Northeast US Oddball Baby Blankets

[gmmarton]

Hi Northeast Knitters!
You are such a giving, wonderful group
Our knitters include (in the order you came on board):
gmmarton
onb4050
kellee0302
threesmom
LilHuskiesFootBallMom
sarahbean
lisa1216
SteveDallas

It is a great testament to all of you that the nine of us have managed to commit to eight blankets already - and we haven't even started yet!

Which is why I am a bit reluctant to post this, but it is such exciting news that I wanted to share it with all of you

This may be premature but the Special Delivery Unit at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia would love to be the recipient of any preemie blankets that we make. For those not familiar, this is a brand new, first-of-its-kind center specifically built in to allow women carrying babies with congenital heart disease or other serious congenital malformations, as well as women whose babies undergo surgery before they are even born! They are doing amazing, life-saving work. More information is available here: http://www.chop.edu/consumer/jsp/div...c.jsp?id=85487 (sorry, don't know how to make pretty links )

My main concern is overloading our small, but supremely dedicated group, but I did not want to pass up this great opportunity. What do you all think about doing preemie blankets, too?

I'll do my best to recruit more knitters especially for this project from our region through postings on Knitters Knear You and relevant groups on Ravelry.

One other really cool thing is that they asked if we could help them find local knitters who could teach some of their patients to knit. They get the occasional patient who is on prolonged bedrest, either after fetal surgery or because of premature labor. They do have a nurse/midwife who knits, and I'm usually around, but they might need more folks willing to show someone how to knit from time to time. They'll get the supplies. Any South Jersey/SE PA knitters interested?

Sorry for the long post. What does the group think? As long as we can get more knitters, are we willing to add preemie blankets?

Thanks!

Spikey,

I think the contact you made warrants our attention and support. This is an ideal opportunity for us to "step up to the plate" and do our best to make some Preemie Blankets for those in need. I'm in!!

[Shandeh]

Wonderful work, everyone!

[onb4050]

I'm up for the preemie blankets but I'm just a little concerned because I have pets - cats and dogs and even though I can knit where they aren't, there is always pet hair somewhere in my house!! Are the blankets washed before being donated?

[Spikey]

Spikey,

I think the contact you made warrants our attention and support. This is an ideal opportunity for us to "step up to the plate" and do our best to make some Preemie Blankets for those in need. I'm in!!

Thanks so much! We'll work to get lots of help, and we'll make only as many as we can reasonably manage.

Wonderful work, everyone!

Thanks!

I'm up for the preemie blankets but I'm just a little concerned because I have pets - cats and dogs and even though I can knit where they aren't, there is always pet hair somewhere in my house!! Are the blankets washed before being donated?

Thanks for your willingness to help! I have cats, too, so I know how you feel. I will wash all of these blankets in baby laundry detergent before I take them in.

[sarahbean]

i'm sure i could help and it is good that you are washing them!

[kellee0302]

I will help out with the preemie blankets too.

[threesmom]

I'll help out with preemie blankets too, and I posted in the local thread - I'd love to help out teaching some moms to knit. It got me through all my post-baby-ness. And I was lucky to have normal births, and only had to deal with the emotional mess. As long as it is something I can schedule, I'm all for it.

[Spikey]

Thanks for the fabulous response!

We've already got seven knitters willing to work on preemie blankets, and it hasn't even been 24 hours since I posted! You guys are awesome!

Here are our preemie knitters so far:
Spikey
gmmarton
onb4050
sarahbean
kellee0302
bobi1218 (from Ravelry!)
threesmom

Also, we may have a crocheter from Ravelry who wants to make blankets for our cause.

Instructions can be find on Shandeh's sticky at the top of thread, and will be included in with each blanket, just like our worsted weight blankets.

What should we call our first preemie blanket?????

[Lisa1216]

I can also help on the preemie blankets!

[LilHuskiesFootBallMom]

i can do preemie blankets. I've already started the Autumn in New England one too...

Do they accept quilts as well? I've become addicted to quilting...