Knitting

Thank you for your interest in knitting items for Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust; this page will detail information about the knitted items we are currently accepting.

Donations can be posted to the following address:

Voluntary Services Office

Gate 35, Level D

Pinderfields Hospital

Aberford Road

Wakefield

WF1 4DG

Alternatively, donations can be dropped off at the Volunteer Guides Desk in the Main Atrium or our Charity Hub in the Pinderfields Hospital, Volunteer Guides Desk in the Main Entrance of Dewsbury Hospital, or the Reception Desk at Pontefract Hospital.

Please don't forget to include some contact details so we can acknowledge receipt and say thank you.

Knitted Knockers

We are currently accepting donations of this item.

These are knitted or crochet soft breasts that patients can wear post op following a mastectomy to help with symmetry and confidence. 

Patterns available along with useful how to videos direct from their website at: 

https://www.knittedknockers.org/make-a-knocker/

Please can any donations be dropped off / posted directly to Gate 22 Breast Care at Pinderfields Hospital rather than the volunteers office due to space.

Mask Extenders

Please note this item is not required at present, please check back here to find out if this item is needed in the future.

The use surgical facemasks has increased significantly across the Trust during the COVID-19 pandemic due to national guidelines.

As a result, many members of staff wear a facemask for extended periods of time, which can cause irritation behind the ears.

Mask extenders help make the wearing of PPE more comfortable by attaching the strings of the facemask to the buttons of the mask extenders, worn behind the head.

Mask extenders can be made in a range of colours and sizes, and can be knitted, crocheted or sewn.

Twiddlemuffs

Please note this item is not required at present, please check back here to find out if this item is needed in the future.

A Twiddlemuffs is a double thickness hand muff with bits and bobs attached inside and out. It is designed as a stimulation activity and to provide comfort for the restless hands of patients suffering from dementia.

Each Twiddlemuff is unique, and so we welcome creativity in your choice of colours and patterns! Decorations such as buttons, toggles and pom poms are just a few good examples of different textures that can be twiddled with.

We please request that decorations such as zips, long ribbons, sharp objects and anything which a patient may get their fingers stuck in are avoided.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Knitted Dolls

Please note this item is not required at present, please check back here to find out if this item is needed in the future.

The Complex Needs Team use this knitted item in patient care, as some patients find comfort in holding the doll in their arms.

Any design and colours may be used, however we request there are no hard or sharp decorations added please, such as zips or beads. We recommend the dolls being approximately 25-30cm in length.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

K nitted Baby Hats

Please note this item is not required at present, please check back here to find out if this item is needed in the future.

Knitted baby hats are used on the maternity ward and smaller hats on the neonatal unit, to keep infants comfortable and warm.

The knitted hats can be made in any colour or pattern, although light, neutral and pastel colours are preferred.

 

 

 

 

 

Knitted Baby Clothing

Please note this item is not required at present, please check back here to find out if this item is needed in the future.

Knitted baby cardigans are used on the maternity ward and smaller items of clothing on the neonatal ward, to keep infants comfortable and warm.

The cardigans can be made in any colour, although light, neutral and pastel colours are preferred.

We please request that no buttons or bead embellishments be used on the neonatal cardigans.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fidget Bears

We are currently accepting donations of this item.

Fidget bears provide comfort for the restless hands of patients suffering from dementia, in a similar way to the Twiddlemuff.

The fidget bear will grip your fingers, making it easy to hold and play.

 

 

 

 

 

Octopus

We are currently accepting donations of this item.

Knitted octopus, similar to the fidget bear, provide comfort for the restless hands of patients suffering from dementia.

Knitted items such as these give patients something to focus on by giving them something to do with their hands, and have proven to make a significant difference to stress levels.

They are extremely popular, but we always need more!

Blankets

We are currently accepting donations of this item.

Blankets are used by different departments across the Trust to provide warmth and comfort to patients. Below you can find specific criteria relating to each department.

Dementia/ Complex Needs Team : Blankets and bed runners help dementia patients to identify their bed due to its unique pattern and colours, in an unfamiliar environment where the beds can often look similar.

They are also great for providing a sense of home comfort and warmth. A range of colours and patterns can be used so we welcome your creativity!

We request that blankets be approximately 120cm x 90cm in size.

Palliative Care Team: The palliative care team use blankets while caring for end of life patients to provide warmth and to keep patients as comfortable as possible.

A range of colours and patterns can be used, though soft pastel colours are preferred. We request that blankets be approximately 120cm x 90cm in size.

Any sewing pattern of your choice may be used and these blankets can be knitted, crocheted or sewn.

Neonatal / Maternity: The neonatal unit and maternity ward use knitted blankets to keep babies warm and comfortable.

We request that blankets be approximately 90cm by 90cm in size.

A range of colours and patterns can be used, though soft pastel colours are preferred.

Any sewing pattern of your choice may be used and these blankets can be knitted, crocheted or sewn.

How to links- 

Twiddlemuff - https://www.lovecrafts.com/en-gb/c/article/how-to-knit-a-twiddlemuff

Fidget Bears- https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/blog/how-make-fidget-toys-people-living-dementia

Knitted mask extenders: https:// www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/knitted-ear-savers

How to pattern available by joining Penistone Knitting Group pattern page : https://www.facebook.com/groups/373738356610624/