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Wednesday 6 April 2011

work in progress wednesday




so today i want to share a really special project i have been working on: a baby blanket.  i am almost a qualified midwife, and for the most part my job is amazing, however i also support families during very painful times such as bereavement.  

The UK charity, Sands supports families who have been affected by the death of a baby and one such example is a memory box which is given to families at such a painful time.  in this memory box are several items including hand knitted baby blankets.  having been personally involved in the care of families who have had the heartbreaking experience i spent a long time speaking with a midwife at the hospital i am training at about the memory boxes and in particular the blankets, and  she explained that they are all made and donated by volunteers and are a much needed commodity.  she also told me that sadly the blankets are in very short supply, which is a shame as parents that have received the memory boxes have told the charity these blankets provided them with tangible comfort at such a difficult time.

being a knitter i decided to help and  i found a pattern for these blankets and started to make one, my progress hasn't been fast, however  i also told a few people i know who are knitters about the project,  including my mum who were really moved by the idea and they also volunteered to make a few.  my mum is amazing and has made seven - she is a whizz compared to me, and they have all been very gratefully received by the hospital.  it is something so simple yet so personal to the family.  i apologise if this post has upset anyone as the death of a baby is a very painful experience. 

if you feel like you would like to help your local hospital or sands  the pattern is availble for free here and if you are a member of ravelry you can find the pattern here there is also a thread about the appeal on ravelry.




9 comments :

  1. What a lovely idea and you are making a great job of your shawl
    Alison xx

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  2. That's a really nice idea for such a good cause :)

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  3. Congrats on becoming a midwife. My sister is having a baby in May. That is very generous of you to make these blankets. I haven't learned how to knit myself, I'm jealous of your talent!!! xoxo

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  4. Aww! Such a gr8 cause! Ur knittings fab!

    {I said Lilo and Stitch wud make a gr8 couple ;) }

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  5. That is such a lovely idea for a great cause!

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  6. What a beautiful blanket and what an amazing cause. I had two different friends who each lost twins when they were close to delivery. It is unbelievably sad, but I think the memory box is a wonderful gesture.

    Congrats on becoming a midwife. When my little sis had my nephew, her midwife was amazing. My daughter's doctor was a troll. I wish she could have experienced delivery with a midwife too.

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  7. This sounds like a wonderful idea. I've worked with bereaved families making memory albums....and they always say how much it has helped them.

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  8. What you show here is beautiful and will obviously be a comfort to others. Marvelous work you're doing!

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  9. thank you all so much for your encouraging comments, i was so nervous about putting this 'out there'

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