On the anniversary of the birth of my sister's still born baby girl, Olive Stephanie, we decided to donate swaddling wraps to the hospital that took such good care of the family through the ordeal. 

We spent the weekend making these special baby wraps to donate to the hospital specifically for (yucky word ahead) fetal demise.  Isn't that just a horrible couple of words!?  Yuck.  

 Clothes for preemies are sometimes to large for some of these tiny babies.  If they are very small, their fragile bodies can't be easily dressed.

 

 We made several sizes from teeny-tiny to full-term. 

 

 We cut 12, 14 and 18 inch squares out of cotton flannel - washed and ironed. . .

Fold the middle piece of fabric in half, wrong sides touching.

  

Lay folded piece on top of second piece (right sides touching).

  

 Add third square over the top of both (right side down).

 

 Straight-stitch starting at bottom third of pocket and continue all the way around leaving about three inches open so you can flip the piece right-side out.

 Top stitch the entire blanket once you've flipped it right side out and given it a good iron.

  Attach ribbon to the back.

When families go through something like this, the last thing they are thinking about is what to put the baby in.  It was really comforting for us to have something so dear and thoughtful to wrap the Baby Olive in.   Please consider taking time to make these or something like it for your local hospital.  It WILL be appreciated!

July Wrap

This small baby wrap is not done yet.  I am looking for a simple, elegant crochet edging to soften the edges a bit.  The pattern was free and fairly simple.  A beginning knitter may have trouble with picking up stitches along one edge.  I will continue to look for an easier pattern.  I would rate this as intermediate.


Specs:

Plymouth Yarn Baby Boutique - 2 skeins

 

Pattern (Free): Fetal Demise Pouch by Betsy Dey 

 

Needles: US 3

Guidelines for Donated Items

Color

Pale pastel, white and cream are ideal. Bright colors don’t seem to be as comforting as white/cream.

Blankets

“Sadly babies are lost at all stages from the tiniest prematures to full term. We would like to be able to supply a blanket for each of these babies. Mums and Dads can nurse their child in their blanket for the brief time they have together. The mums and dads can then keep the blanket as a tangible keepsake of their baby.

Sizes can be anything from 15 inches (45 cm) upwards. We recommend nothing thicker than 4-ply for blankets under 20” and nothing thicker than double knitting for larger ones. Any ribbon, bow or silk rose added to decorate helps to make the gift that little bit more personal.” – from Cuddles website

Gowns

“These little ones are very fragile and it is kinder to all concerned if the yarn is no thicker than 4-ply. The backs of the gowns are left open with a couple of ribbon ties to close them. The sleeves are very, very short and wide to make dressing easier.” – Cuddles

Wraps

“Wraps are usually very like the blankets but have an extra corner which forms a hood to go over the baby’s head.” – Cuddles

Wraps and blankets are great choices for beginning knitters.

Under Construction

This site will contain links and information on knitting, gowns, wraps and blankets for babies who are stillborn.