Halifax Charity Knitters Covering local woolly needs Feeds: Posts IWK Health Centre looking for comfort dolls and teddy bears April 14,2012 by Olha January 27, 2016. Update from IWK Volunteer Resources “Good morning IWK Supporters! | would like to take a moment to thank you so much for your generous donations for our patients and families! When items such as comfort bears, finger puppets and quilts are donated to the Health Centre, there are really no words to express the positive impact these gifts can make toa patients visit Recently, an old post about our need for comfort bears has resurfaced —and while we can always use comfort bears/dolls, we do not have a current, urgent need for them. What we could use more of are finger (attpsshalifaxcharityknitters,wordprs y16/01/27/small-gitt-makes-big-differencel) as we can go through upwards of 1,000 in any given month. We distribute finger puppets to many areas of the hospital - for children having procedures, blood work, siblings waiting for their loved ones et... s0 they are well used! And we often hear that our patients keep them for years afterwards. Items can be dropped off at Volunteer Resources Monday-Friday 8am-4pm. ‘Thank you again so much for your support of our patients and families - you truly make a difference ith your contributions.” Kylene Mellor Manager, Volunteer Resources Below is the old post that was published in 2012. It resurfaced in December 2015- January 2016, [wrote more about it here i! pte 22s £0. Ifyou enjoy making those bears and dolls, Tam sure you will ind a good place for them. Otherwise, there is no need to make more for now, and if you wish to support the current need, consider making finger puppets instead. A message from IWK Volunteer Resources “At the IWK Health Centre, we provide knited comfort dolls and stall teddy bears to children who are undergoing surgery, having complicated ‘medical tests done or who just need bit of extra cheering up. These litte toys aze so popular that we simply can't keep a supply in storage - as fast as they artive, they are given away. Our goal is to have children leave the hospital with a positive memory of their visit, so they aren't afraid to return if the need arises. Whether this is done witha finger puppet or little toy, the end result is the same—smiles om litle faces,(https fhalifaxchartylenitters files wordpress comy/2012/04/bears-,jpg)We have the privilege of being able to distribute many comfort items to our patients and families, to help make their hospital visit abit more pleasant, and a bit less frightening, We are truly blessed in the Maritimes to have so many talented and generous craftspeople helping us with this, Inthe Volunteer Resources department, we often say that we have the best job in the Health Centre. Almost every day we stop what we are doing to admire a new donation. Anyone who gets discouraged with the state of the ‘world should come and do our job for a week, to see this outpouring of generosi ‘The knitted dolls and bears can be dropped off a the IWK Volunteer Resources 5850/5980 University Avenue Halifax, NS B3K 6R8 (They are located on the main foor of the women's site just down the hal to the left of the Protection Services desk.) https halifaxcharityknitters files wordpress.com/2012/04/beats ‘The members of a local kniting group donated these dolls and teddy bears. Aren't they cute? They ate also quite simple to make, You can find a pattem for comfort dolls (htsp/www.iwk nshealth calsites/defaultfiles/pattern for comfort dollsl pdf) on the IWK website. A teddy bear pattern (hiipiicuddlesukorgipattemsiteddy html) is listed on several websites devoted to charity knitting, the one T used (httpJlcuddles: uk.orgipattemsjteddy html http /cuddles-ul org/patternsteddy html) was not available recently, so here isthe pattern, Please note that the credit goes to the knitter who ereated it. Little Knitted Teddy With 4mm needles and Baby Double Knitting Garter stitch used throughout (knit every rov) Cast on 8 