Kidz First Children’s Hospital is one of the health services provided by Counties Manukau District Health Board.

The South Auckland Health Foundation is a registered charitable trust that supports and raises funds for these health services. One of the ways it does this is through their Wool Programme.

Here’s how your knitting can help this valuable project:

Wool Programme – Guidelines

Any new knitted or crochet garments, sizes from prem up to 2 years, i.e. from 30cm to 50cm (12inch to 20 inch) chest size

Any colour, any size and preferably machine washable wool or acrylic, double knit, 3 or 4 ply is most welcome.

Small toys: Knitted, crochet or fabric

Cot or bassinette sized blankets and cuddle rugs, crocheted or knitted, or polar fleece.

Blankets: Useful sizes are (approximate only):

Cot blanket – 120 x 150 cm (48 x 60 inches)
Bassinette blankets – 90 x 120 cm (36 x 48 inches)
Cuddle rugs – 1 metre square (40 inches square)
Car seat rugs – 50 x 60cm (20 x 24 inches)

Polar fleece: You can work buttonhole stitch or a crochet edging around the outside, or overlock.

Peggy squares:

Make 15cm square, 30 stitches on size 8 (4mm) needles with double knitting wool. Work 60 rows garter stitch (every row knit). Cast off. You can either knit individual squares and sew them up into a blanket

6 squares by 8 squares – 90 x 120cm
7 squares each way – approximate 1 metre square.

OR

You can knit in strips changing colour every 15cm to make squares. Need 6 strips of 8 squares, or 7 strips of 7 squares – sew the strips together to make blanket.

The squares can be 20 cm square, 40 stitches on size 8(4mm) needles with double knitting wool. Work 80 rows garter stitch (every row knit). Cast off.

25 squares arranged 5 x 5 will make a 1 metre square rug.
Or make 5 strips of 5 squares each, to save some sewing up.

All blankets, crochet, knitted, or polar fleece in any colours, no matter how bright, and any design, are very welcome.

DOWNLOADS
There are many free patterns available on the Internet which you can find via Google, or Ravelry (if you’re a member)

SAHF Wool Programme Guidelines

Beanie Pattern
Creative Fibre Baby Cap pattern

One Strand Booties
Seamless Baby Booties

Garter Stitch Baby Kimono
One Piece Wrap Top (this is a short sleeved item, so lengthen the arms for a winter piece)
Clementine’s Baby Kimono (you must be a Ravelry member to view this pattern)

Angel’s Pocket (for the little ones who don’t make it)

When your group has a stack of items, please email us to arrange collection.