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Oh, goodie...
So, the folks in DH's unit know I knit. It's pretty obvious. If I'm sitting still (or standing, or just slowly walking, or...) I've got my knitting out. I always have a project living in my purse - usually socks, because they're small and portable.
Apparently the FRSA (the paid family readiness group person that works at battalion level) has heard about it, and I should be hearing from her shortly about knitting baby blankets for newborns of unit members. (she mentioned it to DH today, he relayed the info to me this evening)
I'd be happy to knit some blankets, but I fear that they might be overestimating my knitting abilities... I can only knit so fast, and while I'd be happy to work on blankets, they can't be the only item in my project rotation. And, well, a battalion is likely to have more babies than I can knit blankets...
So, it'll be an interesting conversation when it eventually happens. Thankfully, I'm forewarned, so I can come up with alternate suggestions, like making smaller baby items that take less time than blankets, or perhaps teaching folks to knit and organizing a regular knitting night for the group... A few of the women at the spouse's meetings have expressed an interest in learning to knit, so that latter option might be worth exploring.
Re: Oh, goodie...
I think that's a wonderful idea! It can be overwhelming to do so many blankets by one's self. I think it would be fun to teach other people too!
Yeah. I've taught knitting before, to complete newbies and to those with a bit more experience, so I think it's a good solution. But, even with extra hands helping, we might not be able to get enough done for a blanket for every baby. So, I might suggest we try to do a knitted item for each baby - things like hats and booties usually take less time. That way, some may get blankets, which are a larger effort, but everyone will get something...
I volunteer with the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society and they do a budget for baby class. Once you have done a budget and completed the class you get a baby "seabag" that has some layette stuff and a hand knitted blanket. There are several volunteer knitters in each office. Maybe they are thinking of something like that?
Definitely don't take on more than you feel comfortable doing. Can you come up with an estimate of how many hours it takes one person to knit a baby blanket? Maybe if you told this person, "It takes me 40 hours of knitting to make one blanket" (or however long you think it will take, I don't knit so I have no idea), then she will get the idea that it's a pretty mammoth task.
However, you're probably right that there are other ladies who also knit, or are interested in learning, so maybe you could head up a group of volunteers:-)
Starting a knitting group would be a double win. You'd get the spouses together and involved and you'd get help making the baby items.
I think it's great the FRG wants to acknowledge the new families.
Making hats or booties would be much more realistic. It sounds like that lady just doesnt know what exactly goes into knitting a blanket!
A knitting group sounds like a great idea! I did one in high school, and had a lot of fun!
I changed my name
I like the idea of a knitting group. My suggestion would be knitting hats for the babies in your H's company and then seeing if there are other people willing. Just let her know that doing blankets for the entire BN would be taking on more than you can handle alone.
I know H's company alone has had 26 babies born since they came home in late summer. That includes 2 sets of twins. With their training and rotation schedule, babies are always born right around the same time.
I instantly cringe inside when people ask me to knit something huge for them. I do like the knitting group idea. That would be fun. And it would be easier to knit hats and booties for sure.
Good Luck.
Like Brandie mentioned below, I often cringe when I'm asked to knit big things, mostly because non-knitters don't seem to understand the time involved, and it's hard to explain. But, this is something I'd be willing to support, within reason. I think the knitting group is the best idea. Partly because even knitting hats for every baby is pushing my limit for what I could comfortably do, and partly because a knitting group might be an extension of FRG/family activities without the awkwardness of trying to figure out what the heck to talk about when we get together - knitting provides a central topic at a knitting meetup.
I think the biggest difficulty might be finding a schedule I could set up for it that won't be overly impacted by my work schedule... After it's estabilshed, missing a meeting here or there won't be a big impact, but I've got a two week trip on the books for late January...
I think it is a neat idea, but I really like the shared responsibility of knitting baby items.
I think a knitting group is a great idea!
which is weird coming from me, because I'm not into knitting or FRGs, but still, a great idea for others
If you don't mind my asking, how many guys are there in the battalion? I can imagine not wanting to be that tied down. I'm sure if you mention how long it takes to complete each blanket they'll understand your limitations.
DH's sub only has 130-ish guys but the birth rate is around 2-4 per month. It's crazy. Our FRG has special bibs made to give to new babies. They only cost a few dollars a piece, they're functional, and they're a nice little memento. We get them embroidered with "my daddy is on the USS XXX" and the dolphin logo.
This, there is no way I would do the whole battalion. It sounds like a nice idea though! I know a girl here at our post that was able to do a group knit night at our library so if you need a large space to do a class you could check into that.
TTC#1 since 12/2010- 12/2011 Hyperthyroid with Grave's
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