stitches and work 16 rows. Break off yam and cast on 8 stitches and work 16 rows to form other leg. Krit across both legs (16 sis) and complete 8 rows CCast on 8 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows. Work 8 rows, Cast off § stitches at beginning of next 2 rows. Now work 38 rows on these 16 ts, Cast on # stitches at beginning of next 2 rows. Work 8 rows. Cast off 8 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows. Work 8 rows, Using only first 8 stitches, work 16 rows and then cast of Return to remaining 8 stitches and work 16 rows and then cast off Making up.Fold knitted piece in half lengthways. The fold becomes the top ofthe head, Join seam around teddy, leave a small gap between the legs. Turn right side out Backstiteh a diagonal line across corner of head to form ears Stuff (with flame resistant stuffing) and slip stitch closed area left fr stuffing Embroider a face on teddy. Take a double thickness of yam and thread around neck, going in every few stitches, (making sue there are no loops that litle fingers can get ino). Draw up yard tightly to form neck and secure ends. Optional scarf With sa Knits Tie round teddy’s neck and secure in place if being given to a small child needles and thickn ws and then cast ff, sof yarn cast on 60 stitches This is my Teddy in progress. https halifax(https fhalifaxcharitylanitters files wordpress. com/2012/04/bear-3pg) \tpsuhalifaxcharityniters files wordpress com/2012/04/beatPosted in Charity, Projects | Tagged comfort dolls, teddy bears 166 Comments, 66 Responses just wanted to let anyone know who is making bears that I delivered 36 of them to the IW K today. They graciously accepted them, but ‘mentioned that they are now overstocked on these bears because so many people are making them. However if anyone is looking for something to knit and donate for them , They are always looking for the finger puppets, because they give those out to every child that ‘comes through there. The Bears only go to children that are in patients Norma Stevens on January 21, 2016 at 1.29 pou Ed otha on etry 24,2016 1 927 | Be ‘Thank you, Normat rs sonnasd on ssoynt ‘Does anyone have the pattern fortis litle bear please. Tcan' find ithere? a olka on Eetruuy 28207 a 12.094 Hi there, Yar tescems thatthe webpage where the patter was published isnot avalaleanymore..added the pater othe post pleawe theckitout onnaxd ov ebay 28, 20174 ‘Thank you. Ive gotitnow. tring one now Cheers Chest i Seot rom my iPad Brenda om January 13.2016 at 1020 4m | [started making them and have people in my community making them and the staff at Lord Beaverbrook school in Campbellton is stuffing and sewing them together. Great community projet for such a great cause was looking for anew hobby, and a way to give back. I saw this post about a month ago, learned how to knit, and have now made 42 bears. usually make one a day. My sister and Ihave already sent close to 40 bears, bt I still have over 20 here, and my pile is getting bigger every day. 1am on a disability, and don’t drive, so I won't always have a way to get them to Halifax. live in Oxford (about 20 estar ere concOUUtkinatncoaekrpsecani casinos! on 2‘mins from the nb border. I would love to find someone travelling this way that would be willing to pick up some bears for me. I hope they are ‘ok with variety bears, Mine are all done in different colours. Some aze done in several colours to look like they are wearing clothing, ot done ‘with fancy stitches on the front. Ihave even made a few reversible ones witha female bear on one side with a bow in her hair, and male on the other side with a bow tie © ona or antag 206 8 240 | HiNorms, det ‘This is incredible! [hope someone from the community willbe able to help your bears make it to Halifax! Brenda om January 13,2016 1018 an have 15 done so far and have people in my community making them and the staff at Lord Beaverbrook School in Campbellton are sewing them together and stuffing them....great community project for such a