Angel Ted project for Yorkhill Hospital. Calling all knitters. Can you help us?

[KnottyAndPistey]

We were very pleased Yorkhill came to us for help with this project. It is certainly a sad one, and yet this is something very positive we can do to help families at this time.

The idea is to make two identical teddies for babies who pass away in Yorkhill's Special Care Baby Unit. The family can then give an Angel Ted to their baby and keep an identical one in their very precious keepsake box provided by the hospital.

Apologies to the hookers, at the moment we only have a pattern for Team Knit, but we will see if there is a crochet pattern to fit their requirements. Yorkhill ask that teddies are made in white or soft pastel shades of pink and blue to match the blankets and pillow sets that also go into the boxes.

Please use either
3ply wool with 2.5mm needles (14s)
4ply wool with 2.00mm needles (12s)

Construction
The pattern is on our website, see here...

Very kindly Ruby trialled this pattern and made the matching pair pictured. She used Sirdar snuggly 4ply and size 2mm needles. Huge thanks to her

If you prefer you can send teddies unstuffed and minus ribbons. We can do that, but PLEASE still sew up, just leave a hole and a long piece of wool to finish sewing after stuffing.

If you would like to join in but costs are prohibitive, please message us and we will try to help you. Equally if you aren't able to craft but would like to contribute we will happily accept donations to fund others.

Please PM us for posting information. The hope is to send the first Angel Teds with the next collection of Little Hugs, so last posting for that batch is to be FRIDAY 28th MARCH 2014. Thank you.

Heartfelt thanks to all for your support.

The bit in bold to go Purple ?

Morning

Yes - that's it! Although, I must confess to trying 14 rows instead of 10 for the arms as 10 looks a bit skinny! If you are editing the pattern online, you should probably ditch the word "next" two lines down from that:

Knit 26 rows then knit 20 rows on first next 10 sts and cast those off.

Cast on 10 sts and knit 20 rows. Leave on needle.

Cast on another 10 sts and knit 20 rows.

Knit 26 rows across the two legs, and then cast on 12 sts in the next 2 rows.

Knit 10 rows, cast off 12sts at the beginning of next 2 rows, and then knit 46 rows.

Cast on 12sts in next 2 rows, knit 10 rows.

Cast off 12 sts at the beginning of next 2 rows.

Knit 26 rows then knit 20 rows on first 10 sts and cast those off.
Join yarn to remaining 10sts.

Knit 20 rows on remaining 10 sts.

Cast off.

Sew the front and the back of the ted together and stuff firmly.

Sew across corner of head to form ears.

Embroider face and tie a bow round the bear's neck.

Like that?

Yes - I reckon so! (But maybe you should get a second opinion.)

I agree with Purple and ignored the second knit 10 rows as I thought it was a typo. It would have given the bear an Arnold Schwarzenegger set of biceps!

He turned out quite well after a little light stuffing and all he needs now is a friend.

Ah - your arms look in proportion to your legs. Well at least your Ted's do! Maybe my tension is tighter? There was no tension given on the pattern.

Aww what a lovely looking Ted hoggy

Nothing is in proportion with my arms and legs Purple.

I usually knit a bit tight too - this finished bear is just over 6 inches (3ply yarn, size 12 needles)

I didn't pack the stuffing in but it filled him out nicely. He started off looking a bit square but ended up ok. DD asked if it was a bear wearing a spacesuit with no helmet on before he was stuffed (vivid imagination).

Yes, he's lovely! What bit did you leave open to stuff it, Hoggy ? As usual I will be trying to sew it up completely with existing tails.

I left a gap below one arm down the size to stuff, Purple.

I was afraid you were going to say that. I was wondering if I could get away with the gap between the legs...

By the way I am knitting with 4ply (tightly) on size 13s as I couldn't find any 14s last night. I do tend to knit quite tightly anyway. I think I might have some size 14 dpns, though, which might be easier to use for the next pair of Teds - still knitted flat. I will have to empty my carrier bag of needles and have a proper look.

Is blue or pink ok? Or is it just in white?
I have blue here in work so might try with the knitting group later (who decided to put me in charge when I am a confirmed hooker I don't know!).

Fabulous Ted, Hoggy

Piggy, white, pale blue or pale pink.

I forgot to say, thank you very much for organising this so that I can declutter the thinner end of my stash!

:)

Just remembered I am meant to be running to the Post Office!!

I made it in case anyone was worrying

:)

Will update the website pattern when home. Currently on phone. Lovely Ted, Hoggy X

Ok half a pale blue ted done today with my knitting group. Messed up the arms though so I've to frog the head back and go again. Not bad for a new knitter though, and more interesting than squares ??

Pig, sounds fabulous....apart from the flogging bit (all been there)

Flogging? Um. No.

Blumming kindle

have to agree with purple, the 12 and 14 needle sizes are not UK equivalent to 2mm and 2.5mm, so if you're redoing the pattern, you may want to remove that bit too

Have taken that bit off the website page too!!

Good news from Yorkhill, they are very open to crocheted teds, seemed touched that we were trying to do this. They just need a photo to show the woman organising in their NICU. Hopefully then at some point next week we can launch the crochet Angel Ted with our fabulous Team Hooker.

Have t flogged myself over it too much
Will try to do these two knitted teds and when the crochet gets the go ahead go with that. I'm not cut out for two needles at all