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Caring Crafts
Since 2001, Power Pioneers have been generously giving their time and talents to make hand-made items for hospitals, seniors’ homes and other charities throughout British Columbia.
We have many knitters, crocheters and sewers across the province, who make over 1,000 crafts each year. Many branches work with their local hospital or a charity to donate the hand-made items, or where they do not have a local partner they donate to BC Children’s Hospital (BCCH).
For our provincial program we work closely with BCCH, a major recipient of our crafted items, to ensure our gifts meet the needs of patients. In recent years the program has expanded and shifted its emphasis away from its origins in making baby toques for premature infants to include clothing for babies, blankets and pillowcases, slippers for all ages, and many other knitted items. The focus is on children more than on babies, keeping in mind that the hospital serves children up to age 18.
The hospital has an urgent, ongoing need for slippers – especially in larger (adult) sizes for older children in bed and visiting parents. Other needed items are blankets, pillowcases and finger puppets. The hospital also shares baby items with Women’s Hospital; baby clothing is particularly appreciated by the less-fortunate new mothers.
With growing concerns about infection control, stuffed toys are now given out only as a child leaves the hospital. Finger puppets, however, are much appreciated by children, parents and staff, and the hospital can’t get enough of these. All the kids who come into the hospital need blood tests. A finger puppet is a wonderful distraction, consolation and reward.
Blankets are a useful item: baby blankets, and those large enough to use as a wrap, or as a personal security blanket. For those who sew but don’t knit or crochet, fabric blankets, quilts and pillowcases are a great project. Pillowcases can be a colourful, personal possession, useful not only for a pillow, but as a laundry bag or a bag for toys or other personal items.
All our donations are given with the understanding that BCCH will use them as and where appropriate. They could go to cancer patients, those in the mental health unit, or Emergency, for example. Many items, such as baby outfits, are shared with BC Women’s Hospital. In some cases, items could even be given to the gift shop, helping to raise funds.
Want to participate?
Please contact your local Branch Rep to see how you can participate. Download patterns, and see more details on items needed, in the Pattern Library below, or feel free to use your own patterns for items on the list.
We also accept donations of yarn. Donations of yarn or your hand-crafted items may be brought to monthly Branch meetings, or may be sent OCS to Lorilee Koltai, Dunsmuir 15.
Branch Caring Crafts Coordinators
Select the Branch to find out how to contact the Branch Caring Crafts Coordinators.
(You will need to log in with your user ID and password first.)
Columbia Shuswap
Fraser Valley
Kootenay
Okanagan
Pacific
Prince George
South Interior
Thompson Valley
Tri-Cities
Upper Island
Vancouver
Pattern Library
These patterns have been tested and specially adapted by our crafters.
Slippers:
BC Children’s Hospital can’t get enough slippers in larger sizes for adolescent patients and visiting parents.
Classic Slippers
Garter stitch with ribbed toes, all sizes, Beginner – Int
Big Easy Slippers
Adult-sized slippers knit fast on big needles, Beginner
Crochet slippers
Plain design in all sizes, based on hook size, Intermediate
Blankets:
Used for children and teens, not just babies. Larger blankets, up to twin mattress size, are appreciated, including fabric or quilted ones. Baby blankets must be at least 36” wide x 40” long. Please avoid patterns with holes, and be sure they are tightly made so they can’t catch the smallest fingers.
Rib Check Baby Blanket
Easy reversible grid design, Beginner – Int
Ridge Stripes
Reversible design of stocking stitch & reverse stocking stitch, Beginner – Int
Seeds & Quarters
Easy, reversible in stocking stitch & reverse stocking stitch, Beginner – Int
Blocks
Checkerboard pattern; with lighter or heavier weight of yarn, Beginner – Int
Basket weave
Lovely woven pattern, Intermediate – Adv
Triangles
Reversible pattern of triangles, Intermediate – Adv
Diamonds
Reversible pattern of diamonds, Intermediate – Adv
Blanket with hearts
With or without hearts on a garter stitich grid, Beginner – Adv
Pillowcases:
Sewn from cotton, especially flannelette, or blends, these are useful for children of all ages as a laundry bag or a bag for toys or other personal items. No drawstrings or ties, please
Baby clothing:
We give layettes of new clothes to mothers in need and share these with BC Women’s Hospital.
Finger puppets:
An unlimited supply of these little toys with faces can be used to entertain, distract and console kids, especially during blood collection.
Toys:
BC Children’s Hospital has told us that, with increasing concerns about infection control, they have limited ability to give stuffed items to children. Other items are more useful, such as finger puppets. Please check with other regional recipients for similar limitations.
Special notes:
Tags: The first thing the hospital does is to wash all donated items. Do not put tags on, as they will only have to be removed for washing.
Yarn: Be sure to use only soft, machine-washable yarn. Children and young parents love bright colours.
Patterns on the internet
Beware – it is not unknown to find mistakes in online patterns.
Knitting
Baby blankets (avoid those with holes)
Crochet
Send in your patterns!
Do you have a favourite pattern that we don’t, for items you are making for Power Pioneers’ favoured recipients? Please email it to power.pioneers@bchydro.com or mail it to Power Pioneers, 15th floor, 333 Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 5R3.