Knitting has always been a part of my life. During the school holidays I would spend hours watching my grandad knit. Over the years he made some amazing creations from Rosie and Jim cardigans and jumpers for me to newborn cardigans.

One summer he let me have a go and taught me how to knit.

Fast forward a few years and my grandad’s memories began to fade and he was diagnosed with dementia. Although his sparkle remained his ability to knit faded. We said goodbye to him in 2014.

A year later I found out I was expecting my first child and I was determined to continue his legacy and knit something for my child. As I was going through his supplies I found a pattern and half made newborn cardigan. Unable to find the end I decided not to finish his work but use his pattern. Armed with his knitting needles I made something very special.

And since then his knitting needles have been at the very heart of each one of my creations from hat and cardigans for my children to festive doorstops and even a cardigan for me (and it actually fits and is warm!!).

So this November I am continuing grandad’s legacy and making premature cardigans for a neonatal unit while raising money for Dementia UK, not just for grandad but for grandma too, who had the cruel disease.

Being Scottish she fought hard against it and for a while had the disease in its place. But it became too strong and she passed away in 2018.

In her battle she not only cared for grandad in his early days but she also leaned on specialists to help her with finances and emotional support, like Admiral nurses offer.

Dementia UK is a specialist dementia nurse charity.

The charity’s nurses, called Admiral Nurses, provide life-changing care to families affected by all forms of dementia, including Alzheimers disease. They help people with dementia stay independent for longer, and support the people caring for them so they have the strength to cope with the bad days, and the energy to enjoy the good days. They have the time to listen and the knowledge to solve problems, helping families take back control when they are struggling.

October 10

The wool has arrived…time to dig out the needles and work out the pattern!!

October 12

I know it’s early but….the needles have been plucked out of the bunch, the back has been cast on and it’s time to get this under way.

I will be going until November 30!!

October 20

Thank you so SO much to everyone who has donated so far. Can’t believe I’ve made it to £100 already - have upped my total so please keep spreading the word and get the pennies rolling in!!!

The first cardigan is complete!

There’s been a few head scratches along the way but it’s done. And hopefully future issues have been nipped now.

Seeing it together was fiddly - never made anything this tiny before! It’s just slightly bigger than a piece of a4 paper….

November 1

The challenge has officially begun!!

I’ve got two cardigans completed and a third one well on it’s way to completion!!

Thank you so much to everyone who has donated so far!!

November 30

My challenge has come to an end 😢

The past however many weeks have been odd. It’s given me a lot of time to think and to create. And although the majority of the time things have gone well, I will admit there were a few times when the odds were not in my favour and I had to unravel 😬 and restart large sections.

But through all that I have six beautiful cardigans ready and waiting to keep babies cosy warm this Christmas 🩷💙💛