We have now sent over 22500 garments to over 150 hospitals. A big thank you to all who have been involved so far and who continue to do so much.

If you have not been involved so far (we began in Feb 2008 - so nearly 2 years now!) and would like to you can email us at the shop or call on the number at the top of this page. All are welcome to help at any standard as there are patterns for all levels or you can come into Bakewell and we will get you started.

Wye Needlecraft S.C.B.U. Knitting Project.

Many other knitters delivered garments to both the show and the shop. This resulted in a week where 12 parcels were posted to units both locally and further afield. To date we have sent over 22500 garments to over 140 Special Care Baby Units nationwide. Many hospitals are now receiving regular parcels.

The letters from the units on view at Wye Needlecraft tell how much the garments are appreciated, many remarking on the high quality of the knitting. We cannot begin to thank our wonderful knitters for all that they do for these very special babies!

Blankets. In reponse to many requests we now have a pack of blanket patterns available. The patterns have been shared with the project by some of our knitters. The priority is still for garments, but many hospitals ask for blankets so it good to be able to include some in their parcels. Our blankets are easy to knit – ideal for doing while watching TV ! As with the main pattern pack, the blanket pattern pack is available from the shop or by post. Again, a small donation is appreciated to cover costs.

Garments. The greatest need is always for the tiny garments to fit babies from 1½ - 5lb birth weight. The most popular sizes are 10”,12” & 14” cardigans, small/medium beanies, bonnets and ventilator hats (all styles), Small bootees and mittens are also needed. Some units have asked for cardigans and hats in a slightly larger size for ‘going home’ babies. These can be knitted from our patterns, but if you wish you could use one of the ‘prem’ size (14”) designs in standard pattern leaflets – Wye Needlecraft stock a good selection. The V-neck style preferred by units when babies are in their care is not so important when they are ready to go home.

The Future. So far we have sent parcels to every hospital that needed garments in the Trent, North-West, Yorkshire and Mersey NHS regions. Most of the North and Anglia regions have also been covered. Several hospitals in other regions have received parcels as well. We've even sent to Romania! We are keen to expand even further and to send extra garments to those already supplied, so your help is vital. We love to see you coming into the shop with your beautiful, lovingly knitted garments.

We have also received parcels from knitters all over the country. Without you and our generous donors the scheme could not run, let alone be a success. On behalf of the hospital staff, the babies and their parents, we thank you for all you do to help.
Please CARRY ON KNITTING. Everything is NEEDED, USED AND APPRECIATED.

Previous News: On the 2nd April 2008 Daphne and Dean from Wye Needlecraft visited Sheffield Neonatal Unit at the Jessop Wing. There they took the little knitted clothes (knitted by staff and customers) and also met some mums and babies. Read more here.

10th April 2008: The Sheffield Star Newspaper have published an article on Wye Needlecraft's Big Knit for premature babies.

17th April 2008: Here's the article that was in today's Matlock Mercury. It will also be in tomorrow's Peak Times and the Bakewell Community Newsletter.  

21st May 2008: Nottingham University Hospital Press Release.

Here is the press release for when we visited Nottingham City & Queens Hospital's delivering the knitted clothes.

 Whats needed now - Blankets

We do not have a specific pattern for blankets, but 14” x 14” square (approx) and 18” x 24” (approx) are the most requested sizes. We are also asked for some larger blankets which can be made from joined squares.
Hospitals ask that we avoid knitting blankets in lacy, open stitches or heavily textured, ridged patterns. Tiny, fragile fingers can easily be damaged by being caught in holes and loose stitches. Please also avoid crochet blankets for the same reason.
D.K. Baby Yarn is the most often used but 4 ply and Baby Aran yarns are also suitable.
The whole blanket can be knitted in garter stitch. However, the central part of the blanket can be knitted in stocking stitch or variations of Knit & Purl stitches.
If you do this, please knit a garter stitch border at least 1 – 1.5” wide all round. This ensures the blanket will lie flat without the edges curling up.
Fluffy and textured yarns are not suitable, even if labelled ‘For Baby Use’ . Premature babies have very thin skins and such yarns can easily damage them.

Check out our new baby blanket patterns

Many thanks again for your help, please send these to us so we can forward them to the correct baby unit