Archive for Knitting Ideas
Relief Share Comfort Toys change lives! You can help!
Posted by: | CommentsRelief Share Comfort Toys Change Lives For the Better…You Can Help!
Knitted gnomes donated for sick and needy children
In the aftermath of a disaster, one of the most powerful tools in a rescuer’s armory is the ability to distribute soft toys to children who are traumatized. This has long been recognized as an effective way of helping traumatized children, and it is worth considering exactly why this is. It also helps us to understand the importance of the work we do in sending handmade items, such as toys, to aid agencies.
The Invisible Power of Toys
We all know that children love their soft toys, but have you ever wondered about the psychological reasons behind this attachment? Researchers Bruce Hood, of the University of Bristol, and Paul Bloom of Yale University conducted a study into the phenomena of attachment items – blankets or toys – and their results were striking. They ascertained that children believe that their toys have an ‘essence’, or life force, qualities that cannot be replicated. When offered the chance to have their toy ‘duplicated’ an overwhelming majority chose the original item over the duplicate. Professor Hood comments, “We anthropomorphize objects, look at them almost as if they have feelings. The children know these objects are not alive but they believe in them as if they are.” This behavior can be seen in adults too. After a burglary, even if the house contents are fully protected and stolen items replaced with identical ones, there remains a sense of dissatisfaction and loss. The new object never seems to replace the original. It seems that imbuing objects with special significance and regarding them as having an essential essence is not confined to children. In fact, it the cultural norm in some cultures. Professor Hood points out the some eastern beliefs centre around the idea that all things have a life force. Some cultures even find it hard to live in other people’s homes as they have a strong belief that there is ‘something intangible’ left behind by the previous occupants.
Transitional Objects
With this research in mind, imagine a child losing everything in a natural disaster? Imagine if their precious toy was lost forever, and they had to cope without comfort, in the midst of chaos and possibly bereavement. This is where aid shipments of toys can really help rescuers. Because even if the soft toys they distribute are not the ‘originals’, they still offer huge comfort to traumatized children. Many children in disaster areas will never have owned a soft toy of course. For these children, having something soft and comforting to hold, such as a toy or blanket, has shown to be highly effective in emotional recovery. In the west, up to 70% of children have a comfort object, since they tend to sleep apart from their parents at an early age. This is significant. Children in societies where this is not the norm may not have soft toys, but the importance of the parent in a sense of security is consequently even higher. To lose a parent in a disaster for these children is psychologically devastating. ‘Transitional objects’ (a physical object, which takes the place of the mother-child bond) become even more crucial in the days before proper support can be put in place in the rebuilding of a country.
Rescuers
Rescuers find that important links can be made with children in disaster areas or war zones if they are able to give them a soft toy to hold. There are several charities in the US who make sure that firefighters and policemen are kept stocked up with teddies for their vehicles, just in case they have to deal with a traumatized child. Their testimony proves that soft toys make a big difference.
Toys Change Lives
Aid workers in danger hotspots around the globe provide similar anecdotal evidence. The power of softness and comfort cannot be underestimated. Traumatized children can confide in a teddy bear in a way that may not be possible with an adult. Toys are frequently used in play therapy for this very reason, where they are known to improve feelings of social inclusion and pro-social behavior. The attachment that is formed between a child and the toy they are given cannot be more powerful. The gifts that you make and send abroad change lives, and bring comfort where there is despair. You can knit and sew in the knowledge that your work is making a difference to children somewhere in the world.
There are hundreds of free patterns for simple soft toys here. Make some toys, or send supplies to make toys to:
Relief Share, 6078 Lundy Rd, Houston, MO 65483-2225.
Soft sparkle yarn was used to make this cocoon and Momma hats for Relief Share
When the winter winds swirl around and chill us to our bones, you can imagine how the little ones feel….baby, it’s cold outside! Baby blankets, quilts, clothing and knitted or crocheted cocoons are very much needed for the babies in hospital and those in homeless shelters or crisis situations.
The pattern in very simple – cast on 80 stitches with circular needles or flat needles and knit for 18″. Decrease:
- knit every 8th stitch together for one row, knit the next row,
- knit every 7thstitch together for one row, knit the next row,
- knit every 6th stitch together for one row, knit the next row,
- knit every 5th stitch together for one row, knit the next row,
- knit every 4th stitch together for one row, knit the next row,
- knit every 3th stitch together for one row, knit the next row,
- knit every 2th stitch together for one row, knit the next row,
- cut the yarn long enough to seam the cocoon and gather the stitches on the needle into a circle and seam the cocoon. If you are knitting with circular needles, just gather the last stitches in the row and tie off.
This pattern works for the Ultimate Sweater Machine as well – you will need a garter bar for the decreases or knit for 21″ instead and simply gather the final row.
The hat pattern is the same for the cocoon but knit for 6 1/2″ before decreasing – this makes an adult hat. The baby hat is the same pattern but only cast on 40 stitches for a preemie baby or 80 stitches for a newborn baby and knit for 5 1/2″ before decreasing.
If you want to do chemo hats, it is nice if you add a crocheted flower to the side of the hat to cheer up the patient or if the hat is for a male, stripes can be added.
Donations are sent to Relief Share, 6078 Lundy Rd, Houston, MO 65483-2225. We are a 501 (c) 3 IRS approved charity – donations are tax deductible.
Make this season a bit warmer and more comfortable for the sick and needy by putting your sewing, knitting, crochet or crafting skills to work.
People who are not familiar with Relief Share charity work sometimes ask us what we do and what kind of donations we accept. The answer is simple. If there is a need and we are capable of addressing it, we do. Donations of all kinds are gratefully accepted – clothing for all ages, toys, books, household goods, animal supplies, cancer patient needs, help for those in hospital, homeless shelters, crisis centers and families who have emergent needs.
Relief Share mainly handles crisis situations to help in emergencies. We provide food (if available) clothing and items to help folks get through the crisis. Babies are always first and foremost in our humanitarian work. We specialize in newborn and preemie quilts, receiving blankets, cocoons, diapers, clothing, toys and more.
Currently our main project is keeping the hospital stocked with baby items so new babies in need can go home with the basics for a good start in life and we are also making 240 twin size quilts for Shriners Childrens Hospital. Supplies such as fabric, yarn, batting, etc are needed.
Relief Share donation out: Hats, scarves and lots of love to the crisis center.
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Crisis center donation of warm hats, scarves and more!
Our Relief Share volunteers have been very busy knitting and crocheting up a storm. Donations have come in from many parts of the country to be combined with items made here at Relief Share’s home office in the Ozarks. Many items to keep babies and families warm have been created with love and prayers to be shared with the sick and needy who appreciate a gift from a stranger to ward off the cold.
Hats, scarves and other items can mean the difference between staying healthy and getting sick. It can also mean the difference between a simple cold and pneumonia or worse. In more desperate circumstances, it can even mean the difference between life and death. Babies need their strength to heal and grow and a warm baby hat and cocoon can mean everything to a struggling family bringing home a preemie baby from the intensive care.
Relief Share is donating 50 handmade knitted hats, and many scarves and other items to the crisis center for the sick and needy, so the Thanksgiving and Christmas season will be a little warmer with love from the heart and hands of strangers who cared enough to spend their time, talents and resources on those who are in desperate circumstances and need help.
A heartfelt THANKS to all the wonderful donors and volunteers working with Relief Share to make the miracle of love and warmth happen for those who need us this season.
If you would like to help knit and crochet to help the sick and needy, feel free to use your own patterns and make hats, scarves, mittens, cocoons and sweaters in any size and any type of yarn – there is always someone waiting for your items as we address the needs at a number of hospitals, homeless shelters, crisis centers, medical clinics, churches etc across the country.
Send your donations to Relief Share, 6078 Lundy Rd, Houston, MO 65483-2225. We always send a thank you letter/tax deductible receipt with each donation received, so be sure to include your name and address for us to thank you properly 
We are so grateful for your love in action. If you would like to donate yarn, knitting and crochet supplies and tools, please do – we will love you for it!
President Carol Green
info@ReliefShare.org
Email me – I would love to hear from you and answer any questions you may have.
Large donation to the Medical/Surgical floor of the hospital
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Darling wee gnomes knitted by volunteers - donated from Grandmother's Attic.
We’ve been busy little bees at ReliefShare.org with knitting machines going full blast! Children and adults on the Medical Surgical floor at the hospital now have warm cuddly blankets, taggie blankets, soft knitted toy balls, knitted gnomes and more…we had a ball putting it all together and delivering it to the sick and needy!
Relief Share Knitted Gnome – free pattern
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Darling soft pink gnome - knitted
These darling Relief Share gnomes give the babies and children, who are sick and needy, something to snuggle with. They can help turn a difficult situation into a tolerable one with a soft toy tucked under one arm.
The stress of seeing a preemie baby in the hospital neonatal intensive care unit struggling for breath can be lessened for parents who see a sweet gnome in the side of the isolette with a tiny outfit and blanket made for their baby by strangers filled with love and caring.
You can find the pattern here: http://www.ravelry.com/projects/dec2057/gnome-baby-2 A huge thank you to Tonya for sharing her pattern.
