Learn to crochet?

If you remember the two pink rabbit hats I crocheted a while back, I had a pic of baby wearing hers today
IMG-20210417-WA0005.jpg
 
Dave ShiftZZ posted this so I have taken the liberty of reposting here as I am sure it will be of interest. I know my Dad loves the blanket I made for him.

Please expand the quoted post and click on both the attachments :)

ShiftZZ said:
Mother fiddles a lot, so I looked for a 'dementia blanket' anyhow on Facebook a retired nurse down on the South Coast is making these and offering them for free, I have asked her for one and I have offered to cover the cost...
Some people are really good and kind...

View attachment 487464

If she likes it Ill order her a bigger one like this.

View attachment 487465
Expensive but worth it.. I hope
£63
Click to expand...
 
Puddleduck said:
Dave ShiftZZ posted this so I have taken the liberty of reposting here as I am sure it will be of interest. I know my Dad loves the blanket I made for him.

Please expand the quoted post and click on both the attachments :)
Click to expand...
How much? I can make one of the big ones with odds and sods out of my craft room! Wouldn't dream of charging anything.
 
Just had a quick google...

www.goldencarers.com

How to Make Sensory Blankets for Dementia Care

Sensory Mats or Fidget Blankets provide a soothing and stimulating activity for people living with dementia or recovering from strokes.
www.goldencarers.com www.goldencarers.com

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This is my version of Persian Tiles - looking a bit like Passion Flower. Although I blocked every shape I may give it a gentle wash to see if that settles it.
 

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Here is my first go at a sensory blanket. I think the background is a bit bright so for the next one I may use the same fabric wrong side up to tone it down - or add a different plain fabric as a stripe. The little pocket has a wooden giraffe bead on a piece of elastic (firmly sewn in). The back is part of a fleece blanket (bought for the fleece from IKEA a few years back) and I attached ribbon "apron" ties so that when it's worn the ice creams are the correct way up from the wearer's perspective. I also left the IKEA label sewn inside so it crinkles when rubbed.

I stitched three sides with right sides together and turned it right side out before flipping the fleece over to cover the bottom edge - more fringing to fiddle with.

Anyway it's on it's way and I hope will be enjoyed by someone. I think it is best of strangers make this type of thing just in case it is rejected as when one spends time thinking about something and then making it rejection can be hurtful (yes, even when you are aware that the person rejecting is as they are).

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I am writing up family history and on one census my relative is described as "mentally defective". That made me weep .... I know she died in 1901 but to see those words made me realise how cruel people can be.

Another ancestor was a suicide (Great-Grandfather's brother) and was always talked about in whispers as he had "done something terribly wrong". I found out he had been in the Boer War and had been one of the people who discovered the concentration camps .... then he went through WWI, had serious and life changing injuries - not once but twice and was unable to find work after he got home. He had been a very handsome man by all accounts but lost so much of his face, had a back injury and also lost part of an arm ........ At the inquest his wife said he was depressed and furious that she had to go to work to support the family and he could see no future. It must have affected his children as well because his son had mental health issues and his daughter was admitted to "an asylum for the insane". Just so so so sad and then have the family whisper and remain cold and cruel. By writing up his story and his background I hoped for some understanding. I know my Mum was very moved when she found out as she had always been told he was "crackers" and it was a tainted seed.

Tomorrow I will make up more fiddle aprons - I have more ideas and so many odds and ends. The local unit in Kelso might be happy to have them - I can always ask and leave them at the door letting the staff know they are from a covid free environment.
 
Puddleduck said:
I am writing up family history and on one census my relative is described as "mentally defective". That made me weep .... I know she died in 1901 but to see those words made me realise how cruel people can be.

Another ancestor was a suicide (Great-Grandfather's brother) and was always talked about in whispers as he had "done something terribly wrong". I found out he had been in the Boer War and had been one of the people who discovered the concentration camps .... then he went through WWI, had serious and life changing injuries - not once but twice and was unable to find work after he got home. He had been a very handsome man by all accounts but lost so much of his face, had a back injury and also lost part of an arm ........ At the inquest his wife said he was depressed and furious that she had to go to work to support the family and he could see no future. It must have affected his children as well because his son had mental health issues and his daughter was admitted to "an asylum for the insane". Just so so so sad and then have the family whisper and remain cold and cruel. By writing up his story and his background I hoped for some understanding. I know my Mum was very moved when she found out as she had always been told he was "crackers" and it was a tainted seed.

Tomorrow I will make up more fiddle aprons - I have more ideas and so many odds and ends. The local unit in Kelso might be happy to have them - I can always ask and leave them at the door letting the staff know they are from a covid free environment.
Click to expand...
I know I'm a stupid softy, but your story made me cry. I often wish I could go back and hug and talk to some of my family members who went through so much and I wanted to do the same with yours too. :(

I guess a lesson can be learned for us though. If someone needs support, just be there for them... remember you don't know the full story until you listen to their side.. .. I am lucky that I have good friends who I can talk to and can dismiss anyone who judges, but in those days so many suffered.

These blankets are a way of undoing some of the damage in the past. You are amazing.,x

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Puddleduck said:
I am writing up family history and on one census my relative is described as "mentally defective". That made me weep .... I know she died in 1901 but to see those words made me realise how cruel people can be.

