Dear Volunteers,

We are experiencing an increase in demand from our adult patient population and hope that you are able to make the shift with us. Knitters and Crocheters, please note that all items should be made with 100% acrylic as it washes well in commercial machines.

We have an on going demand for Lap blankets and prayer shawls for many of our units.

The Safe Sleep Initiative throughout the Hospital has recently updated the requirements for newborn baby blankets. L&D clinicians in the Newborn Nursery can accept receiving blankets size 30″ x 30″ or 30″ x 40″ for newborn baby blankets. Patterns we suggest have no gaps for baby’s fingers to get caught in and be very soft.

We still welcome newborn hats. Recommended dimensions for newborn hats are 4 ½” to 5” from crown of head to brim and stretch easily.

SPECIAL NOTE: Please keep in mind that all donated items are laundered before distributed to the patients. Make sure that the tension of the stitches is sufficient to survive the laundering. Please also finish your work. We strive to present the patients with beautiful items that will make them happy and comfort them.

 

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SBU Hospital Units Need:

  • Bone Marrow Transplant & Surgical Oncology  Departments  – Adult Patients  need lap size quilts, soft prayer shawls.
  • Child Life Services  –  larger blankets (ages 5-21).
  • End of Care Unit –  Afghans of all sizes.
  • Inpatient Child Psychiatry  –  children’s Afghans for ages 6 – 12.
  • Labor & Delivery, Mother & Baby, & Ante-Partum Departments:
    • new born baby hats (all sizes).
    • infant demise wraps (in stillborn thru full term sizes) and memory pouches. (See Patterns Section)
  • Medical Oncology Department – has started a White Rose Program for end of life patients and want blankets for their patients.
  • NICU – Will accept quilts to put over the isolettes . The isolettes are later given to the parents to take home at discharge.
  • Oncology & Dialysis Departments  –  Lap blankets, prayer shawls, and Afghans.
  •  Pediatrics/In-patient Child Psych – soft quilts & pillow cases for their beds.
  • The NICHE Program  –  larger adult size Afghans and lap blankets to give out to patients, especially for our older patients. We also like to give blankets to patients who don’t get any visitors as a way of providing a little something to let them know that they are thought of and cared for. The Director is hoping we can support this request and anticipates needing approximately 20 blankets a month.
  • Palliative Care Team – this Team works with end of life patients throughout the hospital including the ER.

Suggested Sizes:

Isolates: 36″ x 40″ (Blankets made smaller than this cannot be used. Check your patterns and make the necessary adjustments.)

Lap blankets are rectangular in shape, generally 35″ by 40″.  Adult colors are requested.

Afghans are rectangular in shape, generally 50″ by 65″.  Young adult and adult colors are requested.

Prayer shawls can be made in a variety of sizes.  Rectangular, triangular, or use your imagination.  Here are some web links to get you started:

  • https://www.allfreecrochet.com/Prayer-Shawls/11-Easy-Crochet-Prayer-Shawls
  • https://www.allfreeknitting.com/Knit-Shawls/Prayer-Shawl-Patterns-for-Knitting

All donated handcrafted items must be new.  We cannot accept any used or old items.  Our patients immune systems cannot be compromised in any way.

For delivery of your projects contact:

Melissa.Shampine@stonybrookmedicine.edu

jan.tassie.sbu.stitchers@gmail.com