The Angel Network Crafters in Nanaimo donate yarn, knitted clothing, and eight-inch knitted squares to Volunteer Nanaimo. I learned about them when I dropped off a couple of crocheted blankets a little while ago.

While I was there, I offered to donate some squares and was asked if, instead, I would put together some of the squares they already had. I was happy to oblige. Subsequently, I put together two twin blankets. On submitting the second one, I asked if they had a preference for the size of blanket and was told there was a need for queen-sized blankets.

Volunteer Nanaimo donates these blankets to people in the community who need them, and my first thought went to the homeless. It turns out, though, that the blankets also go to shelters, care homes, and families in need. One of the people I spoke with told me that when they ask mothers what size bed the children use, they often say queen size.

As I thought about it, I realized that makes complete sense. If you have limited space and resources, you will put the children together in a bed and perhaps in your own bed. In the winter, that would also be a good way to keep warm.

So, I have since made two queen-sized blankets and will drop off the second one later today. The squares I worked with were of various yarn weights so it was occasionally tricky to put them together, but I’m getting better at this now. With occasional stretching out of squares or doubling-up of stitches, they all came together.

I used some donated yarn and some of my own leftover yarn from previous projects to join the squares and, in the case of the second blanket, some knitted strips. I haven’t yet managed to weave in the ends of yarn as discretely as I would like, especially as the colour often stands out, but I’ll work on that.

I would encourage any readers who have the time and knitting or crocheting skills to contribute to a local non-profit in this way. It is a relaxing hobby that turns otherwise idle time into something useful.