western australia

premature babies

Seventy-nine beanies later and now I've nothing to do

@JudyEv (214357)

Bunbury, Australia

June 30, 2020 10:01am CST

Most young mothers nowadays don’t have time to carefully hand-wash crocheted and knitted garments for their young babies. My friend discovered this when her daughters very nicely said that taking care of delicate woollens was too time-consuming. She had planned to knit a number of tiny garments but instead, she gave me the bundle of baby wool that she now had no use for. She knew I crochet tiny beanies for premature babies. As the heads are the biggest part of these babies, they lose a lot of heat through their heads. The beanies help counteract this heat loss. I was given the wool some time ago and have at last come to the end of it. So I counted the beanies and I have 79 ready to give to another friend who will take them where they need to go. With our restrictions lifting I should be able to deliver them soon.

39 people like this

41 responses

@moffittjc (83882)

• Gainesville, Florida

30 Jun

Did you stop at 79 because you ran out of wool?

5 people like this

@JudyEv (214357)

• Bunbury, Australia

1 Jul

Yes, the 80th one isn't quite finished.

5 people like this

@moffittjc (83882)

• Gainesville, Florida

2 Jul

@JudyEv You've been a busy little bee, haven't you? I commend you for the work you've been doing. I say "work," but for you it's probably been a labor of love.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (214357)

• Bunbury, Australia

2 Jul

@moffittjc Thanks. It's basically just something to do when I have nothing else to do. lol

1 person likes this

Show more comments

@Butterfingers (24969)

• India

30 Jun

Good to know you're very good at crocheting

5 people like this

@JudyEv (214357)

• Bunbury, Australia

1 Jul

I quite enjoy making these beanies.

4 people like this

@DianneN (177041)

• United States

30 Jun

That's very kind of you. They do look so soft and beautiful and will go to a good cause.

4 people like this

@JudyEv (214357)

• Bunbury, Australia

1 Jul

They are soft and the pastel colours are very pretty. They don't want yellow beanies as it makes the babies look jaundiced.

3 people like this

@DianneN (177041)

• United States

1 Jul

@JudyEv It also makes them look neither girl or boy.

4 people like this

@JudyEv (214357)

• Bunbury, Australia

2 Jul

@DianneN That's a good point too.

3 people like this

Show more comments

@CarolDM (83091)

• Nashville, Tennessee

30 Jun

Wow, that is a lot of work. Good for you.

4 people like this

@JudyEv (214357)

• Bunbury, Australia

1 Jul

There is a few months' work there.

3 people like this

@Torunn (6602)

• Norway

30 Jun

Special washing powder, washing bag and a decent washing machine? Wool can survive that if you do it properly. But their loss is good for the premature babies. Great work!

3 people like this

@JudyEv (214357)

• Bunbury, Australia

1 Jul

Thanks. You're quite right but a lot of young mums mostly don't want to be bothered.

2 people like this

@Torunn (6602)

• Norway

1 Jul

@JudyEv A lot of my friends are knitting themselves for their babies. Some of the ones without babies are knitting for their cats or dogs.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (214357)

• Bunbury, Australia

2 Jul

@Torunn Fashion for pets is making some people a fortune I think. lol

2 people like this

Show more comments

@JimBo452020 (16652)

• Montrose, Scotland

30 Jun

Thats a lot of beanies. Well done you!

3 people like this

@JudyEv (214357)

• Bunbury, Australia

1 Jul

Thanks. It's pretty easy for me. Not really a big deal.

2 people like this

@JimBo452020 (16652)

• Montrose, Scotland

1 Jul

@JudyEv its a big load of beanies though

2 people like this

@JudyEv (214357)

• Bunbury, Australia

1 Jul

@JimBo452020 I'm always a bit staggered when I get around to counting them.

2 people like this

Show more comments

@LadyDuck (292486)

• Switzerland

30 Jun

I love your beanies Judy, you are doing such a good job. Incredible how young women think that everything is a waste of time.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (214357)

• Bunbury, Australia

1 Jul

That's true. They would have the time really but don't have any inclination. lol

2 people like this

@LadyDuck (292486)

• Switzerland

2 Jul

They do not even want to learn, I showed to my niece dozens of time how to fix a button, every time she came to me asking if I could to this for her. She does not want to learn.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (214357)

• Bunbury, Australia

2 Jul

@LadyDuck She won't be bothered learning while she has a kind aunt to do it for her.

1 person likes this

Show more comments

much2say - SmilePie

@much2say (41571)

• United States

30 Jun

That's a lot of sweet beanies! There are a group of teachers at my son's school that make beanies for premature babies too. Time to get more yarn and start on #80!

3 people like this

@JudyEv (214357)

• Bunbury, Australia

1 Jul

#80 is half done but I don't have any more wool at the moment. I will check out some op shops when I get the chance.

3 people like this

much2say - SmilePie

@much2say (41571)

• United States

1 Jul

How long does it take to create one?

3 people like this

@JudyEv (214357)

• Bunbury, Australia

2 Jul

@much2say If I'm just sitting in front of the TV in the evening, I can often do 2. It depends a bit on the pattern.

2 people like this

@MALUSE (59874)

• Germany

30 Jun

Congratulations! Hopefully, you won't fall into a hole now that you don't have anything to keep you busy in your spare time.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (214357)

• Bunbury, Australia

1 Jul

I want to make a 'slouchy beanie' for myself - a beanie that I could tuck my now-long hair into. My heart sank when my friend gave me so much wool but now I've finished it all I realise I now have nothing to do in the evenings.

