Kathy Zeblisky's Afghan

Check out Kathy Zeblisky's afghan - and the neat book going with it! Kathy is the Medical Librarian at Phoenix Children's Hospital in Arizona.

Helen Ann Brown Epstein's blankets

Helen Ann Brown Epstein sent a picture of her with her mother-in-law, Beatrice Epstein. She says "Mom has made 4 small blankets and I have made one larger one for this great cause. Both of us have been knitting for a long time and welcomed this opportunity to bring comfort to the families at the Ronald MacDonald House in Washington, D.C." Helen Ann is Head, Education and Outreach at the Weill Cornell Medical Library in New York City.

Deniz Ender and the Ladies of the American-Turkish Association

Deniz Ender and the Ladies of the American-Turkish Association contributed 9 blankets, these among them. Deniz is at the Rex Healthcare Library in Raleigh, North Carolina, and her colleagues in crafting are Tezer Andrews, Ayse Keskiner, Ece Guralp, Ayse Peksenar, Tulay Kabaca, Dilek Tapici, and Serap Olgun.

Deb Miller's Cat Quilt

Deb Miller at the Education Resource Center, Chambersburg Hospital in Chambersburg, PA created this kitty quilt.

More Drop Off Information

Dear All,

To help address the variety of concerns, can you:

1. Please take a photo(s) of your finished product (along with the book) and send to either of us beforehand. We will post to the blog and, if we get them in advance, Amy will make a nice poster to display at the business meeting.
2. Put your finished product in a plastic bag (clear) before putting into mailer. This will not only keep it clean(er), but, if we do have time to unwrap before handing over to Ronald McDonald House, it will keep the items together.

This is the first year for the WRAP project, so we're working out the details. Next year should be easier. Thanks for your enthusiasm, ideas, participation!
Amy & Dena
denahanson@sbcglobal.net
amy.frey@gmail.com

The Drop Off

It's time to thinking about gathering our projects. For those of you that will not make it to the MLA meeting in Washington, DC, please send your blankets and books to Amy Frey at home: 15 East Normandy Drive, West Hartford, CT 06107 (and please mark WRAP on outside of package so she doesn't open it!) by MAY 13.

For those of you that can join us at MLA this year, there are two times you can drop off your projects:

1. At the HLS Committee meetings, on Sunday, May 23 from 7:30 am - 9 am outside room 2A, 2nd Floor, ConnecticutHilton (we hope to provide a drop box)
   
2. At the HLS business meeting, Sunday May 23, from 6 pm - 7:30 pm, outside International Ballroom East, Concourse Level (again, hope to have a drop box)
   

If you are unable to drop off your project at either of these times, please leave a message on the Message Board for either Amy Frey or Dena Hanson. Include your CELL PHONE # or Hotel & Room Number so we can contact you.

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