Let's get knitting again...

It time to get your needles out again. If you remember I posted back in June about The Big Derby Knit and their plight to hit a target of 200 scarves to donate to a homeless charity in Derby. Here is the original post
knitting-for-charity.html and I'm glad to say they managed not only to hit the target but received many more than expected so not only was it a successful project it was a lot of fun too. 

Well they are at it again with project number 2. This time they are asking everyone to knit twiddle blankets and twiddle muffs for people with Dementia, Alzheimers and those who may be recovering from a stroke. We also think that these blankets would be good for people with Autism too. Basically you knit a lap size blanket and attach different sensory items such as velcro, zips, ribbons, and you can even attach a pocket to hold a photograph in. You can leave flat as a blanket or sew together to form a cylinder to allow people to put there hands inside. 

I have started one blanket to just experiment a bit and knitted with size 9 needles and a super chunky wool, I cast on 50 stitches and just knitted until it reached a nice lap size. I used 3 x 100g balls so thats gives you an idea. I've yet to sew on my bits and bobs but I'm enjoying just messing around and trying different wools. You could crochet too so come on get those needles and hooks a clicking! They need another 200 again. If you would like more information and take a look at some patterns for this project there is a Facebook page at:
www.facebook.com/BigDerbyKnit/

It just feels nice to take part and feel as though I'm helping in some way. These items are proved to have helped patients with Dementia so together we can all help some special people get some well deserved therapy and comfort. I have to be honest I had never seen these before and when I did see what the girls at The Big Derby Knit had planned I instantly wondered whether the blankets would also be good for someone on the Autism Spectrum.

As we know some people with Autism are very tactile and this maybe something they could use at school or in the home. I know my son will always touch, stroke and smell things and I'm actually going to make him one just to see if he likes it. You can personalise them to suit the person so my son's will probably have something to do with trains on there somewhere. With a thick wool it would become slightly weighted as well and a lot of people also like this as comfort. It's worth a try anyway. If you do use one already and it is successful please let me know, I'd be really interested in your views and what you think.

Don't forget knitting is very therapeutic to do. It is relaxing, can reduce your blood pressure and stress so what's to stop you now. You don't have to knit any fancy stitches, just keep it simple unless you want to be creative and push yourself a little. It's a great project for anyone, from beginners to those more experienced, you are in charge of your own little creation so good luck and I'm sure I'll post again to update how the whole thing is going on.

For now though thank you for reading, come back tomorrow for my Verse for Thursday that's if I haven't been blown away by Storm Aileen which I believe is on it's way overnight. 

​Take care everyone and stay safe........