good cause Nota are you making the litle bea has pictured her? They ae so cue ive in Australia and belongs tothe Country Women’s "Association and we are knitting them for the local hospitals ambulance etc, wouldn't you local hospital's emergency dept or kids ‘wards lke them? [Fm actually looking for the pattern forthe litle bear here. Do you have it mang _ sects Cheers (Christina Kay Norma ‘on February 28,2017 at 7:3 aye yes I till make the bears for my local hospital. Ihave made close to 400, If you do s search for iwk comfort beats you should be | able to find the pattern however some ofthe links have been taken down, Rosalynd Kelly. om January 6, 2016 at 6:05 pm | Reply Thave lots of yarns kicking around and would love to be a part of this! Tam in the Annapo bears transported to Halifax, let me know! s Valley o if there's others who need their ‘otha on fanuary 72006 at 832 pm | Repl HiRosalynd, uae t's wonderful that you offer a ride to teddy bears from the Valley! © BWA otha Rose 7 anuary 52016 of 237 pu Just wondering what yp of yam isbeing used o make the Beas Imad out of eoton yarn Do the Bears have Em sold colours Ged pitta Keka otha om January 7, 2016 at 8:30 pm | Rep Hi Rose, uae Any yarn would work, the cotton ones are going to be pleasant to cuddle BWA ‘Thanks, Olha om January 5.2026 ot 231 ga | TThave made about 10 of these and wonder if there is another person who enjoys sewing them together and stuffing, That isnt my favourite part of knitting. Iwill continue to knit them, Oth om [onary 2, 2016 at 8:29 pm | Reply Hilynn, date wonder if any ofthe knitters would reply to your post? Leaving ithere, please check it from time to time. BWA ‘Thanks, Olha Lynn G Now that Iam getting email about comments I will follow closer Tiffany Lynn Goulah, I would love to sew them together and stuff them if you would like. & esti ere conco aU tUkinathcotakcpsecanb casinos onNorma Stevens om January 22,2016 at 1123 a0 1 dropped off 36 of these to TWK yesterday and they said they are now overstocked, They would prefer itf people made their | finger puppets Lynn G Let me know where you are Tiffany...we can make plans so you can get the Bears to sew together. Bee ‘Question: does it need to be these bears? Could I organize a drive to collect teddy’s in general? otha on January 9, 2006 at 927 pm | Repl HiBee, S You would have to contact the IWK directly, Volunteer Resources, 902.470.5692. Thanks! IW Kaylee ov January 4, 2016 at 9:26 as | Hi I cannot knit or crochet but do have a numberof stuffed animals that I can donate! q Is this something the irk would take? lh om any 2016 02:27 po | Beal Hi Kaylee, dat ‘You would have to contact the IWK direetly, Volunteer Resources, 902.470.6692. Thanks! IA Rebecca January 4 2016 at 2:48am | Re Twas wondering if anyone knows if there is a crochet pattern similar to the knitted one? Ifso, can you post it? Also, does the IWK accept fabric teddy bears? ota on nurs 2016 6:5 | Hi Rebece, uae “Many people asked about crochet pattern so I linked one inthe replies to others in this post, Tam not sure about the fabric but I don’t se why not? You can always contact them and ask Thanks! tha Nicole on lauary 11, 2016 at 1:10 pe | Rel From what know of eocheting you could mostly follow the same pattern probably using single crochet. But Il try it soon and ey to follow back up! Al on December 11,2015 at 10:04 ane | How isthe face embroidered? otha on Hi ali, ‘just used a tapestry needie and contrasting yarn, Make a few stitches for one eye, then go through the filing, make a few for the ‘other eye, and the same forthe nose. The mouth is made of longer stitches to make it like a smile “Tania Langford om ear 62016 at 12:16 0m | Reply found it easier to embroider the face before sewing the teddy together a Olha om tt Hi Tania, var ‘Thank you for sharing the tip! [never tried it before but it makes sense. IWR otha Nadene on December 72015 3:34. | have amily that has already matde multiple ofthese bears, Where abouts do take them? Is there someone I should get in contact with to-arrange the exchange o djs take them othe IW? Thanks so msc ) esti ere conco aU tUkinathcotakcpsecanb casinos m‘Otha on December 7, 2015 at 9:39 ym | Rel HiNadene, uae have updated the post with the hospital's address, you can also send them by mail BWA IWK Volunteer Resources 5850/5980 University Avenue P.O. Box 9700 Halifax, NS B3K 6RS Thanks Masi Wherecnsend hea? (Orwherecan op thm of atthe hori get ver es) kes ol ov Deen 20128 | a ‘Hi Muriel, Yas {have pied th pos wth ont are you canal end Sn byl $e DK Voner Rese Ses Unvery Avese PO oxo Hao NSB Thon aden itis on 50335 ‘Okay but do you know of a particular person to leave them with? Do we just leave them at the volunteering/information desk? EWS ‘Thanks!t oan Olha ‘on December 8, 2015 at 7:56 pm ‘Yes, you can just leave them in the office. & Stans nD 2150 Hey wondering bt het dol and were ean sed ese s : ‘Olha ‘on December 5, 2015 at 10:37 am | Reply HiShawna, & think they will gladly accept them as well aR Tonks Kimber De 2.20150 1:28am | [tried a few times to get the pattern can you send it to me please as Tie ola ov Dean 22 a Hi Kimberly, das You conemai met laintesgmacom dw end sou apsten jstincae Lamgngtapstiteasateeitt SF rakes it easier. (Disclaimer: the pattem is copied form the website listed in the post, the credits belong to the knitters who created i). Little Knitted Teddy With 4mm needles and Baby Double Kniting Garter stitch used throughout (knit every 0%) Cast on 8 stitches and work 16 rows. Break off yarn and cast on 8 stitches and work 16 rows to form other le. Knit across both legs (16 sts) and complete 8 rows, Cast on stitches at beginning of next 2 rows. Work 8 rows, Cast off § stitches at beginning of next 2 rows. Now work 38 zows on these 16 sts Cast on 8 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows. Work 8 rows, Cast off 8 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows. esti ere conco aU tUkinathcotakcpsecanb casinos onWork § rows. Using only first 8 stitches, work 16 rows and then east off Return to remaining 8 stitches and work 16 rows and then cast off Making up, Fold knitted piece in half lengthways. The fold becomes the top ofthe head. Join seam around teddy, leave a small gap between the legs. ‘Tum right side out, Backstitch a diagonal line across corner of head to form ears ‘Stuf (with Fame resistant stuffing) and slip stitch closed area lft for stuffing, Embroider face on teddy. ‘Take a double thickness of yarn and thread around neck, going in every few stitches, (making sure there are no loops that litle fingers can get into) Draw up yard tightly to form neck and secure ends. Optional scarf With same needles and thickness of yamn, cast on 60 stitches. Knit 6 rows and then cast of ‘Tie round teddy’s neck and secure in place if being given toa small child Dana ox Daunte 205 2140 Tot Scene How to ait, any Leathers ca cto version? oe $2 ina on Dene 225.1000 | Bay Hi Dana, & Please try this patter. Thanks! aw tpulwww bevscountrycottage com/beckys-bear him Dana on December 5, 2075 at 12353 pnt ‘Thank you very much! I will bein Halifax in January and will ry to get some made up before to bring with me. ek Ma Brenda on December 2.2015 at 829 am | Re Tye made some in the past and a local drug store would send them off to the IWK, but they don’t do that anymore and the cost of ae postage would be high. T would love to make more, but how would I get them to the IWK? Pgh ‘otha on December 2.2015 at 1008 ym | Reply Hi Brenda, Uae {don’t know where you live so my suggestions might be totally useless, Would it be possible o find someone who comes to Halifax? > [agree that paying high postage is not reasonable. Maybe another local organization would like to accept your knitted gifts? Jennifer ‘on December 2, 2075 at 8:20am | Repl Is there a crochet option? otha Hi Jennifer, ‘There isa crochet option! I just found i because of your request. The bear looks similar and the pattern seems to be adapted from the kitted