'Thoughful Thursday' Click For Babies

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 :

Purple Kitty Hat.

Size: New born
Hat measures 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter; length 5 inches (13 cm) from rim to crown.

Materials:

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)

Instructions

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. 

'Thoughful Thursday' Knit a Square Project

Knit a square project.

 KasCare

Please knit a square (or more) and send them to Africa to make up blankets for the children.

Crocheting and knitting for charity, especially for children in need, is a meditative act of love. More importantly, it makes a difference. There are many millions of abandoned and vulnerable children and AIDS orphans in southern Africa, who live in dire poverty. Many lack the very basics we take for granted—love, shelter, food, education and warmth.

Your contribution of squares to this crochet and knitting project will add to the many thousands of 8"/20cm squares from around the world, which are joined into blankets and distributed to these children.
The finished blankets add more than warmth to the children’s lives. As co-founder of KasCare, Ronda said in a South African press interview:“ They are a currency we use to tell the children exactly how beloved they are. We tell them they are the future, unique and special.”
You can find the details of how you can donate on the website:
 www.knit-a-square.com and you can aslo subscribe to their newsletter Square Circle. As your squares arrive, they are collected, sorted and bundled into blanket packs by the KasCare Volunteers They then organise sewing and distribution days which are recorded in the Square Circle, so you can see and enjoy the results of your wonderful work.

The September Challenge is - 'South America and Carnival in Rio'

 You will find lots of inspiration for squares with this challenge.... It really has it all - from mountains and rivers, to rainforests and plains and all the way south, almost to Antarctica.

The wildlife offers lots of scope - from the wild colours of the many tropical birds - to the hairy textures of the llamas and alpacas....and even penguins. Even the people are an inspiration - especially the patterns and colours found in the fabulous knitting that comes from Bolivia and Peru.

And if that’s not enough inspiration... consider Carnival in Rio... a veritable riot of colour. and the potential for lots of fun squares

Whether you prefer to try depicting some of the animals and birds, or create wild wonderful Carnival-coloured plain janes.. it all works.!!! And remember, each child will likely have only one "embellished" square in his blanket... and for every one of those,  34 plainer ones are needed to complete it....so for this challenge, everything goes!

 So have some fun, knit a square and  send some love to aids orphans in South Africa.

Every 14 seconds a child will become an orphan!

We all understand how awful it is to be cold, but many of us have not experienced the misery of being cold all night, every night, hungry, and perhaps sick as well. Many of the children are themselves infected by HIV AIDS. As it is an auto immune disease, keeping warm helps their ability to stay well.
Keeping a child with HIV AIDS warm is vital 
Please help if you can.
www.knit-a-square.com
www.facebook.com/knitasquare

'Thoughtful Thursday' Upon Butterfly Wings

Founded in October 2011 - in memory of baby Bobby Franks (03.07.09) and his Friends - Upon Butterfly Wings is a voluntary not-for-profit organisation, which provide support to parents whose babies have sadly died, either in early miscarriage, due to premature birth, stillbirth or during the neonatal period, right across the UK.

Upon Butterfly Wings provide this support in three ways - - - 
- - - By supplying hospitals and funeral directors with premature to full term handmade baby blankets, teddies and toys, burial clothing including dresses and boys outfits, buntings, specially designed wraps and pockets, handmade cribs, full term and preemie wicker moses baskets and casket linings via the'Knitted Wings Project'.   

- - - By donating 'Care Packages' direct to newly bereaved parents in time for baby's burial or to take to the hospital if it is known the baby will be born sleeping.

- - - By donating 'Beanies' to parents who wish to have a simple keepsake in the form of a hat and poem presented in an organza bag. 
As both of the above are provided by UBW FREE of charge, thet are always in need of volunteers who wish to help make a difference. Those who can knit, crochet or sew and those who are unable to. There are many ways you can help. For more information go to their web site Upon Butterfly Wings or their facebook page

How to Help

If you are able to help, simply post your donations to  PO Box address PO Box 49500, London SE20 9BJ. Please include your name and address within your package so they know who you are. All donations received at the PO Box are collected, photographed and added to their website and Facebook page twice weekly on a Wednesday and Saturday.

Most needed items for September:

All of the items listed have a pattern should you need one, of which can be found on their website www.uponbutterflywings.org under the patterns and guide page.

1: Blankets, Blankets, Blankets – A4 sized and A3 sized as standard, but also are now getting a lot of interest from hospitals for full term blankets. There is a size chart within their guide for all of the blankets should you need some help.

2: Dresses – They now have non left ! Dresses are needed in a range of colours (including blue, boys need dressing too) and they can be left plain or embellished.

