My Second Handmade Auction - Call for Donations! (a Nine Months Of... Crochet Update)

It feels like quite a long time since my Nine Months Of... Crochet Challenge started and yet when I look at the countdown on my sidebar and see that there are only 50 days left (as of 1st March) my heart skips a beat as I realise my time is running out.

Here's what I've managed to make so far...

Looking at it all together like this I realise just how much I have actually managed to make. I could have stuck to the smaller patterns and made many more individual items, but I think the baby blankets are my greatest achievement. Previously blankets have taken me far more than 9 months to simply finish one, and here I am with one complete, one 3/4 complete, and one which though still very small has grown so much in it's first week I know it will be finished in no time at all. I must say a massive thanks here to Black Sheep Wools who donated the yarn to make two of the blankets, and whose gift cards have been used to buy the yarn for the third blanket.

I had hoped to update you all on each project as I worked, but this past year has been pretty hectic and just fitting in the actual crochet was challenging enough! But as my challenge draws near to its end I know I will need to start writing about each item in more detail so that when they go up for auction in May you'll have all the information you need to know what has gone into making each of these items.

But here's the thing... I don't want to just have a small auction with a few items I have made myself. After the success of last year's Handmade Auction I want to open up the opportunity for others to donate items they have made as well. Last year we received so many donations I listed just over 80 items on eBay and we raised over £300 for Pregnancy Sickness Support. Isn't that amazing? 

For a charity that currently receives no funding and runs entirely on donations and the time offered by volunteers, raising a few hundred pounds makes a massive difference. As the Volunteer Co-ordinator for the charity I know this more than ever now. Every day I speak to women who are suffering so terribly from sickness that they are unable to function at all. I speak to women who are considering terminations (or have had terminations in the past) because the sickness was so severe and support was so limited. I speak to women who have suffered from depression and PTSD because of what they have been through. And I speak to women just like myself who are so terrified of ever being that ill again.

Our charity runs on the time and energy that our dedicated volunteers offer to supporting these women through the darkest hours of their life. And we are doing an amazing thing. But we could do so much more, and this is where fundraising is so vital. To sustain what we have already developed and grow further, we need funds. It is a cause I am so passionate about and I want this year's auction to be even bigger and better than last year's, because the more money we raise the more we can do!

I've been raiding my cupboards for additional items to add to the auction. I will make it very clear in my listings on eBay which items have been made as part of my challenge and which items have been donated by others (or made prior to the challenge by myself). Things like these bootees, which have been lying around for far too long now...

Do you think we can maybe beat last year's tally? Perhaps we could aim for 100 items in the auction and nearer £500 raised overall? Do you think that's achievable? Maybe, just maybe, it will be. But I need your help.

Are you a crafter? Could you spend just a couple of hours making an item for the auction? It doesn't matter how small, the only thing I ask is that it is handmade. And why is that? Well it's because handmade items are made with love and that makes all the difference... it is symbolic of the love and dertermination that gets women through their pregnancies and spurs them on to support others once their own pregnancy is over. It doesn't have to be perfect, just handmade and with love!

What if you're not a crafter? Well then maybe you could share this post with your friends, family, social media circles, or anyone else you can think of! I may only have 50 days left until I have to stop my crochet challenge, but I won't be launching the auction until the second week in May. This gives you around 9-10 weeks to spread the word and post those items.

I've already received a truly stunning donation of these beautiful knitted cardigans and a fantastic scarf from the wife of one of our trustees. And I know she is busy knitting more... could you join her and add to the donations?

If you have items to donate, please get in touch with me via my contact form so I can send you my postal address. And if you decide to make something, let me know on Twitter or Instagram so I can share the love with my followers! 

Comments

[mellissa williams]

I remember my gran showing me how to crochet years ago. Good luck with your money raising!

[Nell@PigeonPairandMe.com]

Those blankets are stunning. We were made a couple of crocheted blankets for our children by a family friend - I hadn't quite realised how much effort went into them. All the best of luck with the sale.

[TwinsplusTwo]

I've just learned how to crochet!! Love these :) especially the little hats :)

[Katie Albury]

You are so talented and what a wonderful cause, good luck with everything.
Katie x
http://www.missenchanting.co.uk/

[Oana79]

Unfortunately not but I could donate some of wee son's outfits, the ones he is growing out of if needed. Let me know.

[Charlotte]

Wow you are so talented! I love to crochet but I'm useless at it :( - Good luck! x

[You Baby Me Mummy]

I could send you some stuff, I have some handmade cardigans and I make headbands with fabric flowers on then so could send one of them. Let me know if it of interest to you youbabymemummy@gmail.com

x

[Emma (My Little 3 and Me)]

What beautiful items you've made. I am full of admiration for your longterm commitment to this project. Well done.

[Emma Bradley]

I've never crochet but adore the hats.

[Amanda]

Thanks Melissa, surprisingly crochet is one skill that I know better than my grandma (makes a change!) I taught myself using videos online :) but now find I use US terminology which is confusing when buying UK books and magazines!

[Amanda]

Thank you - it took me years to complete my first crochet blanket, I am now much quicker. But it does take a long time to finish one. I used to steer clear of them as I preferred the satisfaction of finishing smaller items quickly. But now I really love working on blankets. I hope they will be well received in the auction!

[Amanda]

Also, aren't handmade gifts just the best?

