Healing cushions

Belfast Royal Healing cushions

Every Wednesday a group of women join me at Grandma’s Attic for a coffee and a knit.  These cushions are a sample of approx 400 cushions we have already sent to the Belfast Royal Hospital to aid patients who have undergone heart surgery.  The feedback from staff and patients has been amazing and I wanted to share it with you.

Patients who received a cushion on discharge showed a quicker recovery rate, less depression and a more positive outlook for the future.  This may not seem to be much to anyone who has never undergone major surgery but for anyone that has it is a huge hurdle to get over and every little helps.  I don’t know if it is the actual cushion that aids healing or just the fact that someone who doesn’t actually know you, took the time and trouble to make something just for you and  that raises the spirit and aids recovery.  I will leave that to the experts to decide.  The physical cushion is used to protect the wound from the seatbelt in a car for example (the wound can take up to 6 months to heal completely internally) or for holding close to your chest for support when coughing or hopefully, laughing!!

As you can see we have a real mix of styles and colours.  We try to cater for Men, women and children.  Different sizes for different people.  There are about 1000 open heart operations carried out every year and it is our aim to provide every one of those people with a cushions to take home and keep.

No official research has yet been done with regard to these cushions but it is something that specialists are looking at because of this feedback.  If anyone wants to help us or indeed a hospital local to you then I would be happy to offer advice about how to go about this.

Evelyn modelling crochet poncho caption

Evelyn modelling another Grandma’s Attic creation.  A very simple crochet poncho using a multi coloured acrylic yarn by Paton’s with a matching beret.  This is a very easy garment for beginners to try and looks very effective with the coloured yarn.  Can be made to fit any size.

Grandma’s Attic charity knitters have now knitted over a whopping 360 cushions for the Belfast Royal Cardiac Ward.  I think they deserve a massive pat on the back.  As a thank you I recently arranged for a local herbalist (also a knitter and spinner) to come along and show them how to make herbal creams. Great fun was had and they all made themselves a pot of cream including a healing cream, a nourishing cream and a cream to banish wrinkles!!!  We had herbal tea and all knitting needles were banished for the afternoon!

These ladies work tirelessly and are now knitting for the local Simon Community to help them raise funds to help the homeless and needy in the local area. If anyone would like to make a donation of spare stash wool then all is gratefully received and always put to good use.  We waste nothing and recycle everything.  Can be dropped into the shop Tuesday to Saturday or can be posted to

Grandma’s Attic, The Old National School, The Commons, Belleek. Co. Fermanagh BT93 3EP

This is a little Gilet that was made by me for my granddaughter, Evelyn.  I didn’t have enough wool to do the borders but think it worked ok.  Don’t be afraid to experiment with colours and different yarns.  It is good to be individual and it is good for stash busting.

Here is the latest creation from Grandma’s Attic.  The jumper was a customer request and the hat was using up the last of the yarn.  It is a 100% wool and will be just perfect for the cold Irish winters!

We have now sent our third box of cushions to the Royal in Belfast and they are going down a treat. The feedback from the patients is so positive and heartwarming, it makes you feel good to be doing something so simple yet so worthwhile. Patients immediatly feel better just knowing that someone has gone to so much trouble to help heal a total stranger. Anyone can join in this campaign for any hospital that does open heart surgery. Check with them first that they can use them and then make a cushion about the size of an A4 sheet of paper. Stuff it and hey presto a cushion. Make some smaller and some bigger as none of us are the same size and remember bright colours especially for the children. Knit, crochet or sew with scraps of fabric. Decorate how you like. The bolder the better. Good luck and happy cushion making!!

Loopy pompom now in stock in lots of exciting colours. One ball one scarf. At only £6.95 per ball you can make all your Christmas gifts. Wrap them around a bottle of wine or a box of chocolates for all the girl friends, mums aunts etc in your life. They are so simple to make yet look as though you have worked very hard and are an expert knitter.