These little gnomes are easy to hand knit or knit on a knitting machine. I hope you will make some for yourself, family and friends and then keep knitting make some extras to share with us with those in hospitals and shelters.
The pink gnome in the picture was hand knitted on size 6 knitting needles with acrylic yarn for the face, and the rest in worsted weight bamboo yarn. We doubled the number of stitches in the pattern for a larger gnome, but the smaller gnomes are perfect for little hands, too. There are many sizes of gnomes you can make, depending on what needles you use, or what machines or how many stitches you knit.
Little gnome snuggly and matching knitted woven ball.
Here is one of the regular size smaller gnomes we made and donated to the hospital. This little gnome and ball were knitted on an Ultimate Sweater Machine knitting machine (the kind you buy at JoAnn Fabrics) that is not mechanized. We used Love That Yarn acrylic yarn from Hobby Lobby. The pattern for the knitted ball is here on our blog as well – please feel free to knit and send them for our sick and needy babies as well.
Pomegranate gnome next to Sea Turtle gnome
We knitted a little pomegranate gnome by hand and you can see the difference between the same pattern knitted on the machine and by hand. Either way, they are a lot of fun. The little pomegranate gnome was given to a darling little boy at church who was good as gold for the entire hour with his little gnome to keep him company. There is magic in these little gnomes, we think 
Donations of knitted items, knitting supplies such as yarn, needles, etc can be sent to :
Relief Share,
6078 Lundy Rd,
Houston, MO 65483-2225
We are a 501 (c) 3 non profit registered with the IRS. Tax deductible receipts and thank you letters are sent out for donations received. Please include your name and address so we can thank you.
Easy knitted free Relief Share bootie pattern – it’s addictive ;-)
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Quick and easy baby booties pattern - knit
This darling Relief Share baby booties knitting pattern is great for beginners and experts alike. (Picture compliments of Wendy).
Knitting needles: size 5 or 6, depending on how tightly you knit.
Gauge: 8 stitches per inch. Use baby yarn.
Size given for small (med, lg)
Cast on 36 (40,44) stitches. Work in garter stitch (knit all rows) for 12 rows.
Next row: Knit 16 (18, 20) stitches. Knit next two stitches together (k2tog), slip one stitch from one needle to the other without knitting it (slst), then knit the next stitch and pick up the slipped stitch in front of it and pass it over the knitted stitch (psso), then knit to the end of the row.
Next row: Purl 15 (17, 19) stitches. Purl 2 stitches together (p2tog), then purl the next two stitches together (p2tog), purl to end of row.
Next row: Knit 14 (16, 18) sts. K2tog, slst, psso (see above for the meaning of the abbreviations), then knit to end of row.
Next row: Purl 13 (15, 17), p2tog, p2tog, p to end of row. Continue this way decreasing 2 sts each row until 24 (28, 32) sts remain on needle as follows:
Next row: K 12 (14, 16), k2tog, slst, psso, knit to end of row.
Next row: P 11 (13, 15), p2tog, p2tog, p to end of row.
Next row: k1, (yarn over, k2tog), continue to end of row. Knit next 6 rows and bind off LOOSELY.
With a crochet hook, chain 80 to make the tie (not show in picture), and run through the eyelet row. Sew up back and bottom of booties. Ta da!
Have fun knitting up a bunch and pop them into a package to send to Relief Share, 6078 Lundy Rd, Houston, MO 65483-2225 to keep the sick and needy babies tootsies warm in hospital and in the shelters.
Lovey blankets and comfort balls for sick and needy babies & children
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Lovely blanket and comfort ball
The babies in hospital and children at the shelters love these soft comforting lovey blankets and balls that our ReliefShare.org volunteers make. They love the balls so much that we call them ‘Comfort Balls”.
The blankets are made of soft material – usually 12″ square. One side is polar fleece or flannel and the other minky or fuzzy microfleece – any kind of material can be used as long as it is washable and soft – we’ve even used satin on one side – babies love soft material. Around the edge are loops of knitted i-cord that are sewn securelyl so toys can be attached to the loops or the blanket can be hung on an IV pole for distraction when the medical staff need to work on the child. The babies and children love to play with the loops as well. That’s what makes the blanket fun!
The knitted ball is a huge hit with all ages, there are times the volunteers play with the balls more than the children do. The balls are knitted in 6 strips that measure 8″ long by 2″ wide. (note: yes, the strips can be crocheted as well and so can the icord) For most sport or worsted weight yarn, that means 15 stitches by 50 stitches but you have to use a ruler and adjust the number of stitches as you use other yarn to make the balls. After the strips are knitted, the ball is woven together.
The first attempt at assembling the ball is usually a challenge but if you stick with it, something clicks and then you can assemble the balls with no problem.
The pattern for the knitted ball is found on ravelry.com – just type in ‘knitted ball’ in the search on their website and it pops right up.
Use your scraps of yarn to make comfort balls for all your grandchildren, children, kids at church and local hospital and if you have some left over, we would love it if you would like to send them to us to donate out.
Assembling the balls is not for the faint at heart. If you simply want to knit the strips and send them to us for our volunteers to assemble, that would be wonderful. You can even clean out your yarn stash for a good cause, pop your donation into a box and address it to Relief Share, 6078 Lundy Rd, Houston, MO 65483-2225 and we will be happy to knit up the balls and icord for the lovey blankets.
All donations are tax deductible and any and all donations are very welcome. There are no restrictions on what you can send, we make every donation count, no matter what it is.
Any type of yarn will do and any color. Children love lots of color and texture.
The lovey blankets are very easy to assemble as well, sew on the icord – or if you don’t have icord, you can sew on medium and wide width ribbon that is 4″ long and doubled around the edge of the blanket. Sandwich the ribbon inside the two pieces of fabric that are right sides together and sew 1/4″ to 1/2″ seam, leaving a place to turn the blanket right side out. Turn the blanket right side out and sew 1/2″ from the edge all the way around to make sure the icord or ribbon stays in place securely. Ta da! You have created a darling lovey blanket for a little one.
Questions? Email us at info@ReliefShare.org we’d love to hear from you or simply post a reply under this blog post! Happy knitting and sewing.
Do you like to make hats? Here is a free knitted hat pattern for charity.
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Add fun fur and a top knot to make a hat special. It may be the only hat the sick or needy receive. Show them your love by making it special.
Do you like to make hats?
ReliefShare.org volunteers love to makes hats. Baby hats, chemo hats, hats to keep families warm in cold weather, hats to brighten and cheer and bless, hats knitted, sewn and crocheted with love and prayers. We make them at home, on the road as we travel, at church or visiting with friends. You can make them with us for the sick and needy. Send them to us to distribute or donate to your favorite charity locally.
When knitting hats, we use soft yarn, like Love that Yarn from Hobby Lobby, Bernat, Lion Brand or Caron Simply Soft – something gentle to the skin and easy to wash (yes, that usually means acrylic so hospitals can put it in the washer and dryer). We also use wool, alpaca and cotton for hats if they are going to individuals who are willing to hand wash them.
The men like the grey ones we do with a black stripe or two, blue shades or the camo yarn hats. Red Heart makes Softee yarn and Red Heart kids yarn that is soft and wonderful. Some of the super saver yarns, depending on color are okay but some are rough, close your eyes and run your hands over the yarn. The touch test is the best way to tell.
Ladies like it when we put a crocheted flower on the hat and seem to prefer pink or pastel. Kids love lots of color. Babies look cute in anything pastel or colorful, but then again, babies look cute in anything 
We usually use size 7 circular needles with worsted weight yarn, but you can use your favorite yarn and needles.
With circular needles or double pointed needles, cast on 80 sts (depending on how large you want the hat to be and the kind of yarn you are using you can cast on 70 or 80). We love using a long tail cast on as it provides and nice even stretchy base to knit from. There is nothing more disappointing in spending the time to knit a wonderful hat and find that it won’t stretch over the head (we lovingly call those kind of hats ‘cast iron cuties” and they wind up getting redone or used for doll clothing if the size is right – nothing is ever wasted).
Join in the round, placing a stitch marker on first stitch to mark beginning of round.
Knit for approximately 7 inches then begin decreasing.
Row 1. Knit 8, knit 2 together (repeat to end of row. Row should end with last 2 sts knit together).
Row 2. Knit all sts.
Row 3. Knit 7, knit 2 together (repeat to end of row. Row should end with last 2 sts knit together).
Row 4. Knit all sts.
Row 5. Knit 6, knit 2 together (repeat to end of row. Row should end with last 2 sts knit together).
Row 6. Knit all sts.
Row 7. Knit 5, knit 2 together (repeat to end of row. Row should end with last 2 sts knit together).
Row 8. Knit all sts.
Continue in this manner, switching to double pointed needle (DPN) when it gets too small for the circular needles – or use the magic loop technique if using circulars to finish, until only 8 stitches remain. Cut or break yarn leaving a long tail to thread through the remaining 8 stitches. Tighten the bottom and secure yarn by weaving it up into the inside of the bag a bit until you feel it is secure and won’t come out.
Weave in any ends ( if you choose to do stripes you will have lots of them) and ta-da! All done
Sometimes we do an icord knot finish and sometimes an icord loop finish. Details can make the hat special for the recipient.