Another ancestor was a suicide (Great-Grandfather's brother) and was always talked about in whispers as he had "done something terribly wrong". I found out he had been in the Boer War and had been one of the people who discovered the concentration camps .... then he went through WWI, had serious and life changing injuries - not once but twice and was unable to find work after he got home. He had been a very handsome man by all accounts but lost so much of his face, had a back injury and also lost part of an arm ........ At the inquest his wife said he was depressed and furious that she had to go to work to support the family and he could see no future. It must have affected his children as well because his son had mental health issues and his daughter was admitted to "an asylum for the insane". Just so so so sad and then have the family whisper and remain cold and cruel. By writing up his story and his background I hoped for some understanding. I know my Mum was very moved when she found out as she had always been told he was "crackers" and it was a tainted seed.

Tomorrow I will make up more fiddle aprons - I have more ideas and so many odds and ends. The local unit in Kelso might be happy to have them - I can always ask and leave them at the door letting the staff know they are from a covid free environment.
Click to expand...
My great grandmother was in the workhouse in 1911 described as 'feeble minded'. I think she had post natal depression. There didn't seem to be any tolerance for anyone who didn't fit in with what was expected in society in those days.
 
Just remembered. When mum and dad had alzheimers, I bought mum a rag doll. When she was a child, they had no money for food let alone toys.

She was soo excited with her doll, named it and wouldn't part with it for a moment.

I took some smaller rag dolls to the dementia care home and the old ladies there were ecstatic too. So easy to make from old skirts/shirts etc.
 
movan said:
These blankets are a way of undoing some of the damage in the past. You are amazing.,x
Click to expand...
No Joy, I am a flawed human being who makes more than her fair share of errors but I do try to do the "right thing" when I am able. I also believe that if you can do someone a good turn then you should do so.
 
Janine said:
My great grandmother was in the workhouse in 1911 described as 'feeble minded'. I think she had post natal depression. There didn't seem to be any tolerance for anyone who didn't fit in with what was expected in society in those days.
Click to expand...

Even women who were single and pregnant got "put away". Just because it happened 100 years ago doesn't make it any easier.

movan said:
Just remembered. When mum and dad had alzheimers, I bought mum a rag doll. When she was a child, they had no money for food let alone toys.

She was soo excited with her doll, named it and wouldn't part with it for a moment.

I took some smaller rag dolls to the dementia care home and the old ladies there were ecstatic too. So easy to make from old skirts/shirts etc.
Click to expand...

That's a good idea! What did you use for stuffing?
 
Puddleduck said:
That's a good idea! What did you use for stuffing?
Click to expand...
I don't know whther it's acceptable or not, but I had/have kept a couple of old duvets and rather than throw them away I use them as stuffing. (Currently for crocheted toys.)

Saw a fabulous Snow hare on a cafe counter once..... made from an old duvet. :)

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movan said:
I don't know whther it's acceptable or not, but I had/have kept a couple of old duvets and rather than throw them away I use them as stuffing. (Currently for crocheted toys.)

Saw a fabulous Snow hare on a cafe counter once..... made from an old duvet. :)
Click to expand...
I have new cushion stuffing so could use that as it is washable. Or if I made a "Flat Stanley" type of doll a few layers of quilt wadding would work!

Flat Stanley templates:

www.template.net

19+ Free Flat Stanley Templates & Colouring Pages to Print

www.template.net www.template.net

and felt dolls

delilahiris.com

Felt Doll Patterns - Sew Your Own Handmade Dolls

Printable cloth and felt doll patterns for creative doll making. Find e-patterns for everything from felt and tiny dolls, to plushies and Waldorf animals.
delilahiris.com delilahiris.com
 
Puddleduck said:
I have new cushion stuffing so could use that as it is washable. Or if I made a "Flat Stanley" type of doll a few layers of quilt wadding would work!
Click to expand...
Sounds good. You should see their little faces light up when they are given their dolls. :)...... but Lord help the carer should she try and take it off them whilst they go in for dinner. :)
 
One thing I don't have is felt but when the scrap store reopens I will be able to get some - you never know what will be available when you go there as it is all recycling stuff, either donated from house clearances or shop clearances or factory left overs.

Opening Times | Online Borders

onlineborders.org.uk onlineborders.org.uk
Closed at the moment due to the pandemic.

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I made a second sensory blanket yesterday and will take it to our local dementia care facility with a note asking for feedback and letting them know I can make more if they are found to be useful.

I've tried to make sure that everything is secure - ribbons tied and sewn on at least one end. Beads on narrow ribbon (ribbon tied and sewn). I also left a crinkly label inside the blanket I sent to Dave and the second one has a small piece of bubble wrap inside and caught into one of the seams. The bubble wrap was from a fruit punnet. I also attached the netting from a bag of babybel making sure it was well secured at the ends.
 
I just had a call from the Care Unit saying they have already given it to a resident and they can use as many as I can make :) I was so afraid they would say it was of no use. Also they are putting a photo on their facebook page - I asked that the use only my first name.

Busy days ahead as I use up some of my odds and ends.
 
Puddleduck said:
Here is my first go at a sensory blanket. I think the background is a bit bright so for the next one I may use the same fabric wrong side up to tone it down - or add a different plain fabric as a stripe. The little pocket has a wooden giraffe bead on a piece of elastic (firmly sewn in). The back is part of a fleece blanket (bought for the fleece from IKEA a few years back) and I attached ribbon "apron" ties so that when it's worn the ice creams are the correct way up from the wearer's perspective. I also left the IKEA label sewn inside so it crinkles when rubbed.

I stitched three sides with right sides together and turned it right side out before flipping the fleece over to cover the bottom edge - more fringing to fiddle with.

Anyway it's on it's way and I hope will be enjoyed by someone. I think it is best of strangers make this type of thing just in case it is rejected as when one spends time thinking about something and then making it rejection can be hurtful (yes, even when you are aware that the person rejecting is as they are).
Click to expand...
It's gorgeous Helen, it's very much appreciated, thank you very much.

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