Hi everyone!! I was taught to knit when I was a child but have just picked up my needles again.
I have a daughter that is 1 year old and she has a twin brother who was stillborn. Actually he died in my womb 6 weeks before delivery. Anyway, when we buried my dear son we had no clothes for him since he only about 2 pounds. So I have decided to start knitting and donate outfits to my small town hospital so that no other parent will have to live with the thoughts of a baby warped only in a blanket.

I will be back to show everyone what I accomplish. Right now I am just about done a memory angel, but I think I will keep the first one in memory of my son.

Sylvie

Since the date of the last post is 2007 I was wondering if anyone was active.
I can both knit and crochet but prefer to knit. I make stuff for preemies which I donate through another group I belong to. I use Auntb's pattern for her Angel Wrap a lot and like to make the Tiny Angel to go with it for the parents to keep.
Hello?
Pam

Inspired by you all, I have been knitting "on faith" (without a hospital for donations) since Christmas. The hospitals I contacted in my immediate area were not interested in more donations, but last month, I went to the inner city in Detroit, Hutzel (Women's) hospital and they were delighted, grateful and helpful. We saw the teeniest preemies of all. Our church now has two knitting groups and we are all knitting for the babies & their families.

A very exciting personal benefit for me is that I had stopped knitting 3 years ago because of macular degeneration in my eyes causing me to miss many dropped stitches and my work was a disaster. The more I knit for these little ones, the more healing my eyes are getting -- no more dropped stitches when I complete a work -- at least, I can see & fix the ones I get.

I loaded the video on our page :

Hi All,

I just wanted you to know that the Emmazing Grace Foundation is kicking off the 2nd Annual Remembering Emma Grace Donation drive. It runs from June 1 - August 15th and will end with a drawing to thank all of the donors.

For all the details please click here.

Thanks in advance!
Candy

Aunt B has designed a knitted version of the angel wrap bunting and has very kindly shared it with us!

It is now part of our free knitting patterns. You can go to the patterns page for the link or click here

If someone makes this, we would love to have you post a photo of it here!

We also encourage you to post photos and information of anything you knit for preemies and burial buntings as it provides ideas and inspiration for the rest of us.

Aunt B, THANK YOU!

Mama Bear

Hi All!
I apologize in advance for doing a personal update on here, but I am unable to get into blogger to post an update. I've been having this problem since I was hospitalized on March 26th. I was briefly able to get in several weeks ago. I can't even get blogger.com to load to ask for technical assistnace. I so miss reading everyone's blogs!!!! I keep imagining all the beautiful things you are making!

As for the update, I'm still in the hospital and it doesn't appear that I will go home until "Baby Brother" makes his appearance which we hope and pray will be a bit longer. The cerclage seems to be holding nicely even though I have no cervix left. He now has the cord wrapped around his neck. This combined with the amniotic fluid decreasing seems to be causing some decelerations in his heartbeat. If things continue like they are, she feels that he will be safer out than in. However, she says it's one day at a time right now. I'm praying for improvement and the opportunity to go home to prepare for his arrival.

Other than that, I don't have much news in the way of crafting. It's difficult to crochet after being in bed for so long (since Jan 4th). I'm just too weak. I'm attempting to do a full term sized blanket in a shell stitch. It's taking me forever. I probably have about 6 inches complete.

Hugs to all and I hope that all of you are doing well!
Candy
http://www.incasewingblog.blogspot.com

I made this gown and angel in honor of Lucy's birthday. I finished a little late because I lost the spool of ribbon I had bought for it. Somehow the spool of ribbon had found it's way under my desk (I have no idea how).

Lucy, I wish I could have been sending you Fisher Price little people or other little girl things instead.

Mama Bear

I'm hosting a contest for Aaron's Afghan on my blog. It is open to all who send a square for the project. The contest will be open until March 13th. Prizes include a pair of single point knitting needles, a set of stitch markers, a pottery bowl and four 50 gram hanks of some yummy Knit One Crochet Too brand Flureece yarn. Visit my blog for more details and good luck!

-- Ant

I also posted about this on my blog, but thought I would share a picture here too. These are my additions to the stack.

Marcia

I posted this on my web site, but wanted to share it here also.

As those of us who choose to do this work know, when a child dies, there are no words or actions that will make the hurt stop or go away. However, there is balm in knowing that others care.

A friend of mine is close friends with a family in need of such balm.

On New Years Eve a family with 4 young boys were in a car accident. Aaron, age 2, died from injuries received in the accident.

Their friend, Jen, is putting together an afghan for this family with 7" squares from all over. Sadly, there are more needs out there than any of us can fill. I know many of you have your own causes. If, however, this project happens to be something you would like to help with, please read on for the details.

The requirements/needs are very simple:

Jen is requesting 7" squares, made from a soft acyrlic type yarn, in blues or greens.

Contact for mailing address: njbush at netins dot net

If you would like, you may send a postcard along with the square/squares showing the area the square comes from. This is not required.

Maybe you have some left over yarn in your stash to use up, or want to try out a new color pattern or technique. Simple solid colors are needed also.