Note: Childrens hats are the same pattern as the adult but cast on only 60 for babies or 70 for toddlers/children. Knit for 4 1/2″ for babies and 5 1/2″ for kids then decrease. Women with small heads you can knit for 6 1/2″ instead of 7, depending on how much of a self rolled brim you want the hat to have.
Feel free to knit, sew, felt, craft or crochet hats of all colors and sizes to donate to charity. Our address is Relief Share, 6078 Lundy Rd, Houston, MO 65483-2225. All donations are tax deductible and we are happy to send a thank you letter and tax paperwork to acknowledge your donation.
Heart Baby Blanket Knitting Pattern
Posted by: | CommentsHeart Baby Blanket Knitting Pattern
Heart blanket to warm the body and the heart
An easy knitting pattern for a baby blanket featuring hearts. Garter stitch is knit between the hearts which are reverse stockinette stitch on a stockinette background.
Finished Size
30″ x 40″
Gauge
5 sts=1″
Materials
Size 6 US (4.25 mm) circular needles, 29″ or longer
7 skeins Bernat Satin
100% Acrylic
3.5 oz / 100 g
163 yd / 149 m
Instructions: CO 135 sts.
K 8 rows.
Rows 1, 3 and 5 (RS): K
Rows 2, 4 and 6: K8, (p19, k6) 4 times, p19, k8
Row 7: K8, (k9, p1, k15) 4 times, k9, p1, k17
Row 8: K8, (p8, k3, p8, k6) 4 times, p8, k3, p8, k8
Row 9: K8, (k7, p5, k13) 4 times, k7, p5, k15
Row 10: K8, (p6, k7, p6, k6) 4 times, p6, k7, p6, k8
Row 11: K8, (k5, p9, k11) 4 times, k5, p9, k13
Row 12: K8, (p5, k9, p5, k6) 4 times, p5, k9, p5, k8
Row 13: K8, (k4, p11, k10) 4 times, k4, p11, k12
Row 14: K8, (p4, k11, p4, k6) 4 times, p4, k11, p4, k8
Row 15: K8, (k3, p13, k9) 4 times, k3, p13, k11
Row 16: K8, (p3, k13, p3, k6) 4 times, p3, k13, p3, k8
Rows 17 and 19: Rep Row 15
Row 18: Rep Row 16
Row 20: K8, (p3, k6, p1, k6, p3, k6) 4 times, p3, k6, p1, k6, p3, k8
Row 21: K8, (k3, p6, k1, p6, k9) 4 times, k3, p6, k1, p6, k11
Row 22: K8, (p4, k4, p3, k4, p4, k6) 4 times, p4, k4, p3, k4, p4, k8
Row 23: K8, (k5, p2, k5, p2, k11) 4 times, k5, p2, k5, p2, k13
Row 24: Rep Row 2 Rep Rows 1-24 until desired length.
K 8 rows.
BO.
Thank you to Ann Saglimbene for sharing her free pattern for this blanket. Lots of babies in the hospital will now be cuddly warm. This is also a wonderful pattern for making chemo blankets for patients.
Relief Share
6078 Lundy Rd
Houston, MO 65483-2225
Preemie newborn knitted gown pattern
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preemie knitted gown
Many times we have requests for patterns that volunteers can use to make items for the sick and needy babies we serve. This pattern is free. When finished, please send to Relief Share, 6078 Lundy Rd, Houston, MO 65483-2225.
This should fit premature baby to newborn size 7 pounds or less.
4 oz Red Heart Baby Soft Yarn Size 6 needles 2 stitch holders 3 buttons Darning needle
Abbreviations:
K Knit
P Purl
St Stitch
Rib K1, P1, repeat across
Stockinette Stitch k1 row, p1 row
K2tog Knit 2 stitches together
P2tog Purl 2 stitches together
Inc Increase
BO Bind Off
OS Other Side
YO Yarn Over
RS Right Side
WS Wrong Side
NECKBAND
(you may design neckband in many variations: 6 rows of rib; garter or eyelet stitches. I used the eyelet pattern for my neckband for this pictured pattern.)
Cast on 40 sts. Knit 2 rows.
RS- (eyelet row) K3, *yo, k2tog, repeat from * to last 3 sts, k3. K 1 row.
Next row
– WS – k8, place marker, k6, place marker, k12, place maker, k6, place marker, k8.
Row 6 – k across row inc 1 st before and after markers.
Row 7 – k4, p across slipping markers, to last 4 sts, K4.
Repeat rows 6 & 7 four times, ending with row 7. There will be 4 purl ridges after the eyelet row
BUTTONHOLE
RS – k2, yo, k2tog, (buttonhole) k across continuing to inc 1 st before and after markers.(place a pin at the end of the row as this will be button placement)
Next row – repeat row 7
Continue pattern of rows 6 & 7 until 120 sts.
DIVIDE FOR SLEEVES AND BODY
(remove markers when you get to them) RS- k18, cast on 4 sts, slip next 26 sts (left sleeve) onto stitch holder, k32 sts (back) cast on 4 sts, slip next 26 sts (right sleeve) onto stitch holder, k18.
Row 1 – k4, p across to last 4 st, k4 (76 st)
Row 2 – k across.
Continue last 2 rows until 9 purl ridges from 1st buttonhole.
RS- k2, yo, k2tog, k across (place a pin at the end of the row as this will be button placement)
Repeat pattern of rows 1 & 2 until 9 purl ridges from 2nd buttonhole.
Make 3rd buttonhole as above. Continue pattern of rows 1 & 2 until 9 purl ridges from 3rd buttonhole.
CONTINUE FOR BODY
Use circular needle.
RS – knit across until last 4 st, (button band) Bind off those 4 st. of button band. Place a marker so that this will be the center by the buttonhole band.
Continue to knit unit desired length. Any where from ll” to 16” from armhole may be good.
K 1 row. P 1 row.
Make the eyelet row of *YO, K2tog * repeat pattern from * K 1 row. P 1 row. Bind off all stitches.
SLEEVES
Using regular straight needles. Pick up stitches from stitch holder. Join yarn. Stockinette stitch (k1 row, p1 row) for 20 rows.
Rib (k1, p1 across) for 6 rows. BO. Sew seam.
Sew buttons onto button band to correspond where buttonholes are from the buttonhole band.
Make a crochet chain approximately 30” to 32” for the drawstring.
Weave through the eyelet stitches at the bottom for a drawstring closure.
Designed and Created by Lois Walters July, 2004 original website listing http://lwalters1-ivil.tripod.com/kimono.html Thank you to Lois for making this pattern free
Lots of love in action – so much to share!
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Love in action - working together to help others.
This winter has been cold but filled with hearts made warm and cozy with lots of love in action from ReliefShare.org volunteers and donors from all over the country. A huge thank you going out to all those who have been shopping, knitting, sewing, serging, tatting, crocheting, crafting and de-cluttering for the benefit of the sick and needy we are helping.
Recent donations received include:
- hand knitted and crocheted hats
- prayer shawls
- afghans – all sizes
- baby blankets and snuggler cocoons
- baby sweaters and clothing
- infant demise layette sets
- crocheted, knitted and sewn booties
- children’s clothing and diapers
- hygiene supplies for needy families
- food items
- household goods – kitchen items, bedding, towels, electronics, etc
- beautiful quilts
- knitted and woven soft toys, stuffed animals and balls
- videos, books and toys
Donations have been give out to hospitals, homeless shelters, crisis centers, individuals, pediatric clinics, and other organizations that help the sick and needy.
Honorable mentions for donations and service include:
Janet W – WV
Melody G – CT
Michele H – UT
Kimiko S – VA
Jennifer S – ID
Dan W – MO
Christine R – SD
Herbert P – TX
Mary S – NC
SharpShoppersClub – MO
USCybertek – MO
Light Speed Interactive – ID
LDS Humanitarian – ID
Brian J – AZ
K W – ME
John S – AR
Barbara L – CT
Ethel V – OR
Charlotte B -CA
Cynthia S – WV
Ozark Glass – MO
JC Auto – MO
Marla P – KY
Grace D – PA
Terry W – KS
Diane H – AR
May God bless each and every one of you who answer his call to help. If you would like to help there are many things you can do.
- Spread the work and share our link of www.ReliefShare.org on your facebook page, twitter feed, or website.
- Go shopping and have a blast at the sales, then put your purchases for the sick and needy in a box and send it to Relief Share, 6078 Lundy Rd, Houston, MO 65483-2225.
- Clean out your closets for a good cause, de-clutter your home, teach your children and grandchildren about caring for others at Family Home Evening, family gatherings or one on one times – reach out to others by using your talents God has given you.
- Share your ideas to make the world a better place with others and ACT upon what you know to be right.
Start right were you are, right where you stand with what you have available and bless the lives of those around you.
We love your donations and are happy to get them to where they are needed the most, but you can also donate and help locally to strengthen your community.
Bloom where you are planted and spread God’s message of love and hope in your own special way. It may be a smile, a hug or a warm blanket.
In the words of a wonderful Christian leader of men, Spencer W Kimball - “Just Do It!”
