This fall I have set myself a goal of knitting 20 hats for newborns and premature babies at the UNC and Johns Hopkins hospitals. These are two very different locations - but with certain points in common: both are large, level 4, teaching hospitals. They have large and well-respected NICUs. They see babies in the whole range of health and family situation. And, most importantly for my needs, I know people in both hospitals.
When I started doing knitting for people whom I do not know (I dislike the term "knitting for charity") I was saddened by the lack of outlets for my knitting in my local area. I was hoping someone else would be waiting down the street from me, ready to take my beautiful hats... but no. I could send hats to Caps for Kids - also in North Carolina - but they take mostly larger things. I could send hats to other countries or other areas in the US - but I strongly believe that we should take care of people close to home AS WELL AS in distant lands.
Also, I have several family members for whom I can't (or won't) knit.
Thus was born the 20 Hats Project. Here's the goal: I want to present 20 hats to the Johns Hopkins nurseries for Christmas of 2007. They have five hospitals in their system, all of which have infants. This blog is to help me keep track of the hats I complete.
It's also here to ask for your help. You have two options:
1: Make some baby hats (knit or crochet) and send them to me to give to Hopkins and/or UNC.
2: Have a goal of making some number of hats for your local hospital, and use this blog to keep track of your progress.
Either way, I'm happy to sign people up for the blog. Please email me at librarianktatgmaildotcom (gotta love anti-spam tricks), with your name, your blog address (if you have one), your email address, and which option you'd like to take. I promise not to share your personal info with anyone!
