Click your needles together to knit baby caps and help educate about and prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome!
Click
for Babies is a public health initiative that allows knitters and
crocheters to support Shaken Baby Syndrome prevention. While some may
be aware of Shaken Baby Syndrome and know that shaking a baby is
dangerous and harmful, many others have no idea how dreadfully trying
a constantly crying baby can be.
Shaken
Baby Syndrome is sometimes seen as an act perpetuated by a careless
parent who doesn't know better. But just as often it can happen when
a loving parent, feeling helpless and despondent over his or her
inability to soothe a disconsolate infant, winds up shaking the baby
out of despair.
This
is where Click for Babies comes in.The purpose of Click for Babies
is to raise awareness of a frequent cause of Shaken Baby Syndrome
called the Period of Purple Crying. Knitters and crocheters can help
by knitting or crocheting a purple baby cap that can be distributed
to newborn babies and their parents. These caps not only remind of
the hazards of shaking a baby, but also help to educate parents about
normal infant crying.
The Period of Purple Crying.
The
fact is that all baby mammals, not just human beings, go through
something called a "purple period." During this period,
which in human beings lasts from about 2 weeks of age to 3 to 4
months, babies cry more often, especially in the evening. They are
also often either resistant to soothing or are not always soothed by
the same methods every time.
The
good news is that while every baby goes through this period (though
some babies cry far more than others during this period), it DOES
end. This is especially important to share with new parents, who may
feel not only helpless but also as though they have failed.
Raising Awareness through the Click of Needles.
Click
for Babies refers to the sound of the clicking of knitting needles,
although crocheters are, of course, equally welcome to participate.
The Click
for Babies website offers free patterns, guidelines, and places to send caps.
Many
states have their own Click for Babies programs for distributing caps
to hospitals. For those who live in other states, there is a national
Click for Babies office where caps can be sent to.
Click
for Babies encourages sharing of the program through social media;
they have Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest pages that can be used to
spread the word.
Shaken
Baby Syndrome is a tragedy that can be easily avoided, so let's all
put our needles and hooks together and support the great cause of
Click for Babies!
Here is a free knitting pattern to help get you started :
Size: New born
Hat measures 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter; length 5 inches (13 cm) from rim to crown.
Materials:Hat measures 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter; length 5 inches (13 cm) from rim to crown.
Size 4 mm (5 US) needles
DK weight yarn Lilac and Purple
For nose ,eyes and mouth DK weight yarn black.
Tension:
21.5 sts= 4 inches (10 cm)
InstructionsDK weight yarn Lilac and Purple
For nose ,eyes and mouth DK weight yarn black.
Tension:
21.5 sts= 4 inches (10 cm)
Hat
Starting at brim, with Lilac yarn CO 64 sts and work in K2, p2 until brim measures 1 inch (3 cm) from beg.
Then work in St st
6 rows Lilac
6 rows Purple
6 rows Lilac
4 rows Purple
Shape Top Of Hat
Still in Purple *k2 tog, k7 rep from* to last 2 sts k2tog- 56 st
Next row : Purl
Change to Pink or blue knit 1 row then purl 1 row
Continuing in stripe sequence as established, shape top and finish:
Row 1 (RS) K 1, *k 4, k2tog; rep from * to last st, k 1 - 47 sts.
Rows 2, 4 and 6 Purl.
Row 3 K 1, *k 3, k2tog; rep from * to last st, k 1 - 38 sts.
Row 5 K 1, *k 2, k2tog; rep from * to last st, k 1 - 29 sts.
Row 7 K 1, *k2tog; rep from * across - 15 sts.
Row 8 *P2tog; rep from * to last st, p 1 - 8 sts.
Cut yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing seam. With large-eyed blunt needle, thread tail through remaining sts on needle. Pull tightly and secure. Sew back seam.
EAR - Make 2
With Lilac yarn, cast on 16 sts. and knit 3 rows. Pass all sts, 1 at a time, over first st. Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread tail through remaining st and pull to tighten.
NOSE
With Black , cast on 5 sts.
Row 1 Knit.
Rows 2 and 4 Purl.
Row 3 K2tog, k 1, k2tog - 3 sts.
Row 4 Purl.
Row 5 K3tog - 1 st.
Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread tail through remaining st; pull to tighten.
FINISHING
Using photo as a guide, place Ears and sew to each side of Hat about 2 inch apart. Sew Nose in place, embroider smile, 3 whiskers on each side of Nose, and eyes, using Stem or chain st.
Starting at brim, with Lilac yarn CO 64 sts and work in K2, p2 until brim measures 1 inch (3 cm) from beg.
Then work in St st
6 rows Purple
6 rows Lilac
4 rows Purple
Shape Top Of Hat
Still in Purple *k2 tog, k7 rep from* to last 2 sts k2tog- 56 st
Next row : Purl
Change to Pink or blue knit 1 row then purl 1 row
Continuing in stripe sequence as established, shape top and finish:
Row 1 (RS) K 1, *k 4, k2tog; rep from * to last st, k 1 - 47 sts.
Rows 2, 4 and 6 Purl.
Row 3 K 1, *k 3, k2tog; rep from * to last st, k 1 - 38 sts.
Row 5 K 1, *k 2, k2tog; rep from * to last st, k 1 - 29 sts.
Row 7 K 1, *k2tog; rep from * across - 15 sts.
Row 8 *P2tog; rep from * to last st, p 1 - 8 sts.
Cut yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing seam. With large-eyed blunt needle, thread tail through remaining sts on needle. Pull tightly and secure. Sew back seam.
EAR - Make 2
With Lilac yarn, cast on 16 sts. and knit 3 rows. Pass all sts, 1 at a time, over first st. Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread tail through remaining st and pull to tighten.
NOSE
With Black , cast on 5 sts.
Row 1 Knit.
Rows 2 and 4 Purl.
Row 3 K2tog, k 1, k2tog - 3 sts.
Row 4 Purl.
Row 5 K3tog - 1 st.
Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread tail through remaining st; pull to tighten.
FINISHING
Using photo as a guide, place Ears and sew to each side of Hat about 2 inch apart. Sew Nose in place, embroider smile, 3 whiskers on each side of Nose, and eyes, using Stem or chain st.