With love and gratitude,
Carol Green
President
Relief Share
info@ReliefShare.org
We’ve been busy – more Relief Share donations out for January 2012!
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2012 is going to be a banner year. Relief Share volunteers have rolled up their sleeves, opened their wallets, filled their schedules with charity work and the results of dedicated love for the babies is showing up in a plethora of donations to where it counts the most!
Donation out to Texas County Food Pantry and Crisis Center, January 12, 2012 delivered in person by Relief Share Vice President
1 receiving blanket
3 pair mens pajamas
4 baby bibs
7 baby sleepers
4 coats
4 pants
1 roll masking tape
4 tops
2 baby onesies
1 pr mittens
1 dress
2 pr socks
1 dog bed and pillow
Donation to Newborns in Need, Springfield Chapter (run by a very lovely lady, President Judy McDuffie) Mailed Jan 10, 2012
4 baby afghans
8 baby bibs
5 shirts
10 crocheted children’s soft balls
16 knitted woven children’s soft balls
3 knitted hats
6 crocheted hats
2 pr pants
1 baby sleeper
1 pr baby shoes
1 toddler blue jean jacket
12 preemie hats
1 toy
7 baby onesies
1 baby jacket
Donation to local Church for needy in area.
2 large shelves full of warm adult sweaters – many large garbage size bags full. Thank you to Susan and Phil for delivering those items to where they are needed the most.
Donations to individuals needing items the first two weeks in January 2012:
Baby cocoon for little girl
Baby clothing and accessories for little baby boy
Warm hats to needy family
Sewing supplies for grandmother to make items for grandchildren
Sewing supplies to make items for chemo patients
Toys for needy family
Tutorial to make baby cocoons on the knitting machine – updated!
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Knitting a cocoon on the USM Bond machine
http://tracykm.blogspot.com/2011/02/baby-cocoon.html
Here is a wonderful tutorial on the net for making a baby cocoon on your knitting machine with an updated feature – you can seam the cocoon as you go!
Have fun and enjoy and be sure to tell them we sent you. It’s nice to know when you are appreciated for the hard work in putting up a blog post and the gal that put up that tutorial is very much appreciated.
Gorgeous hand knit cocoons to snuggle new babies – can you help?
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Baby cocoons also make wonderful gifts for 'little mothers'. This is our youngest ReliefShare volunteer helping us with pictures of the latest cocoon we made.
This week has been fun with darling hand knit baby cocoons donated out to sweet new babies. One cotton/acrylic blend solid pink cocoon with a flower was donated out to a darling new little girl. Another cocoon in purple and blue swirl was donated out to a precious little baby soon to be born. Three hand knit stripe cocoons in blue and brown were donated out to the hospital in Gilbert, Arizona for babies born to families in need.
The most urgent needs right now are for baby items - quilts, receiving blankets, knitted baby cocoons, booties, baby afghans and baby clothing. These smallest of God’s children are helpless and have no way of providing essentials for themselves.
Baby cocoons are requested by the hospitals. One hospital, alone, has asked for 300 baby cocoons. We have been able to knit and donate 100 of the baby cocoons for them thus far for them and another hospital just asked for 100 more. Cocoons are a great item to knit while you are on the go or using spare moments during the day as they are done on size 7 – 16″ circular needles and is very quick and easy. For preemie/newborn sizes, cast on 70 stitches and knit for 16″ then decrease. For newborn size cocoons, cast on 80 stitches, knit for 18″ and decrease. The matching hats for the cocoons are done by casting on 60 stitches, knitting for 4″ and decreasing. Here is a link to the pattern http://www.reliefshare.org/
Relief Share could also really use help with making burial layettes. These are very precious layettes that have a burial gown, bonnet, blanket, and memorial item. The sewing on these special layettes need to be paid special attention to as this is the last little gown that baby will be snuggled in before returning home to Heavenly Father. Here is the pattern: http://www.reliefshare.org/
When the Lord touches your heart to help, many times he guides you to what is most important and will bless your life as you create the items needed. Finding joy in service brings many blessings to the giver as well as the receiver.
Carol Green
President
ReliefShare.org
Lots of love hidden inside our woven knitted balls…a fun way to help a little bit more!
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Soft woven knitted balls
One of the items that ReliefShare.org loves to make and donate is our knitted woven balls. These soft fun balls are loved by children and adults alike. Hospitals can use them to help patients who are in rehabilitation from eye surgery, burns or need hand to eye coordination activities to toss and catch the soft knitted ball without getting hurt.
The re-purposed function of the knitted woven balls are that the centers are hollow and you can put things in them without them falling out. We use the plastic containers that the knee high pantihose come in from Wal Mart – we put a jingle bell inside the round plastic containers, permanently glue the small container shut and insert it inside the ball. This makes a baby rattle that moms and babies love. The old folks love to use our balls for their animals to play with, providing hours of entertainment for shut ins.
Relief Share donates to locations all across America, we also donate internationally through other organizations as our combined efforts saves us on shipping and helps them to help others.We like to wind a ball of yarn (you can get whole skeins of yarn wound and fitting inside the balls) and insert them in the balls. When the balls are sent out, particularly to regions of the world who are in short supply of essential materials for necessary goods, the yarn can be taken out and used to knit or crochet mittens, hats, baby layettes, crib blankets, etc and the balls use for play or children, babies and curious adults.
Warning: making the balls is fun and addicting. They are like potato chips, you can’t just eat one. The first one you make will seem frustrating and complicated, but once you get the first one done, they are quick, easy and a pleasure to make. The pattern is free and so are the smiles.
If you would like to help by knitting or crocheting soft balls for the sick and needy, we would love the donations. Use your own pattern or make some like these – the babies and children love soft toys. You’ll have fun and will bless the lives of others as well.
- Carol Green
- President
ReliefShare.org - 6078 Lundy Rd
Houston, MO 65483-2225
How Do I Love Thee, Let Me Count The Ways….re-purposing items for other needs.
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Warn knitted hat - one size fits children and adult
This entry in our Relief Share blog is bringing attention to the needs of those who are dealing with lack. When we think that an item will be used for a specific purpose, those who have not may use it for our intended purposes, but also have the creativity and inventiveness to re-purpose it for other needs.
We were charmed to see what our Relief Share knitted hat wound up being used for by a sweet little girl who innocently showed us that there are different ways to look at and use the same things. Thinking outside the box allowed her to spend happy hours caring for her baby doll in a soft cuddly bunting pod, and when it gets cold, she can immediately pop the baby dolls ‘bed’ on her head for a cute warm hat to protect her head from the chilly weather. I guess you could look at it this way – warm weather, it’s a dolly bed – cold weather, it’s a hat.
Attention to detail makes the hat fit better and look nicer
Cute soft baby doll bed, re-purposed hat by a little girl - smart thinking.
Just a few extra minutes with a crochet hook and adding a button really puts that 'touch of love' message to recipients.
If you would like to donate knitted or crocheted hats to help the sick and needy, feel free to use your own patterns or email us at info@ReliefShare.org for our pattern shown above.
Hugs to you – may your heart always be warm, your tummy full and you be willing to help others when the spirit of God touches you to do so.
Carol Green
President
Relief Share
6078 Lundy Rd
Houston, MO 65483-2225
Relief Share – Knitted baby hat pattern for newborn – free, fun, quick, easy!
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Relief Share – Knitted baby hat pattern for newborn – free, fun, quick, easy!
Baby hats are so easy! All you do is cast on 60 stitches on size 7 circular needles – mine are 16″ circulars and knit for 5 1/2″ to 6″ then decrease.
The decrease is done by knitting the 8th stitches together, then knit the next row then knitting the 7th stitches together, then knit the next row then knitting the 6th stitches together, then knit the next row then knitting the 5th stitches together, then knit the next row then knitting the 4th stitches together, then knit the next row then knitting the 3th stitches together, then knit the next row then knitting the 2th stitches together, then knit the next row then cut the thread long and thread a yarn needle. Run the yarn through the last few stitches and pull tight. Weave in the end. Voila! Done!
Here is a hat I finished last night. Instead of doing the top of the hat in the pattern above, I used the last few stitches to knit an icord and then knotted it. Sometimes I will do an icord loop. These hats are fun, quick and easy to knit and the hospital and homeless shelters love them.
If you knit your hats in purple and donate them, you are honoring the ‘prevent shaken baby syndrome’ effort. This is a serious problem and a simple purple hat can help hospitals work with new parents to stop this growing trend that is hurting little ones.
If you have a picture of a baby hat you did you would like to share – please email your picture to info@reliefshare.org with the pattern and we would be happy to include it on our blog.
All of us working together creates a synergy that blesses the lives of the babies we love so much and bonds us together in friendship and purpose.
If you would love to share some of your yarn stash with the volunteers to knit and crochet baby hats, cocoons, afghans and layettes – please send your donation to Relief Share, 6078 Lundy Rd, Houston, MO 65483-2225.
All donations are tax deductible. Share the love
Hugs
Carol Green
President
ReliefShare.org
Using color in your knitting and crochet projects – varigated colorway and dyeing yarn.
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Cocoon made with Love That Yarn stripe from Hobby Lobby
Experiment with color. Enjoy the process of crafting a remarkable item to share with those less fortunate or sick. You will be doubly blessed as you put your love for your fellowman in action through service and charity.
We make so many items for the hospitals and for the sick and needy that it can get pretty hum drum to use the same yarn and colors over and over. To spice up our charity work and enjoy what we are doing again – we simply add variation and color. We either change up the pattern just a bit to make it slightly different and interesting – adding seed stitch to our knitting or using a variegated yarn instead of solid colors – and the joy in creating comes flowing back in again giving us a renewed love for the projects we are working on.
I ran across a wonderful tutorial on youtube on how to get the most from your variegated yarn. The idea was simple but brilliant. Mike suggests pulling the yarn from opposite ends to get a color reversal to double your benefit from using variegated yarns.
One of our Directors also has a marvelous way to make the most of variegated yarns. Jennifer Sundquist is an experienced knitter and crocheter and owns “The Tiny Panda” business – you can see her facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Tiny-Panda/177250085656698 Her technique for working with variegated yarns is to watch how the colorway interacts with the pattern. When she sees that there is too much of a color being added to the project, she ties off some of that color and omits it from the yarn being used. By doing this simple technique, she can control how much of any color being integrated in the pattern is impacting the final result. This is especially helpful when using your own dyed yarns if the colorway turned out different than what you wanted. Don’t toss it out or put it in the back of your craft room – simply use the tying off technique to get the amount of any given color you are looking for.
Dyeing yarn with koolaid
If you are in a rut with your charity knitting and crochet by being bored with color – make your own! Another way to get the most from variegated yarn is to dye your own yarn. Wool is the best choice of yarn to work with and it can be dyed with koolaide and your microwave. Yes, it does work and the color is permanent. Jennifer has dyed some incredible colorways that are absolutely gorgeous. Using Koolaid to dye yarn to make beautiful colorway (variegated yarn)
Here is a tutorial on the internet on how to dye wool with koolaid: http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall02/FEATdyedwool.html
Yarn dyed with koolaid - simply gorgeous
Some of the wonderful colorways you can purchase in variegated yarns are found at the major chain craft stores. My favorites are:
Hobby Lobby – the store brand of Love That Yarn is always a good choice. You can find two types of variegated yarns in that brand. The ‘stripe’ version of the yarn will give you, yes, you guessed it, stripes – but not just solid stripes. There are pretty accents in the stripes that make your finished items wonderful. The other type of variegated yarn made by Love That Yarn is the ‘ombre’ – the more traditional type of variegated yarn with spotches of color.
Ombre pattern turned in to argyle with just a tension change - how fun!
I discovered, by accident when working on a charity fundraiser cocoon, that the ombre also makes amazing patterns when you least expect it. When making a cocoon, I put extra tension on the yarn and the basic ombre or splotch coloring turned into an argyle pattern. Very beautiful and more complex coloring and completely unexpected and welcome!
Another colorway that I love to use is Caron Simply Soft. In my opinion, that is some of the best yarn to use for baby projects as it is silky and soft and drapes beautifully. I also discovered that Wal Mart has three colorways that just came out a few weeks ago, as Wal Mart is adding all their fabric departments back (yay, Wal Mart – we love you again!) and the colorways are gorgeous. They are not available at any other stores in our Boise, Idaho area yet so I quickly bought up all that I could.
If you have ideas and comments on using color with yarn in your charity or other projects, we would love to hear from you. Our email is info@ReliefShare.org
Carol C Green
President
ReliefShare.org
ReliefShare.org/wordpress
Chow dog dyed to look like Panda
Oh – just a fun aside note: Yarn isn’t the only thing people like to dye. This is a picture of the latest rage from China – people are dyeing their dogs like other animals. Its safe and fun and quite interesting, but that is an entirely different post altogether *smile*
Knitting pattern for cotton dishcloth – works very well
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Cotton knitted dishcloths
These cotton dishcloths are earth friendly and last a lot longer than synthetic mass produced dishcloths – they work better, too. They also save money when you use them instead of paper towels or wipes.
Make some for yourself and extras to donate to the refugee center, homeless shelter or crisis center in your area or send them to us at Relief Share, 6078 Lundy Rd, Houston, MO 65483-2225
Materials: 1 ball of cotton yarn. We like the Peaches and Cream cotton yarn.
Knitting Needles: Size US 7 or 8.
Pattern: Cast on 3 sts.
1st row: Knit.
2nd row: K1. Increase 1 st in next st. Knit to end of row.
Rep last row to 40 – 50 sts. (depending on how big you want the dishcloth.
Next row: K2. K2tog. Knit to end of row.
Rep last row to 3 sts. Cast off.
Note: This pattern makes a darling baby afghan. Use washable acrylic yarn and knit rows until it is as big as you want, then decrease.
Tips for your knitting machine – its more fun when you know the ‘easy’ way!
Posted by: | CommentsWe hope everyone is headed for a wonderful 4th of July. Our Relief Share holidays are always better when we know the sick and needy are taken care of first, so we are knitting up a storm on our Ultimate Sweater Machine today making baby cocoons!
For those of you who have a USM or another type of knitting machine, you know that it’s fun, quick and easy. For those of you considering getting an Ultimate Sweater Machine or one of the variations of it – they are available at JoAnn Fabric (be sure to use a 40% or 50% off coupon when you purchase, coupons are usually on their website).
Here are a few tips to make your knitting a lot easier, professional looking and fun!
Instead of just using the black hem that comes with the USM, do a row of double e-wrap so when you are ready to take your knitting off the machine, you don’t have to crochet it off. This youtube video by Diane Sullivan is very good as she explains slowly and clearly how to do a double e-wrap.
This video shows how to make a cast on rag – very helpful if you are making smaller items, such as the braided ball for children in the hospital.
To make the baby cocoons for the hospital, it is a lot nicer and quicker to use the Kris Krafter garter bars to decrease and make a nice rounded end. We made a couple of types of home made garter bars and they just aren’t effective and quick enough for us, when a donation of the KrisKrafter garter bars arrived, everyone was VERY excited and they are in constant use now. Expensive, but worth every penny (thank you to our sweet angel who donated them to us – we love you for it!)
So what can you make with your Sweater Machine (knitting machine)? Anything you can imagine! Send us your pictures for us to include on our blog
We make baby hats, baby cocoons, afghans, prayer shawls, braided balls, cancer patient hats and much more!
President Carol Green
6078 Lundy Rd
Houston, MO 6483-2225
Braided knitted ball for charity pattern – children love these!
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Braided blue comfort ball
This is a darling knitted ball that is easy to make. Make 2 – keep one for yourself and give the other to charity!
These are hand knitted – here are the instructions from ravelry.com – if you don’t belong, sign up – it’s free and full of wonderful people and patterns.
These balls are called ‘comfort balls’ and the children in hospital, homeless shelters and crisis centers love the soft toys. So do the adults
If you want to make them for your local animal shelter, you can put a jingle bell inside of the ball inside of a plastic container like the clear balls that knee highs from Wal Mart come in. We don’t recommend bells inside of the ones going to children because of the choking hazard.
This is a perfect project for all the scrap yarn you have left over!.
We could really use donations of yarn to help us make these comfort toys. If you would like to share your stash with us, please mail donations to:
Relief Share
6078 Lundy Rd
Houston, MO 65483-2225
All donations are tax deductible, please include your email address so we can thank you
President Carol C Green
info@ReliefShare.org
Relief Share is busy making baby cocoons for the hospital – want to help?
Posted by: | CommentsRelief Share volunteers have been very busy knitting, crocheting, sewing, serging and donating towards our baby cocoon project for the hospital. Lots of questions have been asked and answered so for convenience, we are going to put most of the answers to questions regarding this project in this post for easy accessibility.
Question: What are baby cocoons?
Answer: Baby swaddling items that can be knit, crocheted, tatted, sewn and serged from either new or recycled material. Here is a picture of a baby cocoon in use:
Baby cocoon for swaddling babies
Hand knitting pattern for “THATCHER’S COCOON” – click here.
Machine knitting pattern for the baby cocoon - click here.
Sewing and serging pattern for the baby cocoon – click here.
Crocheted pattern for the baby cocoon – click here.
The general sizes are:
The baby’s weight for the general sizes are:
XXS – 14″ long x 50 stitches wide (6″ across) – 12″ diameter 1.5 to 3 lbs
XS – 16″ long x 60 stitches wide (8″ across) 3 to 5 lbs
S – 18″ long x 70 stitches wide (10″ across) 6 lbs to 8 lbs
M – 20″ long x 80 stitches wide (10″ across) 9 lbs to 11 lbs
L – 23″ long x 80 stitches wide (12″ across) 12 t0 15 lbs
XL – 25″ long x 80 stitches wide (12″ across) 15 to 17 lbs
The hospitals use the XS size the most, the the families we donate to use the S, M and L the most as well as the XL. The XXS are used by the hospital, some of them for infant demise.
Hints and tips for making cocoons have come in from many sources and the ideas volunteers have suggested are wonderful. We’ve been scouring the thrift shops and our own closets for sweaters that are soft and made from yarn that can be washed, taken apart and the yarn used to make the cocoons.
