Bridesmaid’s Boleros

Bridesmaid Bolero

Jasmine and Ava attend Grandma’s wedding in hand knit bolero’s.

Introducing the other two of Grandma’s  beautiful granddaughters, Jasmine and Ava.  Here they are pictured at Grandma’s wedding wearing lovely pink hand knitted boleros made with Gedifra Barina yarn.  I am not sure if this yarn is still available but it was perfect on this occasion.

They were made using big needles so grew very quickly and to make them even simpler I crocheted an edge all around and added simple crochet flowers on either side of the front instead of buttons and buttonholes.  Nice easy design that can be worn over a fancy dress or with a pair of shorts in the summer.

Belfast Royal Heart Cushions

Healing cushions

Healing cushions

DSCF4369

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.

Want to quit smoking?

cutting up cigarettesIt’s that time of year when we all want to lose a bit of weight and get healthy…..

Well here’s an idea for you.  I can’t help with your diet and I can’t make you go out and exercise but I can help you to quit smoking.

Take up crochet!!  Your mind will be full of stitches and creativity that you will have no time to think of cigarettes.  I myself was a smoker so I know all about the cravings and difficulties that come with giving up.  I also know how important it is to have a distraction and I think crochet is a perfect one.  It is easy to learn, quick and totally addictive.  So replace one addiction with another that is a far healthier and cheaper.

Go and visit your local wool shop or community centre and see if they run classes or groups and be brave and enrol.  Pick a yarn, choose a colour, buy a hook and let the fun begin!  You could make some coloured squares and join them together to make a blanket or you could be very adventurous and make a hat for yourself or a loved one.  Whatever you choose ……

Be BOLD, be BRAVE and be CONFIDENT.

Before you know where you are the cigarettes will be a thing of the past (unless you make one of these http://dearbitsyetsy.tumblr.com/post/24153868428/crocheted-cigarettes-and-lighter) and you will be surrounded by beautiful things all made by YOU!

Want to quit smoking?

cutting up cigarettesIt’s that time of year when we all want to lose a bit of weight and get healthy…..

Well here’s an idea for you.  I can’t help with your diet and I can’t make you go out and exercise but I can help you to quit smoking.

Take up crochet!!  Your mind will be full of stitches and creativity that you will have no time to think of cigarettes.  I myself was a smoker so I know all about the cravings and difficulties that come with giving up.  I also know how important it is to have a distraction and I think crochet is a perfect one.  It is easy to learn, quick and totally addictive.  So replace one addiction with another that is a far healthier and cheaper.

Go and visit your local wool shop or community centre and see if they run classes or groups and be brave and enrol.  Pick a yarn, choose a colour, buy a hook and let the fun begin!  You could make some coloured squares and join them together to make a blanket or you could be very adventurous and make a hat for yourself or a loved one.  Whatever you choose ……

Be BOLD, be BRAVE and be CONFIDENT.

Before you know where you are the cigarettes will be a thing of the past (unless you make one of these http://dearbitsyetsy.tumblr.com/post/24153868428/crocheted-cigarettes-and-lighter) and you will be surrounded by beautiful things all made by YOU!

Heart Cushion Update

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

Heart cushion update

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 Pom Pom

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.