Over the next few months the wellness committee will be collecting new, handmade crocheted and knitted hats to be donated to UF Health in Jacksonville. They give the hats to their Little Miracles/Healthy Start program for their baby showers.
This is an opportunity to create something that will provide comfort to a baby in need. Additionally, this is an invitation to engage in an activity that can also promote your wellness. There is some research that suggests crocheting can have positive effects on wellbeing. Knitting and crocheting can elicit the "relaxation response" a term coined by Dr. Herbert Benson to describe a restful state that is the opposite of the "fight or flight" response to stress. Check out this post to learn of some other potential benefits of crochet.
If you are interested in participating, here is some additional information.
Patterns: Hats should be sized for newborns or 0-3 months. If you have a favorite pattern, feel free to use it. If you would like some crochet pattern suggestions, see the links below.
Basic Chunky Newborn Beanie: Crochet (includes 2 video tutorials)
Bulky weight (5 or 6) yarn and L (8 mm) crochet hook, so works up fast
Video is very beginner-friendly, showing in detail how to do all of the required stitches (slip knot, Chain, Double Crochet, Slip Stitch, Invisible Join) as well as how to mark slip stitch, count stitches, and weave in ends to finish
Written pattern starts with a Magic Loop (instead of the Chain 3 start in the main video) so provides separate link to Magic Loop video
Basic top-down beanie: Crochet (includes video tutorial)
Medium weight (4) yarn and H (5 mm) crochet hook
Multiple sizes, including 0-3 months
Beginner-friendly, but assumes you know the basic stitches (Chain, Slip Stitch, and Double Crochet). Note: the Reverse Single Crochet stitch for the final row is optional
Pattern says there are two starting options, Chain 4 or Magic Ring. Linked video only shows the Chain 4 start. Here is their Magic Ring video tutorial.
Newborn top-down beanie with optional scalloped edge: Crochet (includes video tutorial for size 3-6 mos)
Medium weight (4) yarn and I (5.5 mm) and J (6.0 mm) crochet hooks
Worked in spiral/continuous rounds, so good for those wanting a seamless option
Written pattern has multiple size options, use 0-3 months for this project. Note that the video shows the 3-6 months size, but is still useful for seeing the stitches used, their placement, and how to work in continuous rounds
Yarn: Please use soft, washable, acrylic yarns (wool can be irritating to sensitive skin). Most any yarn with 'baby' in the name would be appropriate. Here is one useful list of good yarns for baby hats. Some other yarns you might also consider:
Medium Weight (4): Soft & Shiny by Loops & Threads
Bulky weight (5): Charisma by Loops & Threads
Additional helpful tips
- If making multiple hats from the same yarn, weigh a completed hat. You can then just weigh the remaining yarn whenever you are unsure if you have enough for another hat. Some patterns also give the amount of yarn needed by weight.
- Using a chart of hat dimensions can be helpful if you are concerned about sizing. Charts vary. This is just one example.
- Pulling the yarn from the center of the skein prevents the yarn from flopping about. How to find both ends of a yarn skein
- Easy way to make a Magic Ring (aka Magic Circle, Magic Loop)
- Keep the wellness promotion aim of this activity in mind when choosing yarns and patterns. Pick patterns that you find relaxing to work on and favor yarns in colors and textures that appeal to your senses.
Wellness committee members will be collecting completed items in drop boxes at various UF library locations.
Public areas
HSCL: First floor near main entrance
Staff areas
HSCL: Suite C2-203, and Access Services near mailboxes
ILF building: next to the copy machine
Library West: break room on the 5th floor
Smathers Library (East): staff lounge on the 1st floor
Check with your closest wellness committee member for additional locations.
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