Calling all Canadian knitters to help with COVID-19 memorial blanket

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Three knitters, who happen to work together, have started a countrywide memorial blanket. Heather Breadner, the owner of Aberdeen’s Wool Company, a yarn shop in Lindsay, Ont., says the idea behind the knitted COVID-19 memorial blanket is to honour Canadians who have died of COVID-19 and provide comfort to the people left behind.

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A call is being placed to Canadian knitters to create a memorial that can travel through the country, and bring comfort to those who’ve lost a loved one, and to honour the memories of the souls who are now no longer with us.

Once completed, the blanket is expected to be 9,000 square feet (836 square metres) and weigh about 1,500 pounds (680 kilograms). It will be made up of more than 8,000 knitted squares, all one foot by one foot (30 cm by 30 cm). Each square will represent one life lost.

Please join the Facebook group: Knitting Neighbours for tips if you need help from an experienced knitter.

Montrealers can order from local shops such as :

1.Lainages Du Petit Mouton (Les) Enr.

Located in: Plaza Pointe-Claire.  

Address295 Boul Saint-Jean B, Pointe-Claire, Quebec H9R 3J1
  1. Tricolette, Kirkland Quebec, Phone(514) 505-3369

    ABOUT THE Covid-19 MEMORIAL BLANKET PROJECT

    Knitters and crafters, by tradition, often take to their craft in a way to help others. To bring comfort to those who may need it. To soothe their own spirits when the world gets overwhelming and scary.

The project begins with a large art installation blanket.  One 12-inch square for each soul lost due to Covid_19 in Canada.  The blanket, to date, will be almost 9000 square feet and weigh approximately 1500 pounds.

The names of those who have lost their lives to COVID-19 will be attached to each square, with the family’s consent, and also published in a memorial book that will travel with the blanket.

The goal is to display the blanket for the first time in January 2021, the first anniversary of the first presumptive case in Canada.

THE Covid-19 MEMORIAL BLANKET PATTERN:

This is a simple square, perfect for beginners that ensures that the name placards can be attached to each square.

THE BLANKET PATTERN: THIS IS THE SQUARE TO BE USED IN THE 9000 SQUARE BLANKET

MEASUREMENTS: 12 x 12 inches MATERIALS:
1 Skein of Berroco Vintage (Worsted Weight) – Any colour can be used for this project, there are more than 80 to choose from. We have dedicated the colour Aquae 5125 to represent Frontline/Essential Workers.
4.5 mm needles (can be knit on straight or circular)

GAUGE:
20 stitches x 27 rows = 4 inches

PATTERN:
Cast on 60 stitches.
Knit 6 rows.
Repeat these 2 rows until the square measures 11.5 inches.
Row 1 – (RS) Knit all stitches
Row 2 – (WS) Knit 5 stitches, purl to the last 5 stitches, knit 5 stitches. Knit 6 rows.
Bind off.
Weave in ends. (no need to leave any for seaming)

BLANKET SQUARES FOR INDIVIDUAL SIZED BLANKETS:

As part of this project, individual-sized blankets will be made for a variety of agencies throughout Canada. These squares can be knit or crocheted and can use any washable worsted weight yarn. These are perfect for those who would prefer to use up some stash yarn.

MEASUREMENTS: 12 x 12 inches

NEEDLE/HOOK: If knitting, 4.5 mm. If crocheting 5.0mm.
Any combination of stitches, colours, stripes, patterns can be used for these blankets.
This is perfect for those who have knit a square for the main blanket and have part of a skein leftover, add a fun stripe in a stashed worsted weight for a cheery blanket.
There is no need to block or launder your squares, we will do that as part of the assembly process.

SQUARES CAN BE MAILED TO:

Covid Blanket Squares
111 Cable Road,
Fenelon Falls,
Ontario, K0M 1N0

PLEASE INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WITH YOUR SQUARE:

Name, address, email, and if you wish to include a message of hope, love, or support, please do so.

Video: How to knit a COVID memorial blanket square

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