A simple way to make a square without figuring out gauge is to knit a square on the diagonal. Working in garter stitch, simple cast on 2 stitches. Knitting each row, increase one stitch at the beginning of every row until a side measures 7". At this point, begin decreasing one stitch at the beginning of each row until you work down to one stitch. End off.

Each square adds to the stack.

Thank you!
Mama Bear

A big thank you to Pink Dandelion for updating Lucybug and getting us back up and running. We had some spam on lucybug and the updates are designed to greatly cut down on this. Next we will be adding addresses of places people can send donations.

WELCOME to those who have joined since I last welcomed new members in August! My apologies for being so late!

We hope members will feel free to post messages and/or photos! We realize that sometimes it's hard to know what to say in a first post, so feel free to just jump right in.

We look forward to seeing what is being worked on or completed as well as helping out if anyone has a question or needs help with a project. Seeing what others are working on is a great way to share encouragement and inspiration!

On an administration note: Each member has the option in their personal settings of receiving e-mail notification of comments posted to the posts you leave. This can be turned off if you prefer not to receive replies to comments you leave here on Lucybug in e-mail. For those who's comments received spam replies, and you received a copy of that spam, please rest assured that while Lucybug forwarded those comments to your e-mail since it's automated, the spammer did NOT get your e-mail address.

May your New Year be filled with hope and kindness,

Mama Bear

Yay! I'm so excited to have finally found a place on the personal level where knitters are doing the same kind of charity work that I am. I'm a fifteen year-old, and I've been knitting bereavement items ever since the daughter of someone I greatly admire went on to be an angel. I know that Lucybug no longer accepts donations, but I was wondering if anyone has a charity in the southeast that would accept my stuff, (I've currently got 3 hats, 3 preemie buntings, 2 full-term buntings, and one little boy's sweater/booties bereavement set and no place to send my stuff!) Thanks soooo much, and Happy Knitting!

*By the way, I'll soon have some of my original patterns ready to be posted on the site...Where should I send these??

I just wanted to take a moment to wish all the Lucybuggers a Happy Thanksgiving. We're leaving in a little bit for our usual holiday craziness which includes A LOT of time in the car. Among the many things that I'm thankful for, you are included. You've chosen to help babies and their grieving families. Thank you!

Hi! I'm continuing to knit burial garments, and now I have no where to send them. The only other place like this I found was Cuddles - UK, but they have a few too many rules for me. :) Does anyone have any suggestions?

Look what came in the mail...... yep I cannot get the photo to upload. I have the worst luck with photos. Just picture a brown box.

*edit*

My husband had it tucked under his arm. I didn't even notice till he asked who sent me a package. This package came at just the right time. I needed to smile on a busy weekend. I'll try and get the other photos up loaded. Lucky in winning unlucky in computing.

*edit*

I can tell you what was in it any way. A wonderful set of double pointed needles with bears on the tips, an adorable tape measure. Justin has asked for it but no way is he getting his hands on it. This tape measure is going deep in my knitting bag in the organizing caddy. The caddy is prefect for all the little things you need but fall to the bottom of your bag. I'm getting organized tonight. The wonderful book and cotton you saw in another post. I'm ready to make a sweater for Kathryn from it, after the holidays :) Thank you again Lucy Bug I was really surprised. Ask my kids I never win anything. It was nice. Well back to knitting I have a bunting to finish.

*edit*

After much deliberation we will be making changes to how Lucybug operates. We greatly appreciate all those who have supported this blog and/or sent items to Lucybug. We hope that all of you will continue to post and support the intent of Lucybug: Helping to spread kindness and support to those who have lost a child or who have a preemie or ill child.

At this time Lucybug will no longer have it's own mailing address. If items have already been sent, they should arrive fine. We will compile a list of other organizations that accept donations and are willing to be listed on Lucybug as a resource for those who do not already have a place to send their donations.

This weblog will continue as a place to share what you have made as inspiration to others, share patterns for babies, build friendships, and encourage each other as we use needlecraft skills to help others. We hope to increase it's scope by encouraging anyone doing charity knitting for babies, living or bereavement items, to post here. The blog is open to anyone donating to a local hospital or charity or sending off to any one of the several organizations out there that support these types of efforts.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

Mama Bear

Today is the day to remember a baby whom passed away! A day to think about grieving families. A day to say a prayer for families that are hurting! Today is the day we shall mourn the loss of thousands of lives wanted or unwanted. Today is the day we mourn little babies. Today is Rememberance day!

I remember and will always my precious babies

Gloria Grace January 26, 1993
Mariah Belle July 01, 2000
I can't wait to see you in Heaven my sweet angels

Inca's beautiful hand-smocked gown set! It's very lovely! And I was surprised to see three darling little pumpkin hats. Inca, did you make those on a knifty knitter? If so, I bet my daughters would like making those (and actually so would I). Do you have instructions?

I so appreciate everyone who has contributed to Lucybug that I wish I could send you all a thank you package! There were 58 items entered in the drawing with their appropriate point counts! That's a lot of knitting, crocheting and sewing! You are all winners to me for caring and contributing.

