Wool-Aid is supporting Warm Hands’ fall campaign dedicated to baby blankets and socks.

Items are destined for the 400 children in the Innu community in Northern Labrador and will be delivered through the Warm Hands Network. These children live in a very isolated area and are often forgotten.

Within the community, items are distributed through The Next Generation Guardians – a group of Innu women in Northern Labrador working to help the next generation learn life skills and preserve and protect their Innu language and culture.

The Next Generation Guardians want to be able to give every new baby born in the year a blanket when they come into the clinic. This gets young moms into the clinic (a definite plus) and it sends some good kharma into the atmosphere when a teeny baby gets something they will have around them for the next few years. And, of course, because each of the children needs multiple pairs of socks, the need for socks is ongoing.

Our end date is August 31, 2010 for receipt of items at Wool-Aid, so that we can have our Wool-Aid contributions sorted, shipped, and received in Canada by the end of September.

GUIDELINES FOR SOCK KNITTERS for this campaign:

• Wool (at least 80% wool/animal fiber)
• Worsted weight or heavier yarn
• As a rule of thumb, the leg of the sock (cuff-to-bottom of foot) should be as long as the foot of the sock (heel-to-toe), up to a maximum of about 10 inches for the leg.
• Socks are needed for children of all ages, but tiny socks for newborns aren’t as useful because Innu babies tend to be larger at birth – more often 10 lbs. or more.
• There is a particular need for children 5-15 years old.
• Please tie socks of a pair together, with a bow at the top of the cuff, before sending.
• A sock pattern that incorporates all of these guidelines is Cozy Toes by Christiane Burkhard.

GUIDELINES FOR BABY BLANKETS for this campaign:

• Wool (at least 80% wool/animal fiber)
• Worsted weight or heavier yarn
• Baby blankets should measure about 40”×40” so that babies can be well wrapped. This is a guideline — something to guide us in providing a large enough blanket to wrap a 10-pound newborn in, knowing that this blanket will be needed to provide a good deal of warmth. They can be square or rectangular; they can be somewhat larger or a bit smaller.
• Please choose a pattern that creates a dense, warm blanket; a blanket that is lacy or airy will simply not be warm enough.
• Baby blankets can be either knitted or crocheted.

Suggested baby blanket patterns:

Mystery Baby Blanket by Christiane Burkhard

Granite Stitch Baby Blanket for Wool-Aid (crochet) by Debbie Cowherd

If you are able, a contribution to help share the cost of shipping expenses to Canada would be appreciated. See how to donate to Wool-Aid for details.

The Innu children in Northern Labrador will soon be warmer thanks to the efforts of our wonderful volunteer knitters and crocheters — and the tremendous distribution efforts of the Warm Hands Network, based in Ottawa, Canada, and The Next Generation Guardians. The Next Generation Guardians is a group of Innu women in Northern Labrador who distribute these warm woolen items in their community.

Thank you!

This Warm Hands campaign is for wool sweaters, vests, and worsted weight socks for children ages 7 through 15, as well as wool baby blankets.

Items are destined for the 400 children in the Innu community in Northern Labrador and will be delivered through the Warm Hands Network. These children live in a very isolated area and are often forgotten. Let’s make sure that they know we are not forgetting them!

Within the community, items are distributed through The Next Generation Guardians – a group of Innu women in Northern Labrador working to help the next generation learn life skills and preserve and protect their Innu language and culture, in a community.

Wanted: Wool socks, sweaters, and vests, as well as baby blankets

Deadline: January 31, 2010

Mail items to Wool-Aid, and note that the items are for the Warm Hands campaign. If you are able, a contribution toward final shipping to Warm Hands would be appreciated.

The greatest clothing need is for wool socks, sweaters, and vests. There is a particular need for items for children aged 7 to 15.

Wool baby blankets are also needed and will be distributed to new mothers at the clinic there. Please make them about 40” x 40”.

Guidelines specific to this Warm Hands campaign

• Knit or crochet your favorite patterns or try something new.
• Avoid white or very light colors. Feel free to mix a bright and cheery palette from your yarn collection!
• Remember, warmth is very important – Labrador has very cold winters. Hats need to cover ears, sleeves need to go the wrist, and torsos need to be long.
• Please match socks and tie them together with a bow at the cuff.
• Please use 100% wool or a wool blend (at least 80% wool content). Items will not be washed in warm water in a washing machine.