Who could use knitted blankets?

psso

Hi, I do a fair bit of knitting for charity along with others on the MSE Knit your square to give your share thread.
In 2010 we are `going back to our roots` and knitting squares with the intention of providing blankets for people who need them. Recently most our donations have been going abroad and while we know that they are going to places that really have very little, we wondered if there are any other places here in the UK which could benefit.
Have thought of homeless shelters,Salvation Army,pet rescues etc.
If anyone has any other suggestions please let us know.
Many thanks.

Fen1

A bit different from blankets, I know, but sailors appreciate balaclavas.
The Mission to Seafarers (used to be The Mission to Seamen) helps anyone in distress. They find that a lot of sailors from tropical waters are totally unprepared for the North, and lack any funds or means to get warm clothing. Balaclavas are exactly what they need to stave off cold and sickness. North sea sailors appreciate them too!

Ideally, the balaclavas should be patterned or coloured in some way, so that one can be identified from another.
http://www.missiontoseafarers.org/

vikki_louise

Hello, not so much for warmth but I'm sure a lot of the children at www.postpals.co.uk would love one for comfort

psso

Thanks for the ideas. Several of us have already knitted hats/balaclavas for sailors through another charity knitting group - think some are still being done.

Blankets for littlies might be a good idea.

Thanks both.

pat300

I'm involved in cat rescue in Argyll (Argyll Animal Aid) - I currently have around 60 cats, so am always grateful for knitted blankets for them if you could spare any.

In the Spring when the hedgehogs are awake and start getting into trouble I'm always very happy to receive woolly hats for them to curl up in.

And I also know of a small charity who supplies tiny baby clothes and tiny shawls etc to hospitals all over the UK which are given out to any prem babies they have, and are also given to mothers whose tiny baby has died so that they have nice burial clothes. (I've been sent the latter and know how comforting it is to put a tiny baby into something that fits decently for burial). They also provide patterns for these.

Pat

Chocolate80

I know that some charities working with homeless ppl would really appreciate them.

pink_numbers

pat300 wrote: »

I'm involved in cat rescue in Argyll (Argyll Animal Aid) - I currently have around 60 cats, so am always grateful for knitted blankets for them if you could spare any.

Hi Pat, I'm thinking of doing this to give to my local cat protection, what size would you recommend as a good size for a cat blanket?

Thanks for your time in advance

COOLTRIKERCHICK

Chocolate80 wrote: »

I know that some charities working with homeless ppl would really appreciate them.

i help a local organisation with things for the homeless, to be honest its sleeping bags they need, knitted blankets and other blankets will only be used once and then disgarded, as they are too big and bulky to carry round, if they 'stash' them somewherem they get wet and damp too quick to use.

figerless gloves and thick socks like the fishermen type ones would be great for this time of the year...


sadly i am sorry to say, in my line of business i get quite a few knitted blankets and baby clothes that have been done for charities to send abroad, but they are not, they are just sold to the rag merchants

pat300

pink_numbers wrote: »

Hi Pat, I'm thinking of doing this to give to my local cat protection, what size would you recommend as a good size for a cat blanket?

Thanks for your time in advance

Many people make these blankets too small, you need to make them big enough for the cats to mess about with and snuggle up in

So I'd suggest at least 3' square in old money, bigger if you have the time and patience. Lucky cats!

Pat

PepPop

I was wondering - I was wanting to knit for charity but my OH smokes and I have 2 cats - would I still be able to knit cat blankets for you? I could get OH to give me a smoke free zone but I can't avoid the cats - especially as they have a fascination for my knitting needles never mind the wool

pink_numbers

pat300 wrote: »

Many people make these blankets too small, you need to make them big enough for the cats to mess about with and snuggle up in

So I'd suggest at least 3' square in old money, bigger if you have the time and patience. Lucky cats!

Pat

Thank you so much for your advice, I see that I've been making them too small! Mine are about 2' square at the moment. Maybe once my year of not buying anything new is over, I will buy some nice fleece materials and make large enough kitty blankets from them. I will let you know when I do make them and send some to you for taking your time out to help me