The sewing thread
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2021 acquisitions, with or without coupons; all clothing, footwear or textiles:
Jan: 1.4kg Shetland wool (2nd-hand, so 0 coupons)
2020 Fashion on the Ration Challenge: Calculations not done yet - started with 74.5 coupons (66+8.5 from 2019)
2019 Fashion on the Ration Challenge: 8.5 coupons left out of 66
I'd be wanting another one in a different colour, for when it's in the wash!
2021 acquisitions, with or without coupons; all clothing, footwear or textiles:
Jan: 1.4kg Shetland wool (2nd-hand, so 0 coupons)
2020 Fashion on the Ration Challenge: Calculations not done yet - started with 74.5 coupons (66+8.5 from 2019)
2019 Fashion on the Ration Challenge: 8.5 coupons left out of 66
Please note that synthetic yarns and fabrics cannot be used
Pouches-for orphaned joeys
When juvenile kangaroos or wallabies come into care they need to be kept warm and quiet. WIRES carers are always in need of suitable pouches. The pouches are used for many different animals, at many stages of their development. Some are required for the tiny furless joeys and some for the larger joeys. This means various sized pouches are always useful. Many people, who would like to help our wildlife but are unable to commit to animal rescue or care, can help by making pouches and/or linings.
Pouches
Wool: 8 ply pure wool (we are unable to use pouches made from synthetic materials)
Knitting: Pouches should be knitted in plain (garter) stitch both sides
Needles: Size 8 needles (old UK size) or 4mm metric UK size needles
Dimensions: Two separate rectangles either: 40cm wide x 60cm long OR
50cm wide x 70cm long
Sew together on the two longer sides and at one end, and leave open along one of the shorter ends.
Alternatively, knit one long piece 40 cm wide by 120 cm long and fold, sew the two long sides, leaving the top open. This then makes a finished pouch 40 cm wide by 60 cm
Lining
Material: Pure cotton or flannelette, washable material only
Dimensions: Two separate rectangles either 40cm wide x 60cm long OR
50cm wide x 70cm long
The lining should not be attached to the pouch as it will need to be changed regularly. We generally require many more linings than pouches to allow washing and regular changes. The lining should be closed on three sides and open at the top.
Other Sized Pouches
Other sized pouches are also gratefully received. Crocheted pouches are also accepted, however a tight crochet stitch is preferred for warmth.
There is no one perfect size, these dimensions provide a guide. Finished pouches can be posted to:
WIRES
PO Box 7276
Warringah Mall NSW 2100
Australia
Please include your email address when you send pouches or liners to us so that we can thank you, send photo's of pouches in use and emails when we have other knitting/sewing projects that you may be able to help with.
https://www.wires.org.au/wildlife-info/wildlife-factsheets/making-macropod-pouches
https://www.royalmail.com/price-finder
WIRES were needing koala mittens (for burnt paws) too but I think they’ve enough of those now
Thank you for researching this.
- Pip (Aussie)
2021 Fashion on the Ration Challenge 66 coupons plus 6 brought forward unspent from 2020 equals 72 coupons to spend in 2021. 19 coupons spent. 53 remain.
Hi huggermugger!
I'm in a similar boat, with a couple of competing eye conditions making everything more difficult - tbh I find any decent bright light helps - Ikea do brillian (literally!) small lamps for a tenner, one with a heavy base that really doesn't tip over and one with a big clip to clip onto bookshelf or whatever, both really good intense bright light.
BUT actually the thing that made the biggest difference is called Beam'n'Read and is available online for 30-40 quid and I would heartily recommend it. I found using it felt like looking through a really good magnifying glass, everything so visible and clear and crisp once again.
It's a light with 6 LEDs, with an option to use only 3 if you prefer, and also amber and red filters to clip over for using eg at night when partner is asleep beside you - and it's on a good elastic neck-strap and sits on your chest, all completely adjustable. It runs on batteries which seem to last forever, just normal ones, can't recall if AA or AAA but very easily available.
It's made my life a LOT easier and has the added advantage of being portable too! Oh, and also really good for reading if that is becoming tricky too...
Edit to add: the Ikea one is Navlinge, now 15 quid for table one, 12 quid for clip one https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/naevlinge-led-work-lamp-white-90404921/
And the Beam'n'Read I think you'd have to buy form the USA, so check any shipping costs and taxes carefully first! But oh, how it is worth having... https://www.amazon.com/Beam-Read-LED-Hands-Free-Relaxation/dp/B00UE22N7M/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=beam%27n%27read&qid=1580116264&sr=8-1
2021 acquisitions, with or without coupons; all clothing, footwear or textiles:
Jan: 1.4kg Shetland wool (2nd-hand, so 0 coupons)
2020 Fashion on the Ration Challenge: Calculations not done yet - started with 74.5 coupons (66+8.5 from 2019)
2019 Fashion on the Ration Challenge: 8.5 coupons left out of 66