Have you heard of the October Beanie Collective?

We are sewing beanies to donate to Oncology Clinics around Australia and we want you to get involved.

Why? Christina Matthewson explains:

“So many of us have been touched by cancer, for me it was my amazing mum who I lost 5 years ago. Once when I was visiting her whilst she was having her treatment, I noticed a basket in the waiting room, which contained several knitted beanies. When I asked why they were there, my mum told me It was a donation basket and that the beanies in that basket were free for any patient undergoing chemo. I made a promise to myself that one day I’d fill that basket with beanies.

Every year I’ve told myself that this year I’d do it, but every year just the thought of going back there has stopped me. It’s just been too painful. Then my youngest child told me he’d like to grow his hair long to donate it to someone with cancer, because he wasn’t able to give his nanny his hair. It was then that I made the decision that this year I would do something too.

As Breast Cancer Awareness month was coming up I decided to have a pink theme (which is pretty relaxed as not everyone likes wearing pink) So I started making beanies. My initial target was 10 but now I’m close to 200. I plan on visiting the clinic where my mum had her treatment and donating the beanies at the end of this month.”

To date, Christina has currently sewn up an astounding 175 beanies.

So how can you help?

It’s easy! We are using a free pattern from Patterns for Pirates called the Slouchy Beanie, so pop on over and download your copy. You can sew it up by following the Patterns for Pirates instructions and you’re done!! Christina has also done up a fantastic tutorial on how to make them reversible, meaning that there are no exposed seams to irritate any sensitive skin. The best thing about these beanies is that they are really the ultimate scrap buster! They can be made out of almost any knit fabric in any colour! Patchwork beanies are super adorable!

Pattern: https://www.patternsforpirates.com/product/free-slouchy-beanie/
Instructions: https://www.patternsforpirates.com/free-beanie-tutorial/
Tutorial on how to make it reversible: http://aussewing.com/2018/10/12/tutorial-reversible-beanie/

You have finished your beanie, what next?

Now is the fun part. You’ve sewn up a stash of beanies and now you’re wondering what to do now. Working with Blessington, we have set up some drop off or postage addresses around Australia for you to send your finished beanies too. Once received, the beautiful beanies will then be donated to the local oncology units.

Postal Information: http://aussewing.com/2018/10/20/beanie-drop-off-points/

Need a bit more incentive to sew up your scraps?

We have once again teamed up with Blessington to bring you an amazing incentive to take part in this initiative. They have donated FIVE Superior Threads Magnifico Pretty in Pink thread packs to the five people who sew up the most beanies between now and Sunday 11 November, 2018. We will require a photograph of all of your beanies for you to be eligible for a thread pack. These can be posted in the Australian Sewing Advice and Inspiration group no later than 11:59pm (ADST) Sunday 11 November.

If you have any questions or would like anything clarified, please feel free to ask away!

In the mean time, happy sewing!

– Christine