Llandaff Mothers’ Union supports local hospitals with hearts for COVID-19 Patients and their families

Mothers’ Union members have been knitting hearts for NHS Hospital Coronavirus wards. Liz Jones, Diocesan Vice President Morgannwg Archdeaconry has made and donated 14 pairs of hearts (some knitted, some sewn) to the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, Llantrisant, with other members providing hearts for Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil.

The idea for the knitted hearts project came from a Swindon-based nurse Laura Kirby-Deacon who launched the appeal for people to send small handcrafted hearts to patients with Covid-19 and their families.

Families unable to visit relatives nearing the end of their lives are being given handmade knitted hearts to remember them by. Visiting restrictions during the Coronavirus outbreak mean that many patients and their families are separated at the worst possible time, but hospital staff are trying to ease the pain by giving each family a special keepsake. Matching pairs of knitted hearts are given to the patient and their family, so that people can feel more connected with their relatives. The hearts are posted to each family, with a small greetings card.

Having something to touch and hold, and knowing that their relative has the exact matching heart with them during the last hours of their life is incredibly special and it helps people to process their grief. It brings comfort to families at a time of great distress. Hearts are made in all sorts of designs, from knitted, crocheted and sewn fabric hearts.

Please contact a member of the Trustee Board if you have would like to make these hearts, so that we can coordinate our donations to local hospitals.

HEARTS FOR HOSPITALS INSTRUCTIONS

 Use clean yarn and stuffing.

1. Make two matching hearts – one stays with the patient and one is sent to the family.
2. When completed place the two hearts in a bag, e.g. small freezer bag, write the date on the outside and tie tightly with an overhand/thumb knot. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overhand_knot

The date is helpful as the hearts must be sealed up for 72 hours before they are safe to use

PATTERN FOR A KNITTED HEART

 https://byopiapressdotcom1.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/hearts_aberry.pdf

 PATTERN FOR A SEWN HEART

Draw a 7cm square on paper and cut it out. Fold in half and cut to make a heart shape. Make a sandwich of two pieces of 100% cotton quilting material with a layer of thin wadding between. Use your paper template and mark the heart shape on the top piece of material. I slowly stitched around the marked line with a straight stitch going round three times – it does not matter if it is a bit wonky! Cut close to the stitches with pinking shears.

PATTERN FOR A CROCHET HEART

Use DK and a 3.5mm hook to make the heart a little smaller (because most of us have more DK yarn available). For pattern see below: