'Rainbows' Preemie Knitting and Crochet Project - A Sad Story To Share

I am very grateful to my parents friend 'Joan' for her beautiful knitted creations that she has donated to the 'Rainbows' project this month.

I really value all of Joan's creations, they are beautifully made but this month I particularly love this pretty little hat that is sprouting flowers.  Somebody will look a real cutie wearing this.
               I do not have much to shout about this month in terms of my own creations.  I have two cardigans in need of completion.  I have been using the yarn that was donated to the 'Rainbows Project' by the Loveknitting Team.  If you need any last minute knitting or yarn supplies before the festivities do pay them a visit.

I have made two simple little cardigans, they need edging and completing.

They have not quite turned out how I would have liked!  I hope they will be some use to someone.  I will attempt to improve the look with the 'finishing off'.  I think I may convert to 'knitting' for Rainbows in future and see if that improves my end product.   This does not appear to look as bad in 'real' life as it does in the photograph!  Honest Gov!  I still have six/seven months to work on Rainbow Projects before I will collate all donations and hand them over.  Please feel free to join me at any time with any donation.
             A couple of weeks ago, I had some very sad news from an online friend of mine.  I asked her if she would mind me sharing her story.  She gave me permission to share her very sad story.  I think by sharing stories and information we can help others, educate each other and people may not feel so alone.  Annette was looking forward to the birth of her grandson.  She lives in the Midlands and her daughter lives in Ireland.  Annette received a call from her daughter asking her Mom to be by her side as the baby she was carrying had died at 30 weeks.  Annette made the journey to Ireland to be with her daughter as she gave birth to 'a perfect baby boy'.  His name was Cory Peter and he weighed 3lb 6.5 oz.  The family spent a few precious hours together before preparing for the Cory Peter's funeral.  Sometimes it seems there are no reasons or no answers to explain a tragedy like this.  It is a very sad fact of life.  My words of comfort seemed inadequate. What can you say at such a time?  I told Annette about the 'Rainbows Project' and I have also 'promised' to make ten Angel Pockets in memory of Cory Peter to help give some comfort to other families experiencing the tragic loss of tiny babies who sadly do not make it.
XXX

          

'Rainbows Preemie Project' November 2012 Update

I can't quite believe how quickly these monthly updates come around.  I must be getting 'old' as time really does fly and I can't quite get my 'hat off' about it!
             It has been another fantastic month for this 'Rainbows - Preemie Project'.   The kindness and generosity of Blog Land Folk has really exceeded my expectations again.  Let me tell ya I have a lovely little stash of clothes to deliver to the 'Maternity Ward'.  I am going to keep going and donate in July 2013.  Euan would actually like to go on his birthday to donate the items.  As a child I always hated hospitals ( I am not too happy about them as an adult truth be know) but to Euan hospitals are familiar 'happy' places and he actually enjoys going to hospital.  As you know he was eight weeks premature.  He was a strong prem baby and did not need more than a couple of days of 'Special Care'.  He was diagnosed with 'Left Foot' talipes (club foot) during a 20 week pregnancy scan.  He was 'on the books' for Birmingham Children's Hospital and had a Consultant before he was born.  He was in full hip to toe plaster cast at six days old despite only weighing 5lbs.  He had his first operation at about ten weeks old and then had further plaster cast treatment most weeks.  Weekly hospital visits were just part of his life.  Plaster cast treatments are effective in babies with clubfoot for all but 4% of them.  Euan was one of the 4% it was not successful for.  His bones, muscles and tendons needed correcting with surgery.  He had his last operation the day before his sixth birthday and spent his birthday in hospital.  He has never complained or been fearful.  He actually remembers he had a great sixth birthday, the nurses gave him presents and made a fuss of him.  He like hospitals and he like hospital coffee shops especially the cakes.  If he wants to go to hospital on his birthday. . . I will see what I can do.
                I have been working on a couple of little cardigans made with some of the yarn donated by Helen and the Loveknitting Team:

Loveknitting.com

That was a lovely and generous gesture of them to donate yarn for 'Rainbows'.  I was really delighted and surprised to find the offer of yarn left as a 'Blog Comment' after my last 'Rainbows Update'.  I have shopped with Loveknitting.com and the service and delivery was super speedy and efficient.  If you are sorting any 'Seasonal' knitting or crochet projects out, or are looking for gift ideas. . . they are a great place to start for your crafty needs.  The cardigans I have made need finishing touches and should be ready for me to show you for next months update.  Not to worry as I have lots to show you now anyway.

