Earlier this year I was approached by Ashgate Hospicecare about an exciting project involving some of my favourite c words… craft, challenge and Christmas (other favourites include cats, cake and cuppas – if cake is on your list too why not join us at our cake off too!) Obviously I jumped at the chance and have been busy spending my summer designing, making and writing up these six lovely patterns for you! It has been a challenge scattered equally with moments of despair and sheer joy, and like any worth doing it was worth doing well which I hope I have in the end – although a little later than planned. Yes I know it’s only September but we were aiming for August to give you even more time to make these lovely decorations for this amazing local charity.
I have made all my examples using Stylecraft Special DK in various colours that you can find listed in the patterns but there is no reason that you can’t use an alternative double knit yarn. If you want to use the same as me I can highly recommend Elizabeths Wool Shop at Clay Cross to find the full colour range at a great price.
If you want some company while you work don’t forget we have Woolly Wednesday’s that you are more than welcome to visit.
You can see all of the patterns below and if you want to get involved then scroll down for the project details direct from the organiser – Ashgate Hospicecare.
And last but not least I would like to thank everyone who has helped to test, correct and evaluate again during the pattern development process – with a special mention to Gwyneth who has given me the momentum to get them finished and had even designed 2 more patterns herself that should be available to download soon.
Hope you love making them as much as I loved creating them, Karen x
ps. if you just want to make them for yourself you can do you bit by purchasing the patterns online as each purchase donates £1.50 to Ashgate Hospicecare too!
The details from Ashgate Hospicecare
If you are a keen knitter or love to crochet and would like to get involved, please register to take part by calling the Community Fundraising team on 01246 233404 or email fundraising@ashgatehospicecare.org.uk
Once registered we will email you a code which can be used to download the patterns free of charge here and send you one of our display boxes. Then towards the end of November just fill your box with your knitted goodies and ask a local shop to display them on their counter for donations or ask a friend or family member to take them into work. We can put you in touch with a shop in your area that supports the hospice if you feel a bit shy about approaching someone to display your lovely handiwork or bring your full box to the Fundraising Hub at the Storforth Lane Trading Estate in Hasland. We can also provide you with a letter of authority to present to craft shops to request donations of wool to support your fundraising.
Once your lovely decorations have sold out or when Christmas is almost here, just bring your donations to one of the Fundraising Hubs at Hasland or at the Hospice, or send a cheque payable to Ashgate Hospicecare and write ‘I Got Crafty for Ashgate!’ on the back.