A WRAP blanket is finished!

Just wanted to share with you some pictures of Dena's WRAP blanket. This Oat Couture pattern called Auntie's Afghan was a great deal of fun to knit; you start with a garter square, and then knit the rest in the round. Hope you can see the details in the photos!

How are you all coming along? Chosen yarn, fabric, a pattern? Something from the stash? Have you selected a book to send along? Share your thoughts with us!

Dena and Amy

Hospitals and Social Media

Some websites to keep in mind regarding hospitals (and hospital libraries!) using social media as part of communication with patients, family, and community...

How Hospitals Are Quietly Leading The Way With Social Media
http://blog.ogilvypr.com/2009/09/how-hospitals-are-quietly-leading-the-way-with-social-media/

WRAP - Update and Ideas

Amy has a few ideas from a friend at her hospital. She and her quilting circle make & donate quilts to soldiers, so she is "experienced" with this kind of venture. Here are her suggestions:

1) Whipstitch a muslin (or similar) label approximately 2"x3" to the back side of your creation with your first name and initial of last name. (Ex: Made especially for you by Amy F.)

2) When you include the note saying why you chose the book you've chosen, provide this e-mail information: alf726@gmail.com (rather than having to disclose your own personal contact info. This one was created espeically for WRAP use, and all e-mails will be shared with the group. Although our recipients may not own computers, many shelters, public libraries, etc. provide free access or possibly someone can help them...If you want, you can include Amy's work address - in case they want to write a note. Any will share with everyone, but it would be nice to have a central repository for anything we get.)

3) Remember LAP SIZE is best (baby afghan size is good, too) - more versatile as to age of recipient and won't get in the way as easily if it happens to go to someone confined to a wheelchair for much of the day.

(4) When choosing the book, it was suggested that picture books (for kids), graphic novels (for young adults) and light fiction/non-fiction are best. Even photograpic essay work... But nothing too scholarly...we want to be as flexible as possible with recipient pool. We guess that also means not too many romantic novels, right?)

Thank you!
Amy & Dena

Pattern Suggestions

A good site for free patterns is Lion Brand Yarns - easy afghan patterns and many of their yarns are machine washable (or you can substitute). Bernat, Berroco, etc. all have free patterns available, too.

Here are 3 patterns from Amy that are fun and/or easy to knit - we both I really love the pinwheel one and it works up beautifully in variegated or self-patterning yarn.
Pinwhee Blanket
Berocco's Artic Throw
And look for the Farnsworth Blanket pattern at Lion Brand Yarns

If you want to knit squares and sew them together (very portable & easy in the hot weather), you can find patterns at Knit-a Square. This also allows you to use up all those leftover skeins you have around or maybe pick up ends of lots on sale at your local craft store.

Have fun!
Thanks!Amy & Dena

Throw and Blanket Sizes

Consensus is that 60 inches x 72 inches works better for a throw.
Baby blankets often are 36 inches by 36 inches.

WRAP Introduction - Calling all Medical Library Knitters

Dena Hanson and Amy Frey have been knitters for years, and we know there are more of you out there. We would like to challenge our fellow librarian/knitters to participate in a project that will come together at our next (and subsequent) Medical Library Association meetings.


WRAP - Warm-up & Read Project

Many of us knit or crochet or quilt for ourselves, our families, our friends. We thought it would be nice to take the time to stitch for a cause. Many such projects exist where individuals knit squares to create afghans, but we know that putting together all the squares would be an arduous undertaking. Therefore, our "special interest group" asks any interested member to knit or crochet or quilt a throw (lap-size afghan) and bring it to MLA in Washington DC next year (2010) along with a book of your choice. We are targeting children through young adults, but you needn't feel so constrained if you'd prefer to choose an adult-level book. You are asked to (but not required!) to add a note about why you chose the book and include your name and contact information, in hopes that the recipient can write you back.

We will collect the afghans/throws and donate to charity(ies) in the DC area (possibly a shelter or hospital or multiples, depending on how many we receive). We hope to do this each year and donate to a charity or charities in our host cities. (Maybe we'll contact Michelle Obama and see if she'll help us distribute!)

Please make the throw machine-washable. Also, please place in a clear plastic bag with the book cover visible OR with a label indicating the title of the book (and reading level). This will simplify the distribution process and keep the "soft goods" clean.

If you are interested in knitting or crocheting or quilting a throw for this project, please contact either Dena or Amy. It will help to know how many of you anticipate providing a finished project. If you are not going to be able to attend MLA, but you want to contribute to the project, you can send to Amy by 1 May. (I'm traveling down by car, so I can load it up with the finished goods.) This is plenty of advance notice, so get those needles going!

Thanks in advance,
Amy & Dena