For the sake of the drawing, our winner is knit-a-little! A package will be heading that way with the Debblie Bliss Book, yarn, and a few little extras.

Thanks again everyone!!

Mama Bear

It's that time! We will be drawing the winning name for our "Thank You Drawing" as soon as we double check that EVERYONE who wants to, who has knit anything for Lucybug that was not in the previous drawing, has their name and items included.

Pink Dandelion has sent out confirmation e-mails to make sure your items are included! If you didn't get an e-mail from her today please contact us not later than tomorrow so we can get the drawing finished and the the drawing gifts sent off to the winner.

Thanks to Everyone!
Mama Bear

I finally have my Lucybug Donation complete. I can't get a photo to post so here's the link to it on my blog.

I'm not sure what the problem is. I have shrunk the photo and have tried using the upload file/image button and posting a link from photobucket. Neither works. Sorry guys!

[edit: Here's the pic you asked for :-) - Pink Dandelion]

I decided to go ahead and join, because I wanted to beable to share my patterns with you after I design them! I hope to help in any way I can.
Glad to be here, Mary Glynn

Seems like it's been a busy summer for many. Now with fall arriving I'm looking forward to cool nights and cooler temperatures.

I tried to do a second copy of the blue and white gown (only in pink and white this time) so I could work on the pattern, but I ran into delays. First, due to defective needles, I was short enough double point needles in the size I needed to complete the sleeves, and on my second try I ran out of yarn. Hopefully I'll get what I need soon to complete those.

In the mean time I knit up this preemie size blanket using the Moss Diamond and Lozenge Pattern from "A Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns" by Barbara G Walker. I used size 6 needles and Caron Simply Soft Baby Sport in soft pink. It's edged in white with a size F crochet hook.

Mama Bear

Two packages arrived this week a darling blue kimono by Wool Winder and two beautiful little gowns by Rows of Purls (I apologize for not being able to link directly to the posts of the gowns - you can find them by scrolling down a bit). Thank you both very much. I plan to take a delivery to the hospital on Friday. :)

A few clarifications on the drawing.

While contests are designed to be fun and encouraging, I also wanted this drawing to really say thank you! That is why ALL items donated to or in honor of lucybug since it's inception, except for those that were already entered in the contest that cvenknits was kind enough to host, are eligible.

On the size questions, I wanted to acknowledge the extra time and materials that goes into the full term gowns and buntings. There is no perfect way to do this, so arbitrarily for the sake of the drawing we will consider the garments that fit under 6 lb babies for preemie size and the 6 lbs and up garments for full term size. If you aren't sure, and it's close enough that you THINK it would fit a 6 pound or larger baby, that's close enough for me.

Mama Bear

Pink Dandelion, Knit1 Mom2, and I have been out of town for much of July and August. Now that we have returned we would like to say thank you to those who continued knitting through the summer and to those who can join us and knit into the fall!

As a thank you, we would like to announce the "End Of Summer Lucy Bug Drawing".

The drawing is for a hardback copy of "Cotton Knits for all Seasons 25 projects for babies, children and adults" by Debbie Bliss, Two, 4oz skeins, of Lily Sugar Babies in their variegated baby dreams color, and a few little extras I have yet to discover.

ALL items donated to, or in honor of, Lucybug (knitted, crocheted, or sewn) that were not entered in the previous drawing are eligible for this drawing. So don't forget to enter items already posted about if they were not entered in the previous drawing!

Drawing Guidelines are as follows:

1 entry for each donated hat, pair of booties, bear, angel, or similar.
3 entries for each donated preemie bunting, gown, or similar.
5 entries for each donated full term buntings, gown, or similar.

Please notify us of drawing entries through email so we are sure not to miss anyone! To reduce confusion (since avoiding confusion seems impossible for me) only donations we are notified of in e-mail will be entered in the drawing.

Entries will be accepted through September 30th, 2006 with the drawing to follow shortly after.

Email details:
Send entry notices to knitalong@lucybug.org
In the subject line it would be helpful if you include the words "Summer Drawing".
In the body of the e-mail list what item(s) you are entering in the drawing and your lucybug user name.

Mama Bear

Please welcome Monica Shank, jeriksmoen, craftn1956, and Pam Dusek who have joined us here at Lucy Bug! It's great to have new members. We look forward to getting to know you :)

A reminder, if anyone wants their name on the member list linked to their blogs, just drop us an email with your blog URL.

The weblog help link in the menu on the right gives details on how to post, share photos, and more. Feel free to contact us if you have any problems.

Mama Bear

I added this tiny teddy to the blue gown set and put it all in the mail yesterday. Ant, look for a package soon. This is the first time I've made a bear like this one. I thought it would be a quick knit and I guess that's somewhat true, but it was very fiddly in places, especially when shaping the nose and ears. The arms and legs are knitted I-cord and the body is worked in the round. I used worsted weight yarn and size US 5 needles. If you're interested in giving it a try, you can find the pattern in the Summer 2005 issue of Interweave Knits. I'm not sure I'll ever make another one of these, but that's what I said about the first pair of socks I ever made and now socks are one of my favorite knits. Some things get easier with practice and maybe that's how this pattern is.