3: Hats – Due to the new keepsake service called Bobbys Beanies (please see  website for more information) they are now in need of hats of all sizes and colours, including hats as small as a thimble.

4: Buntings and All in Ones –  always in need of a great range of buntings and all in ones and these are especially needed for the tiny babies (buntings) and baby boys (all in ones).

5: Pockets and Wraps – Along with the dresses these are the most donated and most used items. These are required both in sizes very small to large as they are used across the board of gestations.

6: There is a possibility that they may be asked for a rather large donation of handmade cribs in September.

7: They have no Teddies or Pocket Angels left at all. L Teddies ranging from 4 inches to 8 inches in height are the ideal sizes, there is both a knitting and crochet pattern for the Pocket Angels on the website.

Please Help If You Can!

'Thoughful Thursday' Recovery Buddies

Charity to Help People in Recovery

When you knit for the charity  Recovery Buddies, you offer much-needed support and comfort to people in treatment for mental illness and addictions.

The program began with a young woman named Bethany who had begun treatment for an eating disorder. A few of her friends gave her a sweet pink stuffed duck that she called Flynn. Her cuddly buddy became a treasured companion that she cuddled with for comfort as she made her long trips to the hospital where she received her treatment, in addition to all the rough times she encountered as she recovered.

When one of Bethany's friends needed to be hospitalized during an illness, Bethany remembered the comfort Flynn had brought her, and she decided to knit a cuddly buddy for her friend. Her friend loved the cuddle buddy, and Bethany loved seeing her friend comforted the way she had been.

Thus Recovery Buddies was born. The program unites those entering treatment with knitted buddies: cuddly pillows with arms, legs, and personality, perfect for snuggling when you need comfort.

How You Can Help?

Recovery Buddies always needs knitted or crocheted buddies! They have plenty of people on their waiting list, so this is a charity where your needles and yarn can make a huge difference.

You can find guidelines for knitting buddies on the Recovery Buddies site.
Here's a pattern to help you along:

Cast on 80 stitches (or if using circulars, enough to go around)
Knit in the round for 8 inches or desired length
Bind off using a three needle bind off

If not using circulars:
Row one : Knit
Row two: purl
Repeat for 8 inches or desired length
Bind off
Fold in half and sew so that it has one open side

Arms : 
Cast on 5 stitches on double pointed needle or circular
Work i-cord for 2.5-3 inches

Legs: 
Cast on 6 stitches on double pointed needle or circular
Work i-cord for 3 inches

Finishing:
Stuff pillow and sew shut.
Sew on arms and legs
Sew on face

Recovery Buddies have been sent all over the United States and all around the world. This is a wonderful way to provide much-needed emotional support to people in very dark moments in their lives. Why not consider knitting a buddy for your next knit for charity project?
You can also find Recovery Buddies on facebook

'Thoughful Thursday' Purple Stitch Project (PSP)

Purple Stitch Project (PSP) is a web-based charitable organization to benefit babies, children and teens with epilepsy. The 1st goal of this initiative is a call to action for people who knit, crochet, or sew to make purple (the epilepsy awareness color) gifts for kids with seizure disorders. These gifts will serve as a reminder that they are not alone — that they have community support. To do this, Purple Stitch Project has teamed up with Craftsy to be able to offer free patterns and project ideas for volunteers to work from. (Check out the pattern database here. If you’re a designer who’d like to donate a pattern, go here.)

The 2nd goal of PSP is to raise awareness about epilepsy, the 3rd most prevalent neurological disorder (next to stroke and Alzheimer’s). With every purple stitch made and every handmade item worn or carried, perhaps a collective conversation will begin about a disorder that surprisingly little is known about. It’s the PSP vision that one day, thousands of people will walk at the Nation Walk for Epilepsy wearing purple scarves and beanies.

Lastly, Purple Stitch Project, Inc is currently in the application process of becoming a 501(3)c charity to achieve its 3rd goal: raising money towards research grants and support programs initiated through the Epilepsy Foundation of America and the Epilepsy Foundation of Central & South Texas (of which PSP founder, Vickie Howell, has a seat on the board.)

Use your knitting, crocheting, or sewing skills to put a smile on a kid with epilepsy’s face. Join the Purple Stitch Project initiative today! 

'Thoughful Thursday' Help 'LILY' Knit Squares

The charity featured today on Thoughful Thursday is very close to my heart. I have set up 'Lily'-Love In the Language of Yarn in memory of my grand-daughter Lily Iris Gibson. Our Mission is To bring love and a smile to all children in need around the world. We provide hand knit and crocheted items for children, mainly orphans but any child in need.