pattern that listed, Thank you! ‘itpulhvww bevscountrycottage.com/beckys-bear him wie ov Dante tS Iss fil an nging ting Wha aout preci ats and oc Is where can hye doped oft Ba olka ov De 2 | a eg HiKeis, ‘Tam not sure about the preemie hats, you might check with the Volunteer Resources at the IWK frst. Sometimes they have aloton WF ‘hand, sometimes they need more, Their phone is 902.470.6692, Thank you! Erica om Deemer 52 am | Rely {lam nota kates, but Ido crochet. Is there a crochet patter forthe bears or dolls? would love to help ot By B Bnd! esti ere conco aU tUkinathcotakcpsecanb casinos onotha on Dauner 2.202 a 20 | Bey Hi Erica, vas {just found a crochet version ofthe teddy bear thanks to another crafter’s request. You might want to try this BWA hitp./www.bevscountrycottage.com/beckys-bear htm) amie om Deemer 2205 a 65. | Fm not very good at kitting but am wondering if could crochet some if Ican find a similar pattern? oe otha on Decne 2. 2015 a 51 | Be ‘Hi Carrie, vas Thave found this pattern, you might give it a try. Thanks! BWA ‘itary ow Deeb 1205 1223. | By ‘Thank You all So Much for donating your time to knit thise dolls and finger puppets. My daughter received some a few years back and. they absolutely cheered her up © Shannon or: Nove 30,2015 of 10:84 pn | "i there! I'm wondering if your program will also accept gently used, wel cared for stuffed animals? lhe om Deceniber 22005 at 753 pm | Bey dat HiShennon, would suggest contacting IWK directly and asking them because i's a medical institution and some of those the children are going & through the recovery from surgeries. Thank you for thinking about it Sheila om Marc 23,2015 a! 529 ms | Reply il cannot fine the patter fr the comfort dolls tried to go into the iwk. nshealth.ca but it won't lt me in. So is there another way of getting the pattem? Would love to know as I would like to make some ofthese dolls and send them of to the IWK. So I hope to hear from You. Take care. Thanks. Sheila. Oth (on March 25, 2015 af 10:0 ys | Reply Hishetla, yas ‘Thank you for bringing it to my attention. The updated link is here St lls 1 will correct ton the page, too. Best, otha jan spry ‘Are beats/dolls sen o all hospitals in Canada? tha om January 25,2013 e631 pm | Reoly As far as Tknow, they are used locally at the WK, And as soon as they are delivered to the volunteer services they are given to ge patients © ?, Debbie Anglehart om September 3, 2072 at 7:28am | Repl ‘The teddy bear pattern looks really simple. Do you have the number of stitches and yarn and needle sizes, Iust recenly started knitting for IWK but have only the hat pattern through the Internet so far. have knit several purple hats so fa, just need to get them mailed out Hopefully this week, ‘otha om September 3.2012 at 9:49am | Reply Hi Debbie, Yar ‘The teddy bear pattern here http /cuddles-uk.org/patioms/teddy.html calls for 4 mm needles and DK baby yarn. I usually use worsted or even aran weight yarn with 4 mm needles because it creates nice dense fabric suitable for stuffing and the bears turn out abit Digger. ‘Thanks for doing it esti ere conco aU tUkinathcotakcpsecanb casinos aPaulette (pj) Bergman om August 24,2012 at 259 pm | Is there a patern for the Comfort Doll? Tam pleased to have found your site and signed up for your newsletter, Thave done community Jetting, for years My daughter is 40, but vividly remember her Purple Crying Period; I thought would lose my mind, One afternoon my MIL stepped in, scooped Erica and me up, took us to her house, handed the baby to one of the uncles, and got me busy doing something else. It was alife- saver for both of us! ‘Thank you for your program. pj stitches! Paulette} from very hot and dry sw Missouri ‘otha om Agust 24, 2012 f 1024 pm | Reply Hi Paulette, Uae ‘You can find the pattem for comfort dolls here itpuwwew ork nshealth cafindex fin ?obiectid-(SEBS47C.DS9D-FBAA BASHISD775761067 ‘Thanks! otha (Comments RSS WPThemes. Guardar esti ere conco aU tUkinathcotakcpsecanb casinos se