Comfortghan for 3 disabled kids - use up your fun fur and chenille!

[Tiga]

Okay, a little background here first -

My daughter was born 4 years ago, and shortly after she turned 1 month old, started having seizures. She was also diagnosed with having a muscle condition called hypotonia (low muscle tone). It's not that common, and I was really feeling lost and scared about it, when I found an online community of moms whose kids all had hypotonia.

Over the years, they've been a great support for me and learning how to deal with all of Ellie's issues. She's doing great now, in pre-K, walking, talking, singing, dancing and just generally being a 4 year old. The seizures stopped and she's a little slow, but she'll be fine.

Well, as life will be, not every member of my little hypotonia family has been as lucky as we have.

Three of my friends have children that are, as they say in the lingo, "profoundly" involved. They all have severe brain damage, and will never walk, talk or experience life the way you and I do.

With the Christmas holidays coming up, their moms are all getting really sad - it's very hard to buy gifts for 5 year olds that can't do much or express to you what they like.

However, my friend Karen's boy, Josh, does seem to like touching different textures. Imi, Jenny's 6 year old girl, also likes textures. Carson, 5, isn't able to touch much, but his therapists and his teachers do like for him to be helped and encouraged to touch as much as possible.

So, what I'd like to do for them each is to make an afghan they can lay on that has LOTS of different textures and colors. But, I don't have much yarn that is fuzzy or thick or anything like that. I haven't been crocheting long enough to get that much of a stash :eek !

If you all could help out by making 6 inch squares in acrylics (Josh has some severe allergies, and I do want these to be easy-care, as well - each of them are tube fed and that can get messy sometimes), that would be great.

Please use yarn that has a unique texture or thickness, like a chenille, or Homespun, an eyelash (you can combine that with a regular worsted weight for ease of crocheting) - whatever funky yarn you have laying around that you aren't sure what to do with. Colors aren't critical, but I'd prefer bright, cheerful, kid-friendly colors, of course. But a big variety of colors will be good for their visual discrimination!

I'd like to have a 3'x3' at least floor afghan for each of them, larger if possible, as they are still growing and will use this for years to come.

Their mothers will be very touched by this. Right now, they are talking on our group forum about what to buy their kiddos for Christmas, and one mom said she doesn't even want to bother, b/c it makes her so sad.

I know we all have a lot of crocheting to do with the holidays coming up, and a lot of us are doing charity work, as well.

Please consider these three families for some of your charity work this year.

[sem464]

I am definitely in!!! Just PM me with your addy & I will get them out ASAP.

[Seneca and Scooch]

You can count on me. :hug Your request touched my heart. I worked with children that were considered "severe profound" for a few years and each and every child still has a special place in my heart. :manyheart I'll see what I have that is bright and cheery with some texture and if I don't have it, I'll get it. :hug
Please PM me your address.

Coralie

[auntbubbels]

Amy, I was just starting to crochet a square for a afghan that I want to make for myself, but that can wait.

I am going to use some Homespun that I have here called Windsor

PM me with your address. I am happy to help - :hug

[HoustonHeather]

Would you be interested in about 2 dozen different sampler squares? They average 7 to 9 inches square and I made them up in different textured stitches, in shades of cream, black, and gray. I thought DH might be interested in a variously textured afghan but he said no thanks (he is blind, hence the textured stitches). If you're interested, I can either join them and send, or send them as squares. I can also work up some more squares in some Baby Clouds (super-bulky) yarn and Wool-ease thick and quick.

[Tiga]

Thank you ALL so much! PMs on the way!

[auntbubbels]

I made a square with the homespun and I am not liking it much. I made another square with caron simply soft that I will send to you as well.

If you don't like the homespun one, don't worry about it - :cheer

[Tiga]

I'm sure they'll both be fine, Janet! This is one 'ghan where looks come second to texture, lol! Ugly but touchable is a-okay!

[Nght]

The first *non-boring* yarn in my stash that comes to mind is Red Heart Plush, which is an acrylic/nylon blend... but completely machine wash & dryable.... acceptable for your projects? I have a whole bunch in the taupe color that came in a lot that I'd gotten on e-bay. Let me know if this will work & where to send a package, and I'll look and see what else I might have. :)

[Tiga]

I'm using Red Heart plush for the squares I'm working on right now!