Help us Knit Squares For Syrian refugees especially the children. There are currently more than 43,000 Syrian refugees in Turkey  housed in refugee camps dotting the border.  Most of them fled for their lives in an instant, never imagining their exile would last so long. 




Photo by Tomás Munita for The New York Times


Please consider making a square or two with your odds and ends. Any spare wool you have can be knitted into eight inch squares and then we'll stitch them all together into a blanket. No waste and a child with nothing gets a warm and colourful, cover for their bed!

Knitting Instructions

FOR ONE 8"/20 cms SQUARE, you will need:
Yarn from a 100 gram (3.5 oz) ball of yarn or scraps of yarn 
 worsted weight , double knit or 8ply

Size 4mm needles  10 (USA)
A yarn sewing needle.
 Cast on 32 stitches (try to make your stitches neither too loose nor too tight to help ensure uniform squares)
 Row 1: knit
 Row 2: knit. These two rows form the 'garter' stitch knitting pattern for your square but you use any stitch you prefer, beascreative as you like. Continue knitting  until you have knitted a square
 To ensure you square is 8"/20cm either use a tape measure .

 Cast off
 Use your yarn sewing needle to sew in all the yarn ends using a darning method
VERY IMPORTANT 
Leave a one metre length of your yarn attached to your work after you have cast off. This will be used to join the squares together. but if you're changing colors work in your other tails.  DO NOT TIE AND CUT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE KNOT, THAT IS GUARANTEED TO COME UNDONE.  Knot if you want, but leave a tail and work in your ends.



We work with reputable, experienced relief agencies to securely transport and distribute our hand-knit and crocheted blankets for this progect we are working with  Humanitarian Relief Foundation. 
You can also find us at:  https://www.facebook.com/LilyLoveInTheLanguageOfYarn

Please Help If You Can!

'Lily' is supported by businesses and individuals in Turkey, whether it be donations of yarn, Knitting and Crocheting or transportation of completed blankets to receiving agencies.

'Lily' has no paid employees.  All the good work is done on a strictly volunteer basis.

'Lily' wishes to thank all those private individuals and businesses which support us.  Without you, there would be no 'Lily' - Love In the Language of Yarn.  We work hard for the day when we are no longer needed to help keep Children warm.

Dianne Jones - Founder of  'Lily'- Love In the Language of Yarn.

'Thoughful Thursday' Learn How to Knit for Charity

Learn How to Knit for Charity With These Easy Squares!

Knitting blanket squares is fun whether you're trying to learn how to knit or you've been doing it for years.

Do you want to learn how to knit and help others at the same time? Many charities accept simple blanket squares, the perfect projects to help you learn how to knit! Blanket squares whip up easily and simply, and once you learn how to knit more proficiently, you can get creative with different colors, styles, and patterns.

The Basics

In order to start knitting squares for charity, you'll have to learn how to knit the basic knit stitch. To start, get a set of knitting needles (it's a good idea to start with about a size 6mm while you learn how to knit) and some yarn you like. Begin by tying a slip knot in the yarn. The slip knot will be your first stitch.

Hold the needle with the stitch in your left hand and push the right hand needle into the stitch, so both needles are in the same stitch. Wrap the yarn around the bottom needle and pull it back through the first stitch. Now you have two stitches, one on either needle. Put the stitch on your right needle onto the left needle. Now you have two!

 Keep doing this until you have 30 stitches.
This is called casting on.

Keep Going!

Knitting is almost exactly the same as casting on. You make the stitch the same way, but instead of placing the left hand stitch onto the right needle, you slip the right hand stitch right off. That way you'll always have forty stitches (for example, after your first stitch, you'll have thirty nine on the left needle and one on the right). Continue this way until you've completed a row, then turn it around and do the same thing all over again.

 Keep knitting until you have a square that measures 8 inches (20cm) all the way around.

Almost Done!

It's time to cast off. Knit two stitches as you normally would. Then take the first stitch, the one furthest from the end, and lift it over the second stitch, sliding it right off the needle.
 Knit another stitch and repeat until only one stitch remains. Cut your yarn and pass the tail through your last remaining stitch, pulling it tight.

You've now made an 8 X 8 square! Best of all, you can learn how to knit and help those in need at the same time. This 8 X 8 square is exactly the sized used by 'Lily' - Love In the Language of Yarn, an organization that collects squares and makes them into blankets to warm and comfort the Syrian childrn refugees in Turkey. Also by Knit A Square to make blankets for Aids Orphans.







Who'd have thought it: you can learn how to knit and help bring warmth and comfort to the worlds needy, all in a single stroke!