3 people like this

@MALUSE (59874)

• Germany

1 Jul

@JudyEv Show us a photo of your slouchy beanie when it is finished!

4 people like this

@JudyEv (214357)

• Bunbury, Australia

1 Jul

@MALUSE I will for sure.

2 people like this

@snowy22315 (93488)

• United States

30 Jun

Wow, you could get some more yarn and make some more. There will always be preemies around I think, and it is a lovely thing for you to do as wel.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (214357)

• Bunbury, Australia

1 Jul

No doubt if I'm meant to do more, some wool will turn up from somewhere. I will check out some op shops too. The beanies may only be used by one baby I guess as they'd be hard to sterilise between babies.

2 people like this

@snowy22315 (93488)

• United States

1 Jul

@JudyEv It must be nice to be talented. I doubt I could make one if my life depended on it. I am just not good with my hands.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (214357)

• Bunbury, Australia

2 Jul

@snowy22315 We all have different skills I guess. I've had a lot of practice over the years.

1 person likes this

@rebelann (72202)

• El Paso, Texas

30 Jun

Those look so kool. The babies that will get these will stay much warmer.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (214357)

• Bunbury, Australia

1 Jul

For all I know, they may get used just the once or maybe only for one baby. But that's okay.

2 people like this

@rebelann (72202)

• El Paso, Texas

1 Jul

You've given them something to help them @JudyEv That's what counts.

2 people like this

@Corbin5 (193548)

• United States

30 Jun

You made a bunch of beanies for those babies. I hope you can deliver them soon.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (214357)

• Bunbury, Australia

1 Jul

Thanks. I'll be able to take them to my friend whenever I like now. There are no limits on visiting others. I'd ring first and make sure she was happy to see me.

2 people like this

@Corbin5 (193548)

• United States

1 Jul

2 people like this

@Adie04 (6649)

•

30 Jun

Awww! What a lovely beanies

3 people like this

@JudyEv (214357)

• Bunbury, Australia

1 Jul

Thanks. I'm glad you like them.

1 person likes this

@Adie04 (6649)

•

1 Jul

2 people like this

Belle Starr (Iz)

@BelleStarr (51455)

• United States

30 Jun

Here we make them from synthetic yarn which makes it machine washable. Those are adorable. I never work with wool since I am allergic.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (214357)

• Bunbury, Australia

1 Jul

Some of this 'wool' may not be actual wool but my friend's daughters didn't want to be bothered with hand-knitted garments.

2 people like this

Belle Starr (Iz)

@BelleStarr (51455)

• United States

1 Jul

@JudyEv Well that is silly, I think they are beautiful.

2 people like this

@SHOHANA (11549)

• Bangladesh

1 Jul

Your friend did a.great job

3 people like this

@JudyEv (214357)

• Bunbury, Australia

1 Jul

My friend gave me the wool but I crocheted the beanies.

1 person likes this

@wolfgirl569 (30825)

• Marion, Ohio

30 Jun

You were very busy.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (214357)

• Bunbury, Australia

1 Jul

I've been doing them for a few months I guess. Some nights I can get perhaps two done.

2 people like this

@xFiacre (7660)

• Ireland

30 Jun

@judyev Surely you must have some sort of repetitive strain injury after 79 beanies!

3 people like this

@JudyEv (214357)

• Bunbury, Australia

1 Jul

I didn't do them overnight!!!

Sometimes my wrist starts to ache and I have to remind myself to have a spell for a while. I might do one or two in an evening but mostly it's a bit here or a bit there while I'm waiting for Vince if he's buying hardware or whatever. I can't crochet while we're driving or I get carsick.

1 person likes this

@LindaOHio (40627)

• United States

30 Jun

That is a very generous thing to do and a lot of work involved. What a great project!

3 people like this

@JudyEv (214357)

• Bunbury, Australia

1 Jul

Thanks. It keeps me out of mischief.

2 people like this

@thelme55 (46112)

• Germany

30 Jun

Wow! Those are cute beautiful beanies. I love them.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (214357)

• Bunbury, Australia

1 Jul

Some of them are very pretty as the colors are so soft. Some patterns are prettier than others too.

2 people like this

@thelme55 (46112)

• Germany

1 Jul

@JudyEv I could see in the photo that they are all pretty. I like the white ones.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (214357)

• Bunbury, Australia

2 Jul

@thelme55 Sometimes I mixed the colours but then you have more ends to sew in. Sewing in ends isn't my favourite part.

2 people like this

Show more comments

@kobesbuddy (104720)

• East Tawas, Michigan

1 Jul

Any pediatrics hospital ward would be thrilled, to get these 79 lovely beanies! How do I know? My daughter works with preemies five days a week. She herself was a preemie, the largest baby in those incubators. She was a whopping 4 pounds, 9 ounces at birth:) At five pounds(a month later) she was free to leave and go home!

2 people like this

@JudyEv (214357)

• Bunbury, Australia

2 Jul

Vince took beanies to a children's cancer hospital in Nepal. They were bigger and brighter colours. He said the staff were thrilled whereas we weren't sure if they'd need them or not. It seems the preemie beanies might be used in many hospitals.

2 people like this

@kobesbuddy (104720)

• East Tawas, Michigan

2 Jul

@JudyEv My daughter takes care of preemies, but I'm not sure if they have beanies. They are a wonderful idea, to keep those tiny infants warm enough.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (214357)

• Bunbury, Australia

2 Jul

@kobesbuddy They say their heads are the largest part of them and they lose a lot of heat through their heads.

2 people like this

Show more comments