            I had a lovely box of goodies arrive from Steph and her Mom from 'Show and Tell Blog'.  Steph and her Mom have been really busy and the box was a treat to open.

It was all carefully wrapped in tissue paper.  I do not know where Steph gets her creative energy from she is a prolific crafter and artist.  You can check out Steph's work Here.

Steph's Mom made some beautiful, tiny hats, cardigans and booties.  

It is a shock to have a Premature baby.  No body prepares by buying clothes for teeny babies.  It is so lovely to be able to dress them in beautiful, well made clothes that make them look adorable.

I was so relieved to have clothes that fitted Euan.  It really pestered me what he would wear and that nothing would fit.  It seems like a silly thing to be worried about but we all want out newborns to look sweet and feel comfortable.

Steph's Mom (I do not know her name) found these pretty little patterns Here and Here, they are free patterns.  The hand knits I had for Euan were very plain.  All of these cardigans are very sweet and special and I am sure will be treasured by someone.

Also in the box were blankets.

Isn't this beautiful?  Even my July baby, born in a heatwave needed layers of woollies for indoors.  Premature  babies cannot retain or regulate their temperature so need wrapping up in woolly hats, cardigans, booties and blankets even for indoors in the Summer.  They are dressed like they are ready for the snow.  A big Thankyou and (((Hugs))) to Steph's Mom. 

  Steph made this collection of little hats.  They are so cute.  They really made me smile.  For the first few hours if you have no clothes to fit the baby they get wrapped in blankets and wear woolly hats.  These will be very useful.  I love the fuzzy ones.  I would have chosen those for my baby.  He would have looked like a tiny Bluebird chick!  

          If you have any time and would like to donate to 'Rainbows' I would love to hear from you my E-mail address is here On the 'Rainbows' Page.  I am also collecting links to 'Premature Baby' crochet and knitting patterns on this page.   'Mom to Bobby' from Upon Butterfly Wings also left me a comment on the 'Rainbows' page.  She has reminded me to also request knitted or crochet donations for 'Angel Babies' as a sad truth is not all of these precious babies survive.  Burial garments and blankets are always gratefully received.  I intend to make some items for 'Angel Babies' myself.  

Thank you for reading and thank you for your support.

XXX

Feeling Very Thankful

If you have a parcel arrive with this logo on it you know it contains goodies.  This has to be my favourite logo in the whole world.  In fact I am tempted to get a tattoo!   Helen from 'www.loveknitting.com' left me a lovely blog comment on this months Rainbows Preemie Project Update.

Loveknitting.com is an online knitting store that stocks a wide range of yarns, accessories, patterns, needles and crochet hooks...really you are better off going and taking a peek so you can get your letters written to Santa in good time.  I have the terrible 'Wantsies' for this - Louisa Harding Grace Hand Beaded Knitting Yarn!  Pleeeeaaase Santa!  xxx
                  I ordered a copy of this pattern book yesterday:

 I could not believe it arrived this morning.  That is very fast delivery.  I have no excuse now not to get knitting something more adventurous for 'Rainbows'.  Helen also made a generous donation of yarn to the project.  I love the kindness of 'Blogland' and when it creeps into the 'Real' world it is all the more special.

A beautiful selection of 'Debbie Bliss - ecobaby - made with 100% Organic Cotton'.  I love these colours and did not like dressing my babies in 'traditional' pastel colours, I preferred natural colours, denim blues, stone and greys, 'ecobaby' comes in thirteen different shades.  This yarn is 100%  Organic cotton and it is the softest cotton I have ever felt.

Sublime is the right word for this 'baby' yarn too.  Sublime baby cashmere merino silk 4ply  75% Extra fine merino, 20% Silk and 5% Cashmere.  Wow these babies can get really spoiled these days.  This is another beautiful, soft yarn that would also be so warm.  It will be a treat to 'work' with.
I love 'Random Acts of Kindness' and it is so nice to be on the receiving end.
Thank you, thank you, thank you xxx