'Thoughful Thursday' Knit Blankets for NICU Wards

The charity featured today on Thoughful Thursday is very close to my heart. I have set up 'Lily'-Love In the Language of Yarn in memory of my grand-daughter Lily Iris Gibson born sleeping 18th July 2010.

Our Mission is To bring love and a smile to all children in need around the world. We provide hand knit and crocheted items for children, mainly orphans but any child in need. We have teamed up with several non profit organisations in Turkey helping to raise awareness of premature births and have been asked to help provide knitted garments for several neonatal intensive care units. 

I recently visited three NICU's in Bodrum, Aydin and Izmir taking with knitted and crochet items that supporters of 'LILY' had so lovingly donated.
The NICU can be such a frightening experience for parents, and a couple of the mothers said to me 'it's so nice be able to treat our babies like babies instead of patients,' Another mother said ‘For the first time, you made me feel like my baby is real.’(her baby weighed just 1.75lbs). They were so thrilled with the handmade items and the thought that someone cared enough to make these clothes for their babies. While I was visiting the hospitals I was asked if we could help provide baby blankets, so this is our plea for today.




Please Help us to knit blankets for premature babies.
Here are three knitting patterns to help start you off.

MATERIALS: 

 3oz. of Baby or Sport weight yarn --- for each of the solid color blankets
1oz. each of 3 colors for the striped blanket
 4mm (US size 6) straight knitting needles

GAUGE:  5 sts/7 rows = 1" (stocking stitch)

PATTERNS:

Garter Stripes: Rows 1-5:  Work Stocking Stitch (K on Right Side, P on Wrong Side)
Rows 6-12: Work Garter Stitch (K every row)
Repeat rows 1-12 for pattern.

Basket Weave: Row 1:  P5, K5 across
Rows 2-5:  K the K sts, P the P sts across
Row 6: K the P sts, P the K sts
Rows 7-10:  K the K sts, P the P sts across
Repeat rows 1-10 for pattern.

Raised Garter Stripes: Rows 1 & 2: With color B, K across
Rows 3-6: Work Stocking Stitch (K on Right Side, P on Wrong Side)
Rows 7 & 8:  K across; change to color A
Rows 9 & 10: With color A, K across; change to color C
Rows 11 & 12:  With color C, K across
Rows 13-16:  Work Stocking Stitch (K on Right Side, P on Wrong Side)
Rows 17 & 18: K across; change to color A
Rows 19 & 20:  With color A, K across; change to color B
Repeat Rows 1-20 for pattern.

INSTRUCTIONS:

For each blanket: 
A.  CO 75 sts. Work 7 rows (4 ridges) of Garter Stitch (K every row).

B.  Work first 5 and last 5 sts in Garter Stitch, with one of the three patterns above, in
     between.

C.  When blanket measures 14" from start, work last inch (approx. 7 rows -- 4 ridges) of
     Garter Stitch.  Bind Off.

In a hospital setting there is a high turnover of clothing as it has to be washed at very high temperatures to protect the babies from germs therefore more often than not hand knitted garments that are given to the baby and stay with them, so there is no need for boil washing, but this means we need lots!

For more information you can find us on facebook https://www.facebook.com/LilyLoveInTheLanguageOfYarn

you can also find more info and a free booklet 'Knitting for Premature Babies' at this linkhttp://dianne-jones.blogspot.com/2012/05/thoughful-thursday-lily-love-in.html

'Lily' is supported by businesses and individuals in Turkey, whether it be donations of yarn, Knitting and Crocheting or transportation of completed blankets and garments to receiving agencies.

'Lily' has no paid employees.  All the good work is done on a strictly volunteer basis.

'Lily' wishes to thank all those private individuals and businesses which support us.  Without you, there would be no 'Lily' - Love In the Language of Yarn.  We work hard for the day when we are no longer needed to help keep Children warm.

Dianne Jones - Founder of  'Lily'- Love In the Language of Yarn.

'Thoughtful Thursday' Women4women

women4women-knitting4peace is a grass-roots organization dedicated to crafting hope, healing & peace one stitch at a time through non-violent compassionate action. Committed to the well-being of women and children they may never meet; they plant seeds of hope for a future they will never see. Non-violent revolutionaries armed with the power of prayer, crochet hooks & knitting needles, engaged in a compassionate fight for hope, healing, justice and peace for all women and children. No exceptions.
A non-profit organization founded in June 2006. They are a widespread community of knitters, crocheters, and supporters living in communities across the United States and Canada. Creating items individually and in groups called Peace Pods.