I'm making a linked chains square that is striped, using the Plush in a peachy-tan color and RH SS in Carrot.

If anyone wants to join in, but doesn't have fuzzy, weird yarn, you can make a textured stitch square with plain old RH SS or the like. I'm going to do a few of those, too, for the contrast. Can't have it ALL be fuzzy and super soft, lol!

Oh, this is just so wonderful. I'm so overwhelmed by all the responses, both here and the PMs, and the yarn that some are going to contribute.

giant smooshy hugs all around!

[scc51055]

I have gone thru my stash and found a few different textures and will make a 3 of each and send them your way! it may be a bout a week or so....need to get making my ornaments to swap and we have my daughter's wedding in 14 days from today!

[Tiga]

Thanks, Sherri!

I've finished up one square, in carrot orange and apricot. I made it a "linked loops" square - it was really easy and has the coolest texture.

I'm now working on an offset bobbles square in RH Ocean. Well, I was, until I realized it was 1:00 am!

[scc51055]

I have six squares ready to send.....three of each different types of yarn....now i need an address to send them to! as soon as i get it they will be in the mail:)

[Tiga]

I pm'd you, Sherri!

Thank you so much! I wasn't able to get that many squares done this weekend!!!

[Nikkidear]

I was just going through my stash for my new yarn closet, and I found a skein of Bright and Lofty in Grape Crush. I bought it some time ago with a few other light and lofty skeins, but I hated working with it. It has a really great texture though. I'd be glad to whip up a few 6" granny squares with my P hook for you. As many as the skein will make. Just pm me with the address to send them to.

-Nikki

[Nikkidear]

I was able to get 6 squares out of that grape colored Bright & Lofty skein. Will get them in the post this week.

I just have to say what you are doing is wonderful. You are bringing the Christmas spirit back to 3 people that sound like they could really use it now. :)

[jossmom]

Please PM your address to me and I'll get some squares out this weekend.:hook

[JoBug]

Please PM me, I will work on a couple this weekend at work...shhhh dont tell the boss..hehehehe...I have some PINK RH WW and I am heading out to Hobby Lobby right now and will pick up some eyelash to work with it....

[scc51055]

The squares are ready to be mailed....will put them in the mailbox later tonight

[Tiga]

Squares from Auntie Bubbels arrived today - two, one in a nice varigated blue and white and one in homespun that is just lovely! They are both sooo soft and they exactly match the size of the ones I've made already!

I've got three of my own done in Lion Boucle (which I realized as I was working it has some wool in it, so Josh just won't get one of those in his afghan), and am making some tonight with Patons chunky (can't remember the proper name right now).

Everything I'm working on is varigated right now. I got some simply soft in solid colors in the mail, and will make those into popcorn or cluster squares after I'm done with all the easy-peasy granny squares first.

That's the nice thing about using super-chunky textured yarn - a plain old granny square is cool to look at and to touch!

[auntbubbels]

Ah - that is great that they are the same size - I guess great minds crochet alike!!!! :cheer

[Nikkidear]

I mailed out 6 squares of grape light & lofty, and 1 out of homespun. I had to use a really big hook to work with the grape stuff, so I hope they will be alright. The DC# is 0305 0830 0000 9535 2911.

-Nikki

[JoBug]

I got three squares out to you today in the mail, good luck!!

[Tiga]

I can't wait to get them in the mail, JoAnn and Nikki! It's okay if they are a little bigger, Nikki. I'm doing some squares in different sizes and will make some smaller to fill in - going for that mod new look, lol! That, and I've got some huge yarn, too.

[KellyA]

Tiga
I have one ready and one to make yet could you please PM me your addy
Thanks
Kelly

[HoustonHeather]

Sent your box Thursday, sorry I was a little incoherent in my note. :lol

Even medicated, I'm still sending you :hug

[Tiga]

Holy granola! I got it yesterday (haven't had a chance to post much, getting ready for T-day and all).

Thank you so much! You did nearly half an afghan, girlfriend! And thank you so much for the booklet showing how you did the stitches; now I can make some matching squares in the ENORMOUS amounts of yarn that people have sent me.

