Grimsargh’s Loving Yarns community group has reached a milestone in their efforts to create a Giant Friendship Blanket.

The group have now reached 53m squared with their handmade blanket but are encouraging other yarn crafters, knitting or crochet, to add granny squares and blankets to see how large they can make it.

They hold their monthly meetings on the second Tuesday each month at Grimsargh Village Hall, with the next arranged for 14th December from 11am till 1pm.

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The project started life after a Loving Yarns member became disabled but still wanted to participate in charitable deeds and crafts. Through pain and bed rest, they crocheted regularly.

In the first year, the member made ten baby blankets and 20 in year two, and along with a few like-minded friends, they reached 25m squared by September.

They then launched the Grimsargh Yarn Group as a monthly social for people who had been isolated through vulnerable adults status or lockdown.

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It was an opportunity for people to get together at minimal cost and in a small group for coffee, conversation, crochet, knitting, cake, healthy snacks, skills shares and laughter for a fee of £3. 

The group has been running for three months, and by using social media, managed to reach 53m squared and collected baby hats and toys.

The group said as the winter will be tough on families due to fuel costs, shortages and the effects of Covid-19, they are washing and distributing baby blankets along with a small toy and toiletries to families through charitable services.

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The group will donate large blankets to palliative care and the elderly. A few of the blankets made by the original members will be available for purchase. The funds will be used to buy new baby safe teddies and toiletries for the 50 giftsets they have ready for distribution.

The group are also taking donations for use in charitable baby bags and children’s shoeboxes.

The items requested are as follows:

• Small toys (new or good condition, but nothing battery operated)
• Colouring books, pencils or crayons
• Lego or similar construction toys
• Toy cars
• Dolls
• Gift bags
• Cosmetic bags
• Pencil cases
• Basic toiletries (soap, toothbrushes/paste, combs and other items)
• Baby outfits
• Double knit acrylic wool (part balls are acceptable for use in granny squares)
• They can accept part used notebooks, plain or lined, coloured cards and used crayons, which they will melt to create rainbow crayons for the craft packs.

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A teddy and toiletries kit, costing £6 or £10, includes a towel.

The group will continue in January 2022 and aim to reach 100m squared by December.

To find out more about the project, email lovingyarns@gmail.com

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