UPDATE: We are now able to accept knitted donations for babies- we look forward to receiving your blankets and other amazing knitted or sewn donations

We are delighted that with your help our knitting stall has already raised over £1,000 for our Charity! Thank you so much with your support with this. If anyone would like to help our volunteer Valerie run the stall on a Monday between 10am – 2pm then please do get in touch 01322 428392. We are not holding our stall at this time while there is no visiting. 

Baby Blankets

They need to be knitted, not crocheted. They need to have no holes for the babies to get their tiny fingers caught in. Recommended needle size 8. 

The knitted blankets we use for our babies in the incubators are 50cm x 50cm (approx. 20 inches x 20 inches). 

Our large baby blankets for our cots are 75cm x 75cm (approx. 30 inches x 30 inches). 

Incubator Nests

On Walnut Ward, our Special Care Baby Unit, we lay babies on these nests whilst inside the incubator to make them comfy and help them get cosy and snuggled. Simple nests with wading, minimal seams and quilting are great as they are a bit more comfortable for the babies.

Nests should be made approximately 22" long by 17" wide.
           

Incubator Covers

We put covers over the incubators to shield babies from bright light, to dampen noise and to stabilise the incubator temperature. Fun or baby type fabrics work fantastically!

Incubator covers should be made approximately 40” long by 35” wide. 

           

Bonding Hearts

Bonding hearts are a lovely way for parents to bond with their baby whilst they are separated. Each mother gets a pair of hearts, she wears one next to her skin and the other next to baby’s skin. They are then swapped over so each have the others special scent with them.  Below are some rough dimensions of the finished hearts, made with 100% cotton fabric please.

They are double sided material hearts and are really simple to make.

Large coloured blankets

Trialled at other local Kent hospitals, the introduction of coloured and patterned blankets has helped reduce falls in elderly patients.

Brightly coloured blankets help show up the edges of the bed more clearly, as well as making the wards look more homely. Older patients, particularly those with Dementia, can find their way to and from the bed more easily. Patients get to keep the blankets they are given when they return home.

If you would like to knit or crochet a blanket then please make them patterned and with bright colours and 3ft square. 

Twiddle Muffs

For patients with delirium, these hand knitted creations help distract hands from pulling at drips and dressings. With buttons and detail inside and out to fiddle with they help keep hands busy. Examples of Twiddle Muffs are shown below.

Please bring any creations to the Hospital reception and we will distribute to the Wards.