My hypotonia support group sent me $60 for yarn, and that was enough to get me enough to get a little color theme going for each afghan, but not enough to make a whole afghan each.

Then, one member, who is NOT a crafter at all, bought yarn and sent it! It was all perfect - 8 skeins of it.

And you guys here have just knocked it out of the park - over 20 squares so far and more yarn than I know what to do with, lol!

I may not get it all into squares before the holidays, so not all of it will go into these particular comfortghans, but I have a goal of making one for every kid on the group, eventually, so the yarn will go to a good cause. Not all of the kiddos are as "involved" as Carson, Imi and Josh. Kirsten, who I also hope to get an afghan to this Christmas (her mom is having a tough time, too) is more able, but still really disabled.

We also have Heather and Charlie, both in England.
Imi and Josh are in Australia.
Carson is in Hawai'i.
Anna is in Texas.
My Ellie is in Florida, of course.
Ariel is in Maryland now, I think - her dad is in the military and they got transferred twice last year! They do a good job of keeping her close to good hospitals and therapy, though. Kudos to the Coast Guard!
In New Jersey, we have Caroline and Maddie, not related.
Up in Maine is Jack.
Over in Pennsylvania are PJ and Jordyn and Kai, although his Dad doesn't post much anymore.
Kirsten is in Delaware.
Up in Newfoundland, we have another Maddie.

So, you can see, even though we're as close as a family, we're all so far apart, I can't give the Moms real, actual hugs. A comfortghan is the best I can do.

I cannot thank you guys enough for your help.

[Tiga]

I mailed out 6 squares of grape light & lofty, and 1 out of homespun. I had to use a really big hook to work with the grape stuff, so I hope they will be alright. The DC# is 0305 0830 0000 9535 2911.

-Nikki

I got these on Saturday, Nikki! Love 'em. The color is awesome on the grape - so cheerful!

I've decided to do a bunch of different sized squares for that modern look (okay, and b/c with all the different sized yarn, it's impossible to get exactly the same sized squares) and just edge the smaller ones until they fit in, or make the smaller ones into larger panels - that sort of thing.

I'm going to officially state that I have enough yarn though. It's taken over my bedroom. My poor cat can't sit anywhere for all the yarn, lol!

[scc51055]

tiga,
could you let me know if the 6 squares i sent have arrived? thanks a lot and let the kitty curl up in some of that yarn!

[HoustonHeather]

Glad you liked the book! I'm a big fan of "Teach them to fish... " and I wanted you to see how easy they were. :hug

And THANK YOU for helping clear out my stash, I had no idea what to do with those squares. :lol Until you came along. :hug

[Tiga]

tiga,
could you let me know if the 6 squares i sent have arrived? thanks a lot and let the kitty curl up in some of that yarn!

Today I got:

6 squares - three fuzzy, golden squares and three pink-tan-grey varigated squares from Sherri :clap :cheer

3 blue chenille squares and I lost the envelope they came in, so I don't know who sent them. I think the yarn ate the envelope. :think

3 hot pink squares from Bonnie Crochets (totally love the fuzz!) :hug

And a varigated ribbon yarn square from Joann Dillon. Many thanks - I HATE working with ribbon yarn; I always try to keep it straight :blush

Thanks to all of you!

I bet the maillady is wondering what is arriving in all these plain brown envelopes :lol

[scc51055]

the chenille squares were also from me. I thought these would give yo differnet textures......

[Tiga]

Okay, thanks, Sherri! I've gotten so many squares, I've rather lost track of who sent what. I tried to keep them all with their envelopes until I said my "thank yous", but between the cat and the four year old, well, things got a tad mixed up.

I'll take pictures after Turkey Day and post them; I'm just super busy this week - running to the airport, last minute food shopping, cleaning; you know - all the fun of the holidays, lol!

[JoBug]

I am happy to hear you recieved my 3 squares! Good lluck now getting them all put together...I cnat wait to see the posted pic

[sem464]

I finally got your little package sent out. I was having trouble with my gauge so I was only able to send 2 squares, but I did send some yarn also. Hope it helps!

[salos]

Hi, Tiga. I made a 12" square without thinking. Can you use it, or are you just going with 6" squares? I hate to frog!!!!!

