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Fancy knitting a blanket (or even a bit of one!) to give to women and children escaping domestic violence?

11 replies

KateMumsnet · 06/10/2011 19:21

Refuge (the domestic violence charity) recently launched their Comfort Blanket Campaign. The idea is to bring a bit of comfort and warmth to the women and children staying in their network of refuges across the UK, lots of whom arrive with only the clothes that they're standing up in.

They wonder if any crafty MNers could help them out by knitting one or more 6" squares, which can be sewn together to create larger blankets for the families who access Refuge's services.

It doesn't matter if you're an absolute beginner, an old hand, or even a whole knitting group - all contributions will be very welcome. Feel free to make up your own design, or use one of the 26 fab patterns that Refuge's campaign partners Simply Knitting and The Knitter magazines have designed. You can grab them here in return for a small donation to Refuge.

If you're a ferociously fast knitter (or you get together with other MNers) and can rustle up a whole blanket, send it directly to Refuge's offices at 4th Floor, International House, 1 St Katharine's Way, London E1W 1UN.

But if you're just starting out or pressed for time, don't worry - the (very) lovely people at Simply Knitting have kindly agreed to stitch your individual squares into whole blankets, if you send them in to their own offices at Simply Knitting, Units 1 & 2 Cotterell Court, Monmouth Place, Bath BA1 2NP.

Happy knitting! If you decide to help out, do post here to let us know how you get on.

KateMumsnet · 06/10/2011 20:59

Hello

How lovely to hear that things like this do make a difference, TimeForMeIsFree.
Purplewerepidj - I'll ask Refuge about crochet pieces and let you know asap.

love,
MNHQ

KateMumsnet · 06/10/2011 22:14

LackaDAISYcal, I think they must be letting us off the deadline - I'll check with Refuge to be sure. V glad you're feeling a bit better.

MNHQ

KateMumsnet · 07/10/2011 10:32

Right, had a quick chat with Refuge:

LackaDAISYcal, the deadline is Christmas so loooads of time.
Purplewerepidj - yes, they're happy to have crochet pieces, hurray!

Good luck everyone.

MNHQ x

KateMumsnet · 07/10/2011 10:34

Arfur, I'm afraid I'm a dismal failure at knitting so have no idea - think it may depend on how 'tight' your tension is ... With luck someone who knows what they're talking about will be along shortly!

KateMumsnet · 07/10/2011 10:58

Sorry CMOTdibbler, missed yours earlier. Yes, sewn quilts would be absolutely lovely - though they'd need to be complete quilts rather than blankets, if that's okay?

KateMumsnet · 07/10/2011 15:32

Hello again - here are the instructions from the Simply Knitting/Refuge page

HOW TO HELP

  1. Knit blanket squares with your knitting group, family or friends. The squares should measure 6x6in (15x15cm) and be knitted in DK yarn. Feel free to design your own squares and mix in plain squares.
  1. Take your beautiful squares and sew together into a Comfort Blanket, six squares long by five squares wide for a child?s blanket, or nine squares long by seven squares wide for an adult?s blanket.

RowanMumsnet · 29/10/2011 10:29

Aw, thanks you lot for keeping this going.

MNHQ x

RowanMumsnet · 29/10/2011 16:07

Hello hello

I have not a scooby I'm afraid, but I will get on to Refuge to ask and post here when they get back to me. Thanks to Knotty for the heads-up.

MNHQ x

RowanMumsnet · 29/10/2011 16:22

@ShakeThyGoryKnottyLocks

Btw, can you knit or crochet? Smile

I'm afraid not. Despite my grandmother's best efforts. (Is this a test?)

RowanMumsnet · 29/10/2011 17:35

I've wondered that myself herecomesthesun - and for various other things as well that I otherwise give to charity shops. I will see if I can get an answer.

MNHQ x

RowanMumsnet · 01/11/2011 12:59

Hello all

The women at Refuge say: completed blankets are being accepted right up until Christmas, so you can send them up until the last minute. For individual squares, Simply Knitting have set a deadline of December 1.

For donating items directly to local refuges, they suggest contacting local domestic violence services directly (I see lillypie has also suggested contacting Women's Aid).

Refuge have also just launched a Christmas gift list for people in their refuges; go to the John Lewis gift list site and search for gift list number 478985 if you'd like to take part.

Thanks again,
MNHQ x

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