to help us keep track of your squares.

Did I mention how amazing Priscilla is? Because she’s hosting a giveaway. All you have to do is help spread the word about Knitting for Charity and use this Rafflecopter.

Any questions?

Comments

Knitting for Charity — 39 Comments

  1. Pingback: Knitting for Charity | Priscilla Shay, author

  11. So I am vaguely computer illiterate. That chart we are supposed to fill out? Do we wait until we are done making the squares or do y’all want us to fill that out on a more or less continuous basis? Sorry if this is a silly question, I just don’t want to pull it up in January and find out I won’t actually help by filling it out or something. :/

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  12. What an awesome thing to do! I’m a bit of a nervous flyer and crochet always calms me down. Since I fly to and from Oregon in January for a low-residency MFA program I will be crocheting up a storm for this!

    Reply ↓

  13. Pingback: Nodds & Nends: Cosplay, Snow White, Knitting, and a Rant « Absurdly Nerdly

  14. Pingback: Random stuff | Jodi Meadows

      • It seems like there are a lot of writers here. This isn’t just for writers, is it? I am using some baby yarn given me. It’s a little “rough” when knitted, but when washed with Downy, becomes soft.
        Is this okay?

        Reply ↓

        • There are a lot of writers here, it’s true! But this isn’t limited to writers! If you’d like to knit squares for premature babies, you’re welcome to join us.

          Any yarn is fine as long as it’s soft when we get the squares! Keep in mind that these blankets will go to delicate, premature babies, and we want them to have only the very softest blankets.

          Reply ↓

  16. I feel silly asking this question so late in the game but where should I send the squares to? :/ Mine are going to be late getting to you, I’m sorry.

    Reply ↓

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