KNITTERS WANTED! Help St Mary's Maternity Unit

The fantastic team at St Mary's Maternity Unit are looking for generous knitters to donate their time and skills! They are looking to YOU to create as many baby hats as your needles can handle for mothers and newborn babies at the unit.

"We use knitted hats to keep babies warm at birth because babies struggle to maintain there own temperature-especially in the first 24 hours! With over 10,000 births born a year we use a lot of them which is why donations are always needed!"

The unit are in need of standard size baby hats that will fit newborns and the hats can be of any colour or design. But of course, the more colourful, the better! Rainbow designs are very popular on the unit, so feel free to knit in a wide spectrum of colours and shades.

Don't fancy hat knitting? Bonding squares are also in high demand! These simple square knits are cleverly used to bond mothers to their new baby. These squares are held to the mother's skin, and then laid next to their new baby, allowing the baby to feel close to their mother at all times. These squares can be lacey, textured and patterned, or just a simple garter stitch square so anyone can make them!

You can help the St Mary's Maternity Unit by sending your lovely knits to the following address:

Ruth Walker,

Practical Publishing group,

Suite G2,

Vitality House,

217 Wellington Road South,

Stockport,

SK2 6NG, UK.

If you are raring to help but don't know where to start here are some of our favourite free patterns available right here on CraftWorld!

Stripy Hat pattern

If you are looking for a simple hat and mitts set for a newborn baby, create this adorable set perfect for any baby. This set would be great in a whole range of colours and yarns. Find it HERE.

Baby Fawn hat

This quick and adorable knit is perfect for those newer to colourwork, and just look at those little ears! This brilliant hat is available to download so you can make this super-cute hat HERE.

Floribunda hat and mitts set

Knit this adorable floral baby hat and mitt set! This pretty set are perfect for any type of yarn and are decorated with pretty flowers. Download this pattern HERE.

Little Hipster hat

Knit this trendy hat for your little hipster! This hat is perfect for knitters that are newer to cables, and is the perfect toasty hat for any newborn. Download this exciting pattern HERE.

Little Snowflake hat

Wrap your little snowflake in love with this Little Snowflake hat! This hat is ideal for those who want to try their hand at colourwork. Knit this hat in red and white for a truly festive feel. You can download this free pattern HERE.