350 baby cocoons for the hospital are needed!
ByWe 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
9 Comments
April 14th, 2011 at 11:43 PM
[...] Hand knitting pattern for “THATCHER’S COCOON” – click here. [...]
June 19th, 2011 at 1:31 PM
I was wondering if the yarn was chunky or worsted and maybe size U.S.6 needle (circular)
June 19th, 2011 at 8:24 PM
I have been knitting for many years for STEP (St. Louis Park Emergency Program) – children’s sweaters, caps, scarves, mittens, etc. – and lap robes for a local nursing home. I welcome another
outlet for my knitting. I will be sending you a box soon.
June 20th, 2011 at 11:53 AM
Bless your heart, Ruth, we certainly are very grateful for donations to help the sick and needy we care for. Big hugs, Carol
June 20th, 2011 at 12:03 PM
You can use any yarn you like, but I prefer worsted weight on size 7 circular needles that are 16″ long (that way I don’t have to keep pushing the cocoon so far around the longer circs). It makes for pretty, easy to make cocoons
I have seen them made with yarn as small as baby fingering for a lovely soft drapey cocoon, but they take twice as long to make and aren’t as warm – perhaps for summer they are better out of the softer weight. My favorite yarn is the Caron Simply Soft or the Love That Yarn from Hobby Lobby.
Hugs
Carol
July 27th, 2011 at 10:39 AM
Cocoons can also be made on a circular loom, knifty knitter. On the bottom you can close like a hat, or cast off the loom and thread a ribbon, or yarn so the mother com open and close the cocoon easily to change diapers.
Relief Share mod note: Please use two strands of yarn when using a knifty knitter or the finished item is too loopy and loose. Little fingers get caught in the strands if the cocoon is not stable enough. The hospitals we donate don’t want the bottom to open as a mother may accidentally catch the ribbon on the bottom and open the cocoon causing the baby to fall out.
July 29th, 2011 at 1:01 PM
Super idea Katia, thanks for suggesting it. At the work meeting yesterday there were a lot of lovely volunteers using the circular looms to make hats for children and cancer patients. A cocoon is the same pattern as a hat, just longer. Hugs, Carol Green, RS President.
March 31st, 2012 at 6:33 PM
I am making a cocoon according to your pattern, using Simply soft and size 7 ndls. How many sts do I need for casting on for a matching hat? and how long/deep does it need to be? I hope to finish the cocoon by next week. Should I mail it to you, or to my local hospital?
I think this is a wonderful way to help others, and to use up my stash yarn. (The one I am making is stripes)
blessings,
Ruth
April 1st, 2012 at 11:35 PM
Hi Ruth
So glad you are making a cocoon and hat to help the sick and needy babies we serve. The newborn hat is 60 stitches, knit for 4 1/2″ and decrease. The 0-3 months hat is 70 stitches and knit for 5 to 5 1/2″ and decrease. Preemie hats are 50 stitches and knit for 4″ and decrease.
Our address to ship donations to is:
Relief Share, 6200 N River Pointe Dr C208, Boise, Idaho 83714
also
Relief Share, 6078 Lundy Rd, Houston, MO 65483-2225
Happy Knitting
President Carol Green
info@ReliefShare.org