A wonderful thrift shop in Breckenridge Colorado named “For Pets Sake” donated 4 sweaters, we also purchased many of them off their $1 sale rack. Other thrift stores in Boise, Idaho, such as the Deseret Industries yielded beautiful sweaters that we got a lot of yarn from after washing them and taking them apart. We bought a large lot of yarn on craigslist from money donated by caring volunteers to help make baby cocoons, hats, blankets, and layettes. JoAnn Fabrics had a wonderful sale on yarn as well. Use your imagination to come up with sources for materials to make the cocoons from.
Babies love the cocoons and rest peacefully swaddled in them. They are so easy to use, quick and safe, and the hospitals and mother’s love them as well.
If you would love to help with our baby cocoon project, here is what is needed:
1. Volunteers to make the cocoons and send them to
Relief Share,
6078 Lundy Rd,
Houston, MO 65483
2. Donations of yarn, fabric, and sewing, knitting, and crocheting supplies are needed.
3. Funds to purchase supplies and ship the items to where they are needed the most can be sent through paypal to info@reliefshare.org – all donations are tax deductible.
If you have comments, suggestions, ideas or questions, please email us at info@ReliefShare.org – we would love to hear from you. All Relief Share patterns are FREE for charity or personal use.
President Carol Green
info@ReliefShare.org
Knitting tips
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Knitting
If the yarn will not go 4x the length of the knitting laid out flat, it won’t knit to the end of the row – this hint is for machine knitting with the Bond USM machine as well as hand knitting.
When using scraps of wool to knit stripes on socks, sleeves, or both sides of the front, wind the scraps into two more or less equal balls so you’ll know how much you have for each side.
Especially when improvising, knit both sides or fronts at once, using two balls of yarn or both ends of one skein. This makes sure that both are
the same size and pattern, and prevents from knitting two right fronts or two left sleeves if the sleeves aren’t the same on both sides. Use a circular needle if possible, as it takes less space and the stitches don’t fall off as readily.
Wonderful donations in – and out! Baby afghans and hats
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Relief Share has been busy turning donations into items that are needed. Marla P, and her dad, generously donated yarn, polar fleece, sleepers and more from her mother’s craft closet and UFO bins after her sweet mother passed away. We used some of her yarn and yarn from LDS Humanitarian Services to knit up this sweet baby afghan and hat that will be taken to the work meeting and donated Thursday.
Recently we have received pretty quilted fabric from Gina, beautiful crocheted afghans and more from Roberta, baby clothes from Carolyn, baby items from Jennifer, and preemie baby afghans from Michael & Marianne. Laura, Gini and Tamara also donated very much needed items. Thank you so much!
It is lots of fun using all the colorways and different types of yarn to make into fun baby items. The sleepers Marla donated are already out and being used by two sweet babies who needed to be snuggled and warm., as is the baby items that Jennifer donated. Donations come in and go out pretty quickly at Relief Share.
After the afghans are knitted, we wash them in Tide free and clear laundry detergent to make sure they are nice and clean for the little ones who will use it – each afghan has a matching hat for a newborn as well.
The yarn in this afghan was Caron Simply Soft, Red Heart and some other worsted weight yarn in pretty colors.
Look at all the pretty colors!
The interesting thing about this baby afghan was that I worked on it at night and thought I had matched up the greens in the middle of the afghan.
You can clearly see in the picture that the greens don’t match at all. One is a warm green and the other is a cool green. I bet the baby who gets this afghan won’t mind at all
If you have left over yarn from projects, please consider donating them for us to work with to help the children and their families in the hospital, crisis centers, and homeless shelters. We are also working on projects for children in foster homes that we need donated fabric for.
All donations are very much appreciated and acknowledged with a thank you letter and tax receipt.
We accept donations of all kinds, types and sizes and love being creative in using it to the best advantage for those we serve.
Relief Share
706 Hwy 17 N (Box 421)
Houston, MO 65483
Jump right in, the more the merrier! Together, we can give relief through sharing. It’s our love in action
President Carol Green
info@ReliefShare.org
Knitting up a storm! – Baby blankets and hats
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Snuggly baby afghan and hat
It’s been a very busy and fun week at Relief Share.
We’ve been knitting up a storm. Here is our latest set we made for charity. It is a USM bond knitting machine knitted baby afghan and matching hat made with scrumptious donated yarn (thanks so much to the folks who donated the yarn).
The colors are ice-cream, strawberry milkshake, tan and chocolate. This is a snuggly warm afghan and hat that will be given to the sick and needy. The afghan is the full width of the Bond knitting machine carriage with 4 extra inserts to make it wider.
It has a rolled him at the top and bottom and 4 rows of gather stitching down both sides. The stripes are narrower at the top and get wider at the bottom for interest – it looks really pretty and is very soft.
The hat was 40 stitches wide with an e-wrap cast on, knit 40 rows then begin decrease. Decrease every 8 stitches, then knit a row, decrease every 7, then knit a row (6, knit r, 5, knit r, 4, knit r, 3, knit r, 2, knit the last two rows) and with a yarn needle gather the last row and mattress stitch the seam up. This makes a longer hat so it can be pulled down over baby’s ears for warmth or rolled up when baby is newborn and smaller.
Baby hat with rolled brim and swirl decrease
A precious new baby enters the world…..meet Mason!
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Mason at just 3 lbs 2 oz.
Ever wonder “how tiny is tiny” when we are talking about the preemie babies we make things for? A picture speaks a thousand words and this beautiful baby takes our breath away as we see his Daddy’s hand measured up against him. How tiny is tiny? REALLY tiny. Really perfect, really sweet and this little one is no different from thousands of other teeny tiny babies in that he has completely captured our hearts.
In less than one second, eyes are riveted to the picture and hearts committed to helping clothe and snuggle Mason in warm clothing and blankets. That is the power of ‘baby love’ that drives the volunteers at Relief Share.
Thank you to the volunteers who quickly responded to the call to action.
A package went out priority post for Mason filled with all kinds of goodies:
1 preemie afghan
2 crocheted incubator/carriage covers
1 blue outfit
3 preemie tops
4 preemie sleepers
1 preemie jacket
1 preemie snuggler cape
8 washcloths/also used for burp cloths and change pads for preemies
1 baby gown
1 baby bracelet
a number of knitted preemie baby hats
2 teddy bears
1 pair preemie booties
2 baby swaddling cocoons
pkg of 20 preemie disposable diapers
2 to a pk of bottle insulators
There was a lot of love put into this package.
Mason's care box.
The crocheted incubator covers were made by a precious little old lady in a old folks home in Missouri. Her husband travels 2 hours EVERY DAY to go see her and pick up what she has made to donate to us. She loves the preemies and continues to crochet for them on an ongoing basis.
Mason's care box.
I made the cocoons from a gorgeous baby blue sweater (this president loves to roll up her sleeves and participate) donated by the local Food Pantry to help us with supplies through recycling. The soft cocoons will keep Mason snuggly warm and comforted as it is like being back in the womb again.
Mason's care box.
The gown was sewn by a volunteer and has a matching crocheted hat that another volunteer made, they are from West Virginia. The bracelet was made by a third volunteer and the white blanket and booties by another.
Mason's care box.
The preemie clothing is brand new from Wal Mart and bought by yet another volunteer. Everything was donated and worked on with love. Mason has a lot of Relief Share Grannies and Aunties that love him
It is a miracle how all the hands and hearts come together in love to bless the babies and families we serve. No one is paid, we are just happy to help where we can. Now that our care package has gone out to help Mason physically, we will keep him and his family in our prayers He truly is a gift from God.
President Carol Green
info@ReliefShare.org
PS. If you love babies and want to get involved, it’s as easy as 1, 2 3……
Mason's care box.
1. Get a cardboard box
2. Fill it with anything a baby might want or need – either finished or purchased items or sewing, quilting, knitting or crocheting supplies. Items can be new or gently used.
3. Stick a label on it to Relief Share, 6078 Lundy Rd, Houston, MO 65483-2225 and mail it.
Ta da! Done! You are now one of us, a Relief Share donor and volunteer and also counted in God’s book of heavenly acts on earth
Some of the items a baby needs:
sleepers, gowns, onesies, socks, booties, soft shoes, hats, tops, bottoms, diapers (cloth and disposable), burp cloths, diaper bags, swaddlers, cocoons, blankets, afghans, quilts, stuffed animals, crib bedding (sheets, bumper pads, blankets), moses baskets, cribs, swings, activity mats, rattles, bottles, soothers (pacifiers or dummies), bottle liners and nipples, breast feeding items, breast pumps, diaper lotion, baby shampoo, baby oil, baby bath, baby food, formula, shorties, longies, baby slings, baby carriers, car seats (for safely rules they must be new), play pens, baby music CDs, bassinettes, baby brush and comb, baby chair, bath items. Can you think of more?
Mason's care box
Some of the supplies needed:
fabric – all kinds. Minky, chenille, micro fleece, flannel, knit, cotton – think baby!
thread, scissors, pins, quilting rulers, rotary cutters, rotary cutting mat pads, cricut machines and cartridges for quilt appliques, sergers, sewing machines, knitting machines, knitting machine weights, Kris Krafter garter bars for Bond knitting machines, yarn, all kinds, colors and types, elastic, velcro, buttons, zippers, appliques, interfacing, wonder under, knitting needles, crochet needles, tatting shuttles and needles, patterns, pincushions, bias binding, trims, laces, etc.