[Amanda]

Ooooh did you teach yourself or did someone teach you? It's so exciting to learn how to crochet and find you can create so many things with just a few simple stitches! Have you found Ravelry yet? It's a great place for finding patterns http://www.ravelry.com/

[Amanda]

Thank you Katie! I have made plenty of mistakes during this challenge but each mistake teaches me more skills and I'm getting quicker all the time :)

[Amanda]

Wow Oana, that would be great. I'll send you an email to chat further. Thank you so much! xx

[Amanda]

Hi Charlotte, thank you - I'm the same with knitting, totally useless at it!! I don't know how I can find crochet so easy and knitting so hard, but it's true!

[Amanda]

Wow thank you, that would be fantastic!! I shall send you an email xx

[Amanda]

Thanks Emma! Yes, it has been quite a commitment, but so much easier than 9 months of sickness which I know from experience feels like a lifetime!

[Kirsty Hijacked By Twins]

I love the little booties! Sickness during pregnancy must be so hard its a great cause! Well done on what you have been doing!

[Amanda]

Thanks Emma - do you mean the heart hats? I decided to create that pattern myself and they aren't quite right size wise (which I will explain on the eBay listings) but I spent so many hours trying to get the heart motif right that I thought someone would still consider buying a slightly imperfect hat!

[Amanda]

Thank you Kirsty :) The bootees don't quite match (one is a slightly different shape to the other) which irritated me when I first made them. But I looked at them again today and thought you can hardly tell the difference and they are made with such a lovely yarn that it would be such a shame not to include them and raise funds for PSS. Severe sickness during pregnancy is the largest factor in our decision to never have any more children, so I am hugely passionate about this cause!

[Kizzy]

Well done. Crochet is something I long to learn, maybe soon!

[Angela Spicer]

well done for everything you've achieved so far

[Mammasaurus]

Such lovely items - I wish I had the talents to knit or crochet - I did try learning last year and failed miserably sadly. This is a lovely idea to raise money xx

[Jenny]

The baby blankets are gorgeous, so sweet.

[ninja cat]

I wish I could do this

[Bek]

These look lovely. I've never tried crocheting but I'd like to try it one day. Good luck with the fundraising!

[Mummy of Two]

You have made some lovely items, wish I was so creative! The auction sounds like a great idea and for a fab cause!

[Liska @NewMumOnline]

Oh those items are just so beautiful. Do you know Nickie at I am Typecast? She has taught herself to crochet and loves it.
Liska xx

[kara]

I would love to be able to crochet - love the hat and the bootees

[hannah staveley]

Would love to make something like this they look so good.x

[Amanda]

Hi Kizzy, I have this plan to do photo tutorials of the basic stitches for anyone who wishes to learn, but I just haven't had the time as I am so busy on this challenge! If I ever manage it I'll have to let you know!

[Amanda]

Thanks Angela, I look at it and think how many stitches have gone into those blankets and hope that they end up with someone as a treasured blanket for their baby :)

[Amanda]

Oh Annie, I am useless at knitting!! But crochet I can do... I took my crochet to BritMums with me last year but never managed to sit down and do any. I think I may bring it this year and sit one or two workshops out, just to crochet and see if anyone wants to join me - BritMums can be a bit hectic and whilst I find it hard choosing between everything there I also feel like a bit of "downtime" with the crochet (and teaching anyone who wants to have a go) would be a great way to catch my breath! If I manage it and you spot me you'll have to join me!

[Amanda]

Hi Jenny, thank you! I have discovered I really love making blankets during this challenge and think I may end up breaking the bank buying yarn to make many more over the years!

[Amanda]

I learnt the basic stuff very quickly but it has taken me years to get to this level... and yet I cannot knit very well at all and don't have the patience to spend practising as I find crochet so much easier. Have you tried it? It's not as hard as it looks!

[Amanda]

Hi Bek, there are so many great tutorials online that it's always worth having a go and seeing if you like it :) Good luck if you do!

[Amanda]

Thank you - I am gradually developing my ability and attempting more complex designs but actually once you know the basics you can easily follow a pattern :)

[Amanda]

Hi Liska, no I don't know Nickie but I shall go and check I am Typecast out - I always love to find another crocheter to see what they are up to :)

[Amanda]

Crochet isn't actually as complicated as it looks... I find it so much easier than knitting :)

[Amanda]

Thanks Hannah, I'm glad you like them :)

[anna]

Good luck with the auction. I'm clueless in crochet! You have a lot more talent!

[Shell Louise]

I taught myself how to crochet using you tube. I haven't kept up with it so I'd probably need to watch them again to refresh my memory.
You're doing great and I hope you beat your target :)

[Emmys Mummy]

Oh my you clever thing.
These are stunning. Well done

[Emily @amummytoo]

Good luck! It all looks great and I hope you get lots of donations :)

[Katherine]

Hello, I saw the Brit Mums tweet about your project earlier. I would love to knit something to donate. I had hyperemesis when I was pregnant, although I didn't know about Pregnancy Sickness Support (I found a forum on a general parenting site to help me) at the time, I'd really like to do something to help other women who go through this. It also helps me with my challenge this year, part of it is to knit 10 things.

I am also sticking to one child so will be exploring your poss and links about this later.

[Amanda]

Katherine,

thank you so much! I have sent you an email so I hope you have received it.

I do hope that my page on One Child Families helps - it has links to other bloggers with only children on it :)