[MrsCrochetPants]

Tiga,
I have some squares that I was hoping to put into an afghan but I read your post and I would like to donate these squares if you would like them. If you would just PM me with your address!

They are not textured but they are granny squares in Bright Colors and maybe you could use them as fillers or something! Let me know!

:manyheart :hug

[Tiga]

Update and Pictures:

I'm plugging away, but I just don't think I'm going to get done by Christmas. Bah. I had to make two BICOs, and I had started doing the Mystery Crochetalong, but now I'm just copying the directions for it down and will catch up in a few days.

Here are pictures of all the squares you guys sent, along with all the yarn that was sent, too. I'm not sure who belongs to which square now, because my little "helper" threw out all the envelopes, with help from Grammie. They meant well (thought they were cleaning up a "mess" for me), sigh.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v362/Alneget/Crochet%20Photos/20061130_0135-1.jpg

These came from Mary, just yesterday! Thanks so much! I love these so much, I want them for myself, lol! What colors did you use?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v362/Alneget/Crochet%20Photos/20061130_0136-1.jpg

These are all the squares that have been sent, and the ones I've done myself.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v362/Alneget/Crochet%20Photos/20061130_0137-1.jpg

This is yarn from Crochetville and some that I bought with the money my friends sent me. Think it's enough?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v362/Alneget/Crochet%20Photos/20061117_IMG_0074.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v362/Alneget/Crochet%20Photos/20061111_IMG_0059.jpg

Close ups of some of the yarn; first picture is donated yarn and the second picture is what I was able to buy with the money from my friends.

[Tiga]

Big hugs and thank yous to Ellie13 for the GIANT box of yarn I picked up yesterday - it's all amazing! I'll use some of the plain worsted weight stuff as a base for all the awesome fun fur I've been sent.

And big hugs and thanks to Mrs. Crochetpants for the fantastic squares she sent - it's almost enough to do one lapghan! I love the colors, especially the orange and the purple.

I might just get at least one done for Christmas now! I'm totally remotivated!!!

[salos]

I used Bernat soft boucle, on sale last year at Hobby Lobby. Sorry, I don't know what the colors were. Except the blue package says "carnival shades." The brown is a lot easier to work with than the blue. Altogether I would never work with this yarn again. Now you know I'm your friend, Tiga. :hug

Who is the delightful young lady in your photo? Is she your daughter? How pretty she is!

[MrsCrochetPants]

Big hugs and thank yous to Ellie13 for the GIANT box of yarn I picked up yesterday - it's all amazing! I'll use some of the plain worsted weight stuff as a base for all the awesome fun fur I've been sent.

And big hugs and thanks to Mrs. Crochetpants for the fantastic squares she sent - it's almost enough to do one lapghan! I love the colors, especially the orange and the purple.

I might just get at least one done for Christmas now! I'm totally remotivated!!!


I'm soo glad you could use them! Glad I could help!

[Tiga]

Well, I'm still churning away with squares - I'll upload some more pictures later this week when I get them more sorted out.

I got some of those Ziploc Big Bags (great for yarn storage, btw), for all the squares and yarn, so it's been easier to get to everything (I had been storing it all in laundry baskets, and was having to dump stuff out onto my bed every time I wanted to find a certain color of yarn.

I'm hoping to get even more organized when school starts back tomorrow for my daughter.

I have to say, this project has really become a true labor of love. It's taking so much longer than I thought it would, mostly b/c I'm such a perfectionist, lol! I want these blankets to be so nice for the kiddos.

AND because you all sent me so much yarn!!! I want to make at least one square for each afghan out of each skein that was sent, and boy, do I have a lot of skeins of yarn to go through.

Now that Christmas is over, and I'm officially DONE with making gifts, I should be able to finish these in time for the Christmas in Spring gift swap my friends and I have decided to have. We wanted to do a Christmas gift swap, but there was just too much going on for too many of us. Such is life, right?

Anyway, I just wanted to let everyone know that this project is still ongoing, albeit slow going, and that no one's yarn or squares are sitting around going to waste or going to other things.

Well, some of the scraps later on might go to some other charity afghans, but I figured that's a good use for the yarn and no one should mind that. Anyway, off to work on a square before I fall asleep!