Mommy Love Squares

Purpose:  To make a 4 inch x 4 inch knitted square for a mother to wear inside her clothing to absorb her scent.  The square is then placed close to her infant's face to provide the infant with familiar, pleasurable olfactory stimulation.

Lutes, L.M., Graves, C.D., Jorgensen, K.M. (2004) Developmental Care of Newborns and Infants: A Guide for Health Professionals, pp 173-174, pp273-274

Materials:

Cotton Classic by Stacy Charles, Inc., or any other medium weight 100% cotton yarn in pastel blue, pink, green or yellow.

Size 5 knitting needles.

Pattern:

Cast on 23 stitches

Rows 1-5 knit across

Row 6  - Knit 3, purl 17, knit 3

Row 7 - Knit across

Row 8 - Knit 3, purl 17, knit 3

Row 9 - Knit 11, purl 1, knit 11

Row 10 - Knit 3, purl 17, knit 3

Row 11 - Knit 10, purl 3, knit 10

Row 12 - Knit 3, purl 17, knit 3

Row 13 - Knit 9, purl 5, knit 9

Row 14 - Knit 3, purl 17, knit 3

Row 15 - Knit 8, purl 7, knit 8

Row 16 - Knit 3, purl 17, knit 3

Row 17 - Knit 7, purl 9, knit 7

Row 18 - Knit 3, purl 17, knit 3

Row 19 - Knit 6, purl 11, knit 6

Row 20 - Knit 3, purl 17, knit 3

Row 21 - Knit 6, purl 11, knit 6

Row 22 - Knit 3, purl 17, knit 3

Row 23 - Knit 6, purl 5, knit 1, purl 5, knit 6

Row 24 - Knit 3, purl 17, knit 3

Row 25 - Knit 7, purl 3, knit 3, purl 3, knit 7

Row 26 - Knit 3, purl 17, knit 3

Row 27 - Knit across

Row 28 - Knit 3, purl 17, knit 3

Row 29 - 34 Knit across

Bind off as to knit

A Knitting For Others story . . .

When Kim Goodwin learned her diagnosis of cancer in 2006 she realized that she would loose her hair, it was going to be cold soon, and she didn’t like the option of wearing a wig so she began her search for hats.  As she started looking for hats she quickly learned that they’re not made for heads with no hair.  So Kim did what any of us would do, call Mom for help!  Thus began the search for a knitting pattern for a hat that would work.  As Kim knitted her hats she learned very fast to tweak the pattern to her satisfaction and created her own design. 

It didn’t take very long before Kim realized that she needed hats in all kinds of colors to accessorize her outfits.  After all she’d been through she certainly wanted to be stylish.  Throughout her chemotherapy journey she was frequenting radiation and chemotherapy offices on a regular basis and seeing others experience the same struggle of loosing their hair.  She was knitting around 10 hats per month and she started carrying them with her and leaving them at the radiation and chemotherapy offices for others to enjoy.  Yes, many asked what they could pay for the hats, but Kim wasn’t looking for a financial opportunity rather she wanted to help others in need (some people still wanted to pay for the hats so she just bought more yarn and knitted more hats). 

The Yarn Garden Knit Shop became a great resource for Kim and as you might suspect, everyone at the Yarn Garden Knit Shop was very curious about what this customer was doing with her yarn.  As Kim was making her 1 skein purchases, everyone asked, “What she was making with just 1 skein of yarn?  Why didn’t she need more yarn of the same skein?”  This is how Kim met our Knitting for Others (KFO) efforts and now Kim could expand on her own personal efforts to maybe reach more chemotherapy patients.

Kim quickly learned that her materials selection made a difference in whether a hat was comfortable or not.  She learned that the yarn must be soft and must have stretch.  Once Kim used an Alpaca silk yarn that was beautiful, but it had no stretch making it very uncomfortable to wear.

Some of you may be asking what pattern does Kim use (I certainly wanted to know).  I could hear in Kim’s voice that she creates as she goes along – what I call a freeform knitter.  Kim describes herself as a novice knitter and one that doesn’t follow a pattern (although I have it on good authority that Carol’s in the process of changing that as we read).  We’ve posted the pattern on our website for the chemo hats that a chemotherapy patient would enjoy.  

Lessons Learned from wearing a Hat instead of a wig . . .

            Wear wigs, have no conversation starter – Kim now realizes that by wearing her hats, total strangers would approach her and share their own personal story, or their family member’s story to encourage Kim on her treatment journey.  What an opportunity to share and meet others just from a hat!  One particular instance that stood out to Kim was when a 4-year old girl who was completely bald came up and tugged on her shirt while in the grocery store – Kim would have never met this child if she’d been wearing a wig.  Kneeling down to talk with this child and to share something they had in common was very memorable and special.

We’re sharing Kim’s story now to spread the word that cancer patients need our help and it’s such a simple thing to knit a hat with just 1 skein of yarn.  What a great way to make someone feel special.  Please consider joining in Kim and our Knitting for Others effort and make a hat.  It’s simple . . . all you need to do is download the pattern, start knitting, and then deliver your finished hat to us.  Kim will collect and deliver them to a radiology and chemotherapy office. 

Click here to view and print our Chemo Hat pattern.

Baby Booties . . .

are in great need with the Pregnancy Resource Center of Gwinnett.  This organization is a nonprofit, interdenominational organization meeting the needs of individuals by providing a variety of services.  You can help make a difference for someone who has a very real need by using your knitting skills to make these easy booties for babies.  This organization is in great need of knitters and probably about 40 to 60 pairs of booties. 

Of course, any supplies you purchase to make these booties will be discounted.  Just let us know at the time you make your purchase and we'll make the adjustment.

Be on the lookout for the free pattern to be posted on our website soon!

• EVERYONE IS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE!
• Everyone is welcome to join other KFO knitters on Thursday night's
• You do not need to attend meetings to participate
• Our Goal
  • One blanket with 49 7" x 9" blocks using Cascade 200 SuperWash ~ 50% off
  • Any stitch pattern or color
• Other 7" x 9" blocks will be sent directly to WarmUp America for use
• Bring in or mail 7" x 9" blocks to shop with ends woven in ready for blocking
• Put together party ~ details coming ~ projected time is May
• Intended donation to local battered women's shelter