 Creating items that are requested wich are personally delivered to women, teens, children, and infants in global areas of conflict, including local neighborhoods and countries around the world. In 2006, when they were founded, they only made Peace Shawls for women. Since then have been asked to expand their work and currently create the following requested items:  

• Peace Shawls for women
• Peace Pals (boy & girl dolls) for children
• Scarves4Peace for children & teens
• Peace Caps for children & teens
• Blankets of Peace for families         

How to join in

Women4women-knitting4peace welcome any one and every one interested in crafting peace & justice through non-violent compassionate action. You can join by knitting or crocheting on your own; by doing it with a group of friends or a local Peace Pod; by creating a new Peace Pod; by becoming one of the Delivery Agents; or by supporting with your prayers and financial contributions. They would love to hear from you. Just go to the web site http://www.knitting4peace.org/ then to "Contact Us" page and send them a message.  

women4women-knitting4peace is dedicated to knitting together the global Beloved Community. Doing their work one person at a time ... one stitch at a time ... one delivery at a time ... one day at a time.

As they knit, crochet, or weave each item, pray for each other; pray for the recipients of the items created; pray for those who deliver the items; and pray for hope, healing and peace throughout our world.

For more information please go and look at their web site women4women-knitting4peace

'Thoughful Thursday' Knit for 'LILY'

The charity featured today on Thoughful Thursday is very close to my heart. I have set up 'Lily'-Love In the Language of Yarn in memory of my grand-daughter Lily Iris Gibson born sleeping 18th July 2010.
Our Mission is To bring love and a smile to all children in need around the world. We provide hand knit and crocheted items for children, mainly orphans but any child in need. We are a new organisation and have three areas where we need your Help.


Plea 1. 

Knit a Square For Syria.

Please consider making a square or two with your odds and ends. It's a great way to bust your stash. The squares will be joined to form blankets and  given to IHH- Humanitarian Relief Foundation to be taken to Syrian refugees in Turkey. Turkey has seven camps housing more than 29,500 Syrians  the highest number taking shelter in Turkey at one time since the start of the uprising some 15 months ago. 'Lily' - Love In the Language of Yarn has been asked to help provide blankets especially for the many children refugees. In the short time we have been established we have made a staggering 347 blankets - enough to give one to each child in just one of the camps in Turkey near the Syrian border. A gift of a handmade blanket will bring comfort and warmth to Syrian people especially children who continue to suffer from oppression and war. Your lovingly made gift will send a message of concern and hope to these refugees. Your participation is important.!  Any spare wool you have can be knitted into eight inch squares and then we'll stitch them all together into a blanket. No waste and someone gets a warm and colourful, cover for their bed!

Plea 2.

 For our second assignment we have teamed up with several non profit organisations in Turkey helping to raise awareness of premature births, and have been asked to help provide knitted garments for several neonatal intensive care units in Aydin, Izmir and Bodrum. 
Premature birth occurs in between 8 % to 10% of all pregnancies. Because they are born too early, preemies weigh much less than full-term babies. They may have health problems because their organs did not have enough time to develop. Preemies need special medical care in a neonatal intensive care unit, or NICU. They stay there until their organ systems can work on their own. Premature babies are amazing – they can grow and thrive despite huge obstacles, and catch up to full-term babies in both size and development. Please Help us to knit for premature babies.

Plea 3.
We work alongside the Humanitarian Relief Foundation and at this time they have 2175 orphans in their care here in Turkey, and 25,000 across 35 countries. Children who are deprived of the care of their parents due to wars, natural disasters, poverty or health problems.In September 2012 I will be visiting an orphanage in Kayseri, Turkey with a group of volunteers. The orphange is home to 115 children at the moment. I hope to take with me a parcel for each child. I am busy knitting a 'Lily' Bear for each child. Knitters and Crocheters I need your help! Age groups are 3-6yrs, 7-10yrs and 12-14yrs. Boys and Girls. Hat, scarf, glove sets for each child.






















It is the children who are affected most by the troubles in regions hit by conflicts, hunger and wars.

Please Help If You Can!

You can also find us at:  https://www.facebook.com/LilyLoveInTheLanguageOfYarn where I will be adding more knitting and crochet patterns, links to patterns and information updated daily.

'Lily' is supported by businesses and individuals in Turkey, whether it be donations of yarn, Knitting and Crocheting or transportation of completed blankets and garments to receiving agencies.

'Lily' has no paid employees.  All the good work is done on a strictly volunteer basis.

'Lily' wishes to thank all those private individuals and businesses which support us.  Without you, there would be no 'Lily' - Love In the Language of Yarn.  We work hard for the day when we are no longer needed to help keep Children warm.

Dianne Jones - Founder of  'Lily'- Love In the Language of Yarn.