Clean out your closet for a good cause. Recycle the items you no longer want or need – sweaters and tee shirts become baby cocoons, hats, onesies, gowns and stuffed soft toys. Cut the buttons off of old shirts – they are fun down the front of a sleeper in all colors.
72 baby cocoons delivered to the hospital today.
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Recycle sweaters and tee shirts turned into baby cocoons
After some very busy cutting and serging, 72 cocoons were delivered to the hospital today. It did my heart good to hear the answer to my query from the nurse. I asked her how were the cocoons working out and she said they loved them. Some of the little babies tend to have a problem keeping their heat and the cocoons helped keep them warm and snuggled. She also said it was a lot easier for new Moms to pop their babies in the cocoons to keep them snuggled up instead of trying to keep them swaddled in the blankets.
The cocoons are fun to make – they can be sewn, serged, knitted, crocheted, hand knitted, and machine knitted. If you are really energetic, you could even tat one The patterns are free and offered on our blog. You can also google for free cocoon patterns on the internet and find a ton of them. A great website for free patterns is www.ravelry.com
The cocoons in the picture are made from recycled sweaters and tee shirts, most of them donated from the local food pantry and crisis center. They are 16″ long by 10″ wide.
Here is a quick way to make a pattern. Take a piece of paper that is 16 x 10 (I buy roll ends
Shape of the cocoon
from the newspaper and it gives me lots of pattern paper to work with) and put a dinner plate on one end and trace with a pen. Cut it out so that will make one short end of the pattern rounded. Then cut a wedge on either side of the other end so that the top of the cocoon slopes in towards the baby’s neck.
Extra Long knitted and serged cocoons
Lay the pattern on the sweater so that the top of the cocoon is the bottom of the sweater – this gives you a finished edge at the neck of the cocoon. Serge around the cocoon on 3 sides with your serger. Ta da! Done.
The general sizes are:
XXS – 14″ long x 50 stitches wide (6″ across) – 12″ diameter
XS – 16″ long x 60 stitches wide (8″ across)
S – 18″ long x 70 stitches wide (10″ across)
M – 20″ long x 80 stitches wide (10″ across)
L – 23″ long x 80 stitches wide (12″ across)
XL – 25″ long x 80 stitches wide (12″ across)
I made the extra long cocoons to test and my grandson is doing really well with them. You can pull them up around the baby’s face in cold weather to keep them snuggly warm.
Long rib knit serged cocoon to snuggle baby.
If you are doing these cocoons for your local hospital or birthright center, be sure to ask them what size they want. If you are making them to help us provide the 350 cocoons the hospital has asked for (yes, we love help!), they use the 16″ long by 10″ wide the most. They also use the smaller ones as well.
Our address to send donations to of finished cocoons, knit and tee shirt material, sweaters and tees to cut up to use, thread -sewing machine and serger thread, and other sewing supplies is:
Relief Share
6078 Lundy Rd
Houston, MO 65483-2225
All donations are tax deductible. Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed to this project. We appreciate the donations of sewing machines, sergers, knitting machines and sewing supplies so much. It takes all of us together to make miracles happen.
Carol Green
President
info@ReliefShare.org
Donation of yarn arrived today and tonight a baby cocoon is made!
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Donation of yarn being made into a baby cocoon
Sometimes folks wonder if donations sit around not being used for a while or if they get quickly used to help the sick and needy. Here is what we received today in the mail from Pat S. – a wonderful box of 14 balls of beautiful sport/worsted weight yarn to use for the babies in hospital.
Within a very short time it was being knitted on the knitting machine, donated by a wonderful donor, J W (who wishes to remain anonymous so only initials are used). She has blessed many people with her ongoing donations to Relief Share. Because of her recent donation of garter bars and needle stoppers, the work went even faster and very quickly a baby cocoon was completed.
Completed cocoon
A skilled knitter, Judi Meissner, shared with us how to do the decreases even faster so we could get more cocoons to the hospital sooner.
I am on a marvelous yahoo group, who are more than willing to share hints, tips and welcome advice on how to be more effective in knitting with the Bond knitting machines. The patterns shared are fun and the folks on the list genial and helpful. If you own a ISMor a USM knitting machine by Bond, we highly recommend the yahoogroup for a way to be more productive and enjoy with your knitting machine.
Go here to subscribe: incrediblesweatermachineclub-subscribe@yahoogroups.comincrediblesweatermachineclub@yahoogroups.com
Here is the cocoon being modeled by one of my display baby dolls:
Snuggly cocoon for newborn infants
Newborn baby size cocoon
This cocoon is 9″ wide (18″ circumference) and 20″ long. The size that the hospital needs the most is 8″ wide (16″ circumference) and 18″ long. I was trying to downsize a larger cocoon and didn’t quite downside the pattern enough. Today I will make another cocoon the right size!
These cocoons can be knitted, crocheted, sewn and serged. We make many of them from recycled sweaters and tee shirts. The arms from the sweaters can be used to make baby pants and matching hats.
Our recycled sweaters are donated from the local food pantry and crisis center, then donated to the local hospital. The TCMH hospital needs 350 cocoons – so far we have donated 15, and made another 6 for the crisis center.
Would you like to help? We need yarn donated – worsted weight or sport weight is best but we use all types and weights of yarn as we make baby blankets as well. We also need knitters, crocheters and seamstresses to help by making and sending the cocoons to us to take to the hospital.
Our address to send donations to is:
Relief Share
6078 Lundy Rd
Houston, MO 65483-2225
All donations are acknowledged with a thank you letter/tax deductible receipt. We are a 501 ( c) 3 non profit registered with the IRS. The patterns for the cocoons are free and found on this blog. We love sharing volunteer and donor patterns as well. If you have a pattern you would like to share with others for the cocoons, or for any baby item, we will be happy to include it on our blog.
Relief Share is staffed by all volunteers, no one is paid and no administration fees are taken out of donations – everything and every penny goes directly to help the sick and needy.
President Carol C Green
info@ReliefShare.org
Cocoon pattern for Bond (ISM) Knitting machine
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Finished cocoon in use.
It takes approx 5 hours non stop to make a cocoon on the knitting machine. The main body of the cocoon goes very quickly. Pull out 80 needles – 40 on each side of center. Hang your weighted hem with the elastic thread. Knit with worsted weight and plate 3. (This is what I use but you can make the cocoon out of whatever you want).
Knit for 20″.
Next row:
Decrease every 8th stitch. Knit the row and the next.
Decrease ever 7th stitch. Knit the row and the next.
Decrease every 6th stitch. Knit the row and the next.
Cocoon being knitted on the machine
Decrease ever 5th stitch. Knit the row and the next.
Decrease every 4th stitch. Knit the row and the next.
Decrease ever 3th stitch. Knit the row and the next.
Decrease every 2th stitch. Knit the row and the next.
With a darning needle threaded with the same yarn, run the thread through each one of the stitches left on the needles. Take the knitting off the machine and pull the stitches up tight into a circle.
Seam up the side of the cocoon with a darning needle and same thread to make a tube – one end is open and the other a gathered rounded end. It looks like a bean hat, just long. I use a mattress stitch for an invisible seam. Make sure all ends are threaded in and trimmed off. Fini
350 baby cocoons for the hospital are needed!
Posted by: | CommentsWe were delighted to receive a donation of an Incredible Sweater Machine for our volunteers to knit on. Thank you so much to the generous donor, we are so grateful as we would never be able to get all the cocoons done if they had to be knitted by hand.
The hospital needs 350 cocoons for their babies and the machine will be a huge help in getting the donations made and out to the hospital in time to snuggle the babies in this cold weather. The cocoons also aid in keeping the babies calm and comfortable so they spend their energy on healing and growing instead of trying to stay warm and peaceful.
We just made the very first cocoon on the knitting machine that arrived yesterday. Here it is!
Baby Cocoon
Baby Cocoon - knitted by machine.
Baby Cocoon
Baby Cocoon
These cocoons can be hand knitted or machine knitted.
Thatcher’s Cocoon (knitted version)
With circular needle or dpn’s, cast on 80 sts (I love using a long tail cast on.
Tutorial for it can be found at www.knittinghelp.com)
Join in round, placing a stitch marker on first stitch to mark beginning of round.
Knit for approximately 18 inches then begin decreasing.
Row 1. Knit 8, knit 2 together (repeat to end of row. Row should end with last 2 sts
knit together).
Row 2. Knit all sts.
Row 3. Knit 7, knit 2 together (repeat to end of row. Row should end with last 2 sts
knit together).
Row 4. Knit all sts.
Row 5. Knit 6, knit 2 together (repeat to end of row. Row should end with last 2 sts
knit together).
Row 6. Knit all sts.
Row 7. Knit 5, knit 2 together (repeat to end of row. Row should end with last 2 sts
knit together).
Row 8. Knit all sts.
