NEW FEATURE: Charity Idea Outpost

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Well I'm excited!  My family and I got together today to brainstorm ideas for this blog.  Lo and Behold we came up with the notion to share ideas with my readers for projects that can be done to help people in YOUR local area.  Whether its big city or small village we hope you'll find an idea here that will be useful to you!  In our family of 4 we have had plenty of experience being on the receiving end of people's generosity.  We want to share our talents on this blog to you make an impact locally or maybe globally!  Obviously, the first blog post in this series would be my own, Lyn, humble proprietress of Out of the Parc Designs.  I feel so privileged to be able to share some of my favorite preemie blanket patterns with you.   Right now I'm struggling to find how to post links in the new Weebly format so just click the link to my Facebook page you'll find everything you need there :) 

Many of you who read this blog regularly know that preemies have a special place in my heart!  Our littlest citizens come into the world tiny little fighters who often amaze me with their strength and inspire me with their brave hearts.  

First, maybe I should write about where you can donate preemie blankets.  Start with your local hospital, church, crisis pregnancy center, department of social services, WIC office or high school/college health center. If you cannot find a place in your own locale try The Preemie Project. http://www.thepreemieproject.com/  I wrote about the preemie project as one of my first blogs.  Its a wonderful organization! On their website and facebook pages you will find everything you need to donate plus information on preemies.  Preemie babies are babies that come into the world before they are full term.  My friend was just blessed with two preemie grandsons!  Wow are they sweet.
 
Now I have several great preemie blanket patterns that I use fairly regularly for donation purposes.  I will begin with JPF's Thermal Stitch Preemie Blanket.  Its got to be the most used pattern in my pattern collection.  The blanket crocheted using a bit of a twist on basic crochet stitches creating a beautiful, warm, "squishy", soft fabric PERFECT for preemie babies delicate skin.  The pattern was written by Julie A. Bolduc and it is brilliant the pattern can be found here:    So great for donation or a gift to a special little one.  

Another "Go To" pattern is knitted.  Ellen's Easiest Ever Blanket is archived but you can find it at:.  The blanket is knit in garter stitch using simple increasing an decreasing techniques to create a really cute blanket that turns out different every time its made!   I've used this pattern at least 4 times when I've found out that someone had a baby on "short notice" :).  It turns out beautifully. 

One project I recently used is the Dc Preemie or Doll Ripple afghan.  The pattern is located at Crochet Cabana and was written by Sandra Petit  So cute!  Sally LeCroix's  Bright and Bold afghan pattern is also easy, suitable for a beginner crocheter.  Its also a great way to use up some of those soft but small skeins of yarn that we sometimes have left over.  I can't think of a better way to use up yarn! 

Last but not least of course there is Myshelle Cole's, Small Mitered Blanket.  Its very sweet and like the other blankets is unisex.  I like this pattern because it is a little different than the usual preemie blanket.  Myshelle Cole has written many lovely patterns for preemie babies.  

Many preemie blanket patterns you will find are made for that preemie child who did not survive its entrance into this world.  My daughter and my friend Jill have both written blogs about this subject.  I wanted to focus on making blankets because no matter whether the child survives or not a blanket can be a special keepsake.  Personally my experience has been more with the preemie babies who have survived.  Like my grandmother Lefa Lillian Hyde Bennett.  

For inspiration I wanted to share a picture of one of my littlest customers at Out of the Parc Designs.  His Aunt is a very good friend of mine.  I was asked to make him a blanket.  When he came a little early, we worked as quickly as possible to make up a couple of projects that his mom could use immediately.  He grew FAST, and now he is a happy healthy little 2 year old boy who keeps his mom on the move!  

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