Relief Share Shares It All
Learn about Relief Share and their awesome project, knitting baby cocoons!
Relief Share knits more than baby cocoons, but the cocoons really set them apart -- there just aren't many charities out there whose mission includes cocooning infants!
First of all, let's see what Relief Share actually does, because it's a lot more than just the odd knitting project. According to their website, Relief Share provides warm clothing and bedding for babies; quilts for the suffering; books and essential household goods for disaster victims and the disadvantaged. At any given time, they have dozens of projects on the go.
These energetic volunteers are determined to make the world a better place, and they tackle each new project with enthusiasm and dedication. Right now, their pet project is perfect for knitters: baby cocoons for hospitals.
What on earth is a baby cocoon?
A baby cocoon looks like a cross between a sock and a sleeping bag. It's a modern day version of swaddling clothes: tight, warm cloths that keep a baby feeling safe and cozy. The good people at Relief Share are knitting them like crazy, and as always, they welcome any help you want to give.
How do I help?
The Relief Share website has fantastic information on this latest project, including a precise list of what they need: soft yarn and other supplies for crafting, financial donations for support, and, of course, volunteers to knit baby cocoons and send them in.
They also have the rather brilliant suggestion of buying soft old sweaters at thrift shops and unraveling them for the yarn (I can't believe I never thought of that -- thrifty AND environmentally conscientious!). The one thing they don't provide is patterns, but fortunately there are lots of those online. If you need free baby cocoon knitting patterns, these links should do the trick:
-Twin City Knitties: a free and very cute baby cocoon pattern
-Amanda's Creative Attempts: a simple baby pattern [
-My favorite, the Baby Cuddle Sac from Nitti Needles
If you've never knit a baby cocoon before, you're in for a treat: these little sacs are unbearably cute, very easy, and work up quickly. Add to that the knowledge that you're helping a newborn in need and, well, it doesn't take much to get people excited about this sort of project.
I strongly recommend Relief Share. I'm so impressed with all the work they're doing -- it's a diverse and much needed charity reaching out to hundreds of people in need. If you want someplace new to share your love, Relief Share is definitely the place for you.
