Many volunteers love making blankets to donate.  This is a fulfilling experience both for the creator/donor and for the recipient.  We ask that all donors pay strict attention to the specific guidelines as non-adherence may prevent a blanket from being accepted.  Hospitals and healthcare facilities require that these guidelines be met for the protection of the children in their care.  No one wants to make a blanket that would hurt a child in need.

Instructional Video: Watch this video created by our current president Tiana on how to make blankets the best way for our kids!

What we do:  A Project Linus Blanket is a new, washable blanket.  We make these blankets for critically ill and traumatized children ages 0-17 years of age so various colors and styles are appropriate.  Below you will find approximate sizes for various age groups.  Although embellishments are cute, we ask that you do not add buttons, glitter, beads, sequins, or ribbons to your blankets.  They are scratchy, uncomfortable, and get caught in wires and tubes.

Sizes  

Baby – 36″ x 36″ up to 45″x 45″ (quilts are usually placed over the isolettes to block out the artificial light, crocheted/knitted blankets are for babies to snuggle with if they are not in an isolette) 
Child – 45″ x 50″ up to 50″ x 60″ – (approximate age 4-10 years)
Teen – 50″ x “60 and up  – (approximate age 10 to 17 years)  (fleece should be two yards)

Guidelines – PLEASE NO BLANKETS SMALLER THAN 36″ X 36″

• Although embellishments are cute, we ask that you do not add buttons, glitter, beads, sequins, or ribbons to your blankets.  They are scratchy, uncomfortable, and get caught in wires and tubes.
• Fabrics – 100% cotton, fleece, or flannel. No upholstery fabric. Please cut off selvages. Do not use anything that you would not want to cuddle up to. No religious fabrics, please.  Bright colorful fabrics are preferred.  Keep children in mind. Please do not make your blanket out of tapestry, burlap, upholstery fabric, 70’s type double knit, felt, vinyl, wool, or wool yarn. Please do not use fabric that has been stored in a damp area or has a musty smell.  Mold spores can cause an allergic reaction in a child and are very difficult to remove from the fabric.  Blankets that smell of smoke cannot be accepted.
• Yarns – Use washable, 100% acrylic yarn. Do not use yarn with wool content. Please make sure that the weave is tight if you are making a small blanket so that fingers, toes, tubes, and wires do not get caught in the blanket.  Larger blankets may have some holes as long as they are not too large. Also, do not include fringe on baby blankets as fringe will get caught in equipment.
• Blanket Types

1. Quilts and tied comforters – Please make sure that your ties/quilt seams are not more than 6″ apart

• 100% cotton or flannel quilts in cheerful or soothing colors that would appeal to children.

• Check your blanket carefully for straight pins. You do not want to hurt a child because you did not check for pins.

1. Crocheted and knit – (See Yarns) section above. No fringe, please.
2. Fleece Blankets:  PLEASE CUT OFF SELVAGES! No Sew/Tying Knots – Single-layered fleece blankets only.  Double-layered blankets are too warm for the kids. Please cut 4” squares from all 4 corners of fleece then proceed to cut fringe.  This will make your corners lay flat.  To avoid blankets looking like a “bowl” do not tie knots too close to the blanket’s edges.  PLEASE USE THE VIDEO ABOVE WHEN MAKING A TIED FLEECE BLANKET.
   • Crochet, knit, quilt, or tie your blankets and neatly finish the edge on polar/blizzard fleece.  Blankets need to be made from 100% cotton fabric, polar/blizzard fleece, or acrylic yarn.
   • Check your blanket carefully for straight pins. You do not want to hurt a child because you did not check for pins.

   We hope that these guidelines will help you with your blanket-making. We know that our blanketeers want to make blankets that can be used at the Project Linus facilities in their local areas.