Here at HOPE we are lucky to be one of the Mayor of Rotherham’s chosen charities for his 2023/24 term of office. On March 14th, along with the other two Mayor’s charities, we will be hosting a Spring Fair at the Rotherham Hospital. Join us in the main hospital entrance from 10am to 3pm for craft stalls, cakes, a name the cuddly toy competition and a tombola. There will be special guests calling in to see us throughout the day including the Mayor, Oliver our therapy dog, mascots Dr Ted and Miller Bear and players from Rotherham United Football Club.
But first, we need all you knitters out there to help us create some cute knitted chicks stuffed with chocolate, for us to sell at the Spring Fair.
Can YOUR incredible knitting skills make that happen? Here’s how you can get involved:
- Grab your favourite yarn and needles.
- Knit as many colourful Easter chicks or bunnies as your heart desires (the more, the merrier!).
- Fill those cute little chicks with delicious chocolate Easter eggs.
- Drop them off at the Charity Hub at Rotherham Hospital, opposite Boots
Suggested pattern:
- Cast on 20 sts
- Knit 1 row
- Inc in 1st st, k8, inc into next 2 sts, knit to end (23 sts)
- Inc in 1st st, k9, inc into next 2 sts, knit to end (26 sts)
- Inc in 1st st, k11, inc into next 2 sts, knit to end (29 sts)
- Inc 1 st at the beg of every row until 42 sts are on the needle
- Cast off 11 sts at the beg of next 2 rows (20 sts)
- Increase 1 st at the beg of the next 4 rows (24 sts)
- Knit 4 rows K2, then k2tog to last 2 sts, k2 (14 sts)
- Knit 4 rows K2, then k2tog to last 2 sts, k2 (9 sts)
- Draw wool through rem 9 sts and pull tight
- With that piece of wool, sew round the edge of work to the beg st leaving the cast on edge open so that the egg can be inserted
- Stuff the head with a cotton wool ball, sew around the neck and gather in
- Sew 2 eyes with fine black wool and stick or sew a small diamond shaped piece of orange felt for the beak. Try a few beaks to get it right.
- Tie a thin piece of ribbon around the neck in a bow
- Fill with egg and check it doesn’t drop out when holding chick by head. Add extra stitches to tighten if required.
Below are the links to some other patterns that you might like to use. Feel free to be as creative as you want!
https://www.abbeyfield.com/blog/easter-chick-knitting-pattern/
https://ukhandknitting.com/contentfiles/patterns/ukhandKnittingAssociation-28.pdf
https://www.barnardos.org.uk/sites/default/files/2021-02/Knit-A-Chick%20Knitting%20Pattern.pdf
Please help us spread the word too – would your community group, craft group or knitting circle help us?
All the proceeds will go to the Mayor of Rotherham’s charities of the year, which includes us here at HOPE – South Yorkshire Trauma Charity, the Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity and the Common Lands of Rotherham.
And the funds we receive will help us to continue to support families who have suffered a traumatic bereavement, offering wrap around services for each family or individual, depending on their needs.