Continue in this manner until only 8 stitches remain. Cut or break yarn leaving a long
tail to thread through the remaining 8 stitches. Tighten the bottom and secure yarn by
weaving it up into the inside of the bag a bit until you feel it is secure and won’t come out.
Weave in any ends ( if you choose to do stripes you will have lots of them) and ta-da! All done:)
This size will fit most full term nb’s. Increase or decrease amount of stitches to size up or down.
My gauge for this is 4.5-5 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch with size 7 needles using
worsted weight yarn.
If you would like to help by making knitted cocoons and donating to Relief Share for us to take to the hospital, we would love it. Our address is Relief Share, 6078 Lundy Rd, Houston, MO 65483-2225. Be sure to include your name and address so we can send you a thank you letter and tax deductible donation slip.
Well, the first one is made. Only 349 to go! It took us just over a year to make and donated handmade twin size quilts for Shriners Childrens Hospital in St Louis. I wonder how long it’s going to take to make and donate all the cocoons needed. A lot less with YOUR help
President Carol Green
info@ReliefShare.org
Knitting for baby – Cocoons.
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Knitted cocoon
One of the items we love to make for the babies is a swaddling cocoon. Baby stays warm, cuddly and snuggled happily without mother having to constantly re-adjust the receiving blanket.
The cocoons are simple to make.
Thatcher’s Cocoon (knitted version) by Jennifer Sundquist.
With circular needle or dpn’s, cast on 80 sts (I love using a long tail cast on.)
Tutorial for it can be found at www.knittinghelp.com)
Join in round, placing a stitch marker on first stitch to mark beginning of round.
Knit for approximately 18 inches then begin decreasing.
Row 1. Knit 8, knit 2 together (repeat to end of row. Row should end with last 2 sts
knit together).
Row 2. Knit all sts.
Row 3. Knit 7, knit 2 together (repeat to end of row. Row should end with last 2 sts
knit together).
Row 4. Knit all sts.
Row 5. Knit 6, knit 2 together (repeat to end of row. Row should end with last 2 sts
knit together).
Row 6. Knit all sts.
Row 7. Knit 5, knit 2 together (repeat to end of row. Row should end with last 2 sts
knit together).
Row 8. Knit all sts.
Continue in this manner, switching to double pointed needle (DPN when it gets too small for the circular needles, until only 8 stitches remain. Cut or break yarn leaving a long
tail to thread through the remaining 8 stitches. Tighten the bottom and secure yarn by
weaving it up into the inside of the bag a bit until you feel it is secure and won’t come out.
Weave in any ends ( if you choose to do stripes you will have lots of them) and ta-da! All done:)
This size will fit most full term nb’s. Increase or decrease amount of stitches to size up or down.
My gauge for this is 4.5-5 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch with size 7 needles using
worsted weight yarn.
Disclaimer: Please always supervise your infant while using the cocoon. We are not responsible for anything that may result from misuse of any cocoons made from this pattern!
The nurses just love them. They are so simple that even a beginner knitter can do them. If you would like to make some and donate them, please send the finished cocoons to: Relief Share, 6078 Lundy Rd, Houston, MO 65483-2225. We will be happy to send a thank you letter and tax deductible receipt for your donation.
Busy fun FUNDRAISER! Donations in and out – the flow and ebb of love!
Posted by: | CommentsWe are now in our third week of sales for our fundraiser for Relief Share. Instead of having folks come inside our building, we took it to the parking lot in our mall. It’s been very busy as we set everything up like a garage sale to attract people and have a HUGE room all set up inside with tables and everything is just one dollar! The room was donated by a wonderful gentleman who owns the mall so we have a place to haul things in quickly when the rain shows up and to put things in for the duration of the fundraiser & business inventory liquidation sale at night so everything doesn’t need to be dragged around the end of the building.
Outside we have items that are half the original prices and sales from GrandmothersAttic.net, a store located in the same mall, are also being donated to Relief Share to help. We are hoping to have enough money from the fundraising to be able to purchase the material needed for the hospital gowns for Shriners, the x-ray shorts, and the twin size quilts for the patient’s beds. We also have many other projects we need supplies for – mama pads, diaper bags, diaper covers, bibs, clothing and quilts for sick and needy families.
Relief Share is blessed to have the Lucky Dollar Store down the road in Licking who has fabric at very reasonable prices and gives us a discount because it’s for charity. Now that our local Wal Mart no longer carries fabrics (don’t get us started on that…), we are grateful for the Lucky Dollar Store and Mel Porter – the owner.
A huge thank you to Ashley Green who has set up, taken down and spend the entire time monitoring and running the sales. She has been sunburned, tired, sore from dragging heavy items in and out of buildings and pressed into service more than she could ever imagine. What started out as a weekend sale has now turned into three weeks. She needs a medal and we are most grateful to her. A thank you to all the wonderful people who donated their time and effort helping.
Today 100 baby hats were donated out to Tennessee for the babies there. We pray none of them suffered from the recent flooding that has caused so much problems in that state. We also donated out preemie clothing to a little baby born to soon and only lived long enough for momma to say goodbye. A tiny baby doll was donated to baby’s older brother so he would have something to remember her by. A large donation went out to an expectant abandoned mother for her little one. Donations of household items to needy folks were given out and baby blankets and clothing were given out to a young family in need. Yarn donations have gone out to volunteers who are knitting and crocheting for the sick and needy in their area – those donations were possible from a large donation of cone yarn from a shop that shut down. Beautiful tiny baby blankets with gorgeous hand crocheted edges done by a very special volunteer were donated to the local hospital – thank you Roberta – your work is lovely and the hospital so appreciative.
Recent donations in – supplies, children’s clothing and more & Donations out
Posted by: | CommentsRelief Share has been very blessed with donations to help the sick and/or needy families we serve. Donations of baby and toddler clothing, shoes, diaper bags, quilts, blankets, sheets, and toys came in and very quickly were donated out to where they were needed the most.
A generous donation of books from Alma Mooney of Licking was received as a fundraiser to raise money needed to purchase flannel for the backing of the Relief Share Quilts for Kids project.
Donations out include helping a family with a young child and another on the way with nursing pillow covers, household goods, food, baby clothing and bedding, essential supplies, toys, and other needed items. Newborns in Need Ozarks Chapter was the recipient of a large donation of cone yarn, baby clothing, bedding, fabric and diaper bags.
Donations of clothing to area residents in need of warmer seasonal clothing and food was also given out.
Wonder what you can help with? Here is a handy urgent needs list that you can print out and take with you when you do your shopping. Just get one or two extra items and send them to:
Relief Share
6078 Lundy Rd
Houston, MO 65483-2225
All donations are tax deductible.
Urgent Needs List:
Basic food item suggestions – Sugar, flour, salt, pepper, oil, cereal, tinned food such as beans, vegetables, fruit, soup, etc. Baby food, formula, crackers, tuna, etc. Many of the families we serve are very grateful for the food given them. A package of animal crackers, macaroni and cheese or juice boxes can make the world of difference to a hungry child. A Wal Mart gift card is also a great donation item as volunteers in our Relief Share office are happy to take the list of what is needed and purchase food and personal items, like toilet paper and shampoo and deliver it to the needy family – this also saves on shipping cost to us.
Clothing – clean gently used clothing or new. Socks, pants, tops, coats, shoes, undergarments, hats, mittens, etc. Accessories like purses or wallets, belts and backpacks are very gratefully accepted by recipients.
Bedding – home made, clean gently used or new. sheets, blankets, baby blankets, receiving blankets, pillows, pillow cases, crib sets, afghans.
Personal hygiene items – shampoo, conditioner, soap, razors, deodorant, moisturizer, lotion, wet wipes, baby oil, baby diaper cream, baby powder, etc.
Books, toys, movies, games, and furniture is also welcome. Christmas is coming and many of the families we care for have little or nothing for the holiday. Full size filled stockings are a huge blessing at the Christmas season. We donate the stockings, when available, to foster homes, hospitals, medical centers, crisis centers, homeless shelters and area churches who care for the sick and needy. A doll or book can make a wonderful difference in a little one’s holiday season. A mother struggling to care for her family with no partner for support is grateful for a soft warm scarf from a donor to show her someone cares for her.
You can make Christmas brighter and more blessed by showing your love to a stranger who has need of your care.
Here are some ideas for you to consider making items to donate:
Sewing – quilts, baby clothing, bedding, blankets, tote bags, diaper bags, toys, dresses, diapers
Quilting – baby quilts, twin size quilts, toys, Christmas ornaments, tree skirts, wall hangings, totes
Knitting – hats, sweaters, mittens, socks, pants, tops, blankets, afghans, toys
Crochet – afghans, blankets, hats, dish cloths, toys, clothing, sweaters, mittens
Tat – handkerchiefs, bonnets, doilies , lace trim for baby gowns
Embroider – blankets, hats, clothing, toys
If you have questions or would like to talk with representatives from Relief Share – please feel free to email info@ReliefShare.org or call 417-967-3340 and ask for Stephanie or Carol. Please note: all Relief Share workers are volunteers – no one is paid – this is a work of the heart in Christ’s name giving relief through sharing to God’s children. We are his hands and feet showing mercy to the less fortunate – join us and make a difference today.