After the September meeting/AGM of the Lytham St Annes Embroiderers Guild; where we discussed all things business and were given a slide show highlighting the coming year's exciting events and workshops; I was thrilled to be shown these lovely ponchos that one of our members had knitted.
Using donated wool, threads and fabrics she quickly sews lap quilts or knits up twiddle muffs and blankets for the elderly patients suffering with dementia who often have long stays at the local Clifton and Victoria hospitals.
These lovely items provide warmth and comfort whilst the Twiddle Muffs are something that keep the patients hands busy and help to reduce their stress and worry at being in an unfamiliar place.
The latest item our kind member has added to her repertoire are these colourful ponchos below.
Here are 9 ponchos on the sofa having a photo shoot.
They were made in just a few weeks with left over tapestry wool and spools of thread that had been donated for the Sales Table at our recent exhibition in August. Ponchos have also been made with string and ribbon, so long as it is soft and not scratchy, pretty much any 'thread' can be used
I am told that the Ward Sister requested the ponchos as the blankets, whilst fine wrapped around a patients shoulders when sitting, were falling to the ground and becoming a tripping hazard when the person stood up and forgot about them.
Ponchos are a simple rectangular shape with the short sides sewn up and the top left open to go over the head. They are knitted on large needles using donated wool and left overs that cannot be used for anything else. The challenge is to make them bright and cheerful as much of the donated wool seems to be grey, maroon, navy blue, bottle green and black but our clever knitter uses a spool of Lurex that she was given and mixes that with the dull colours to brighten them up.
Several hundred ponchos have been made so far and more are always needed.
Calling all Members - CAN YOU HELP? Do you have any left over yarn, tapestry wool or threads that you no longer need? If so please consider donating them to this worthy cause and bring your surplus along to our next meeting/s. You can clear out a bit of space and it would all be put to good use to help to keep elderly patients warm and comfortable.
