Dementia comforter/lap blanket

I made this for my mum.

Created by: Hazel H

  • Project Details

    About

    I’ve seen lots of comforting projects for dementia sufferers and did a bit of research. I thought that it might give my mum some ease to give restless fingers something to occupy them.

    Needles & Hooks

    • Double Point 4.00mm (US 6) 15cm
    • Single Point 4.00mm (US 6) 25cm

    Accessories

    • Tapestry Needle
    • Buttons
    Other : Ribbon, pom-poms, I-cord , tassels, wooden beads and fashion yarn was used to embellish the squares- I’m most unsure of the ‘woven’ square but I saw it on another project and tried to copy it.

    Measurements

    Notes: 30” x 24” - 76 cms x 61 cms. Each square is roughly 8 ins square or 20 x20 cms. Although each square had 40 stitches cast on, in DK acrylic yarn, some are slightly larger or smaller than 20 by 20. My tension or slight differences in ply, who knows?

    Tags

    • Blankets
    • Other
    • Home
    • Men
    • Women
    • Other
    • whyiknit

    Craft

    Knitting

    Skill Level

    Beginner

    Status

    Complete
    Finished on: May 9, 2019
  • Comments

    Join the Conversation

    50 Comments

    • Michelle M

      Queensland

      Do you remember when you were knitting this Hazel and I stood in our craft shop taking photos for you and expecting to be tapped on the shoulder at any moment.lol.😊😊Does your mum still have this I know you said she has a wee dog now that she finds comfort in.😊😊
      Reply
      [1]
      • Hazel H

        St. Helens

        Gosh, it’s a year past! That was so funny , you taking pictures and feeling like a crim! My mum was still using the blanket when I last saw her, the week before lockdown. Might be a bit warm now but she does like the wee dog Sian got for her. You’ve changed your photo too!
        Reply
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      • Michelle M

        Queensland

        @Hazel H: I know Hazel a whole year ago and you know sometimes I go into that shop and see that book and laugh.😂I'm glad your mum is still using her blanket and she has the wee dog to give her comfort.Yes I saw Dianne and Neave had changed theirs and thought oh I need a new look too.lol.😊😊❤
        Reply
        [1]
      • Hazel H

        St. Helens

        @Michelle M: it’s a really nice choice of photo Michelle! I should change mine to a hummingbird hoop 😡 - still not finished!
        Reply
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      • Michelle M

        Queensland

        @Hazel H: ok that's it Hazel put the kettle on I'm on my way over, we are going to finish that hummingbird today who needs Sarah and Vix's help,we can do it.😉😉😂😂❤
        Reply
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      • Hazel H

        St. Helens

        @Michelle M: oh please, that’s just such a lovely thought! I made so many mistakes yesterday because my hands were so sweaty, I pulled lots of gold purl out! And then my hair! 🥴
        Reply
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      • Michelle M

        Queensland

        @Hazel H: well if I tried to do it for you I would have the opposite problem my hands would be so cold I wouldn't be able to hold the needle.lol.🤔🤔😉Ok so now we are going to have to knit you a hat as you must be going bald now as well as squint eyes.lol.😂😂😂
        Reply
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      • Hazel H

        St. Helens

        @Michelle M: Yep just look for the bald woman with a squint at the airport! Maybe you could knit me some hair like Ambers? 😆
        Reply
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      • Michelle M

        Queensland

        @Hazel H: Nope I want a big sign saying Hello Michelle.lol. 😊then I will look behind the sign for the bald, squint lady and hand her a hat with long piggie tails .lol.😂😂
        Reply
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      • Hazel H

        St. Helens

        @Michelle M: I’ll wave a big hanky too! 🤯
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    • Michelle M

      Queensland

      I bet the boys wished they got Hankies too.lol😂
      Reply
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      • Hazel H

        St. Helens

        Probably they did; my husband and my dad both liked a good, outsized, Cotton hanky. I’d have liked socks to be honest - what’s a sleeve for if not to wipe your nose, lol?
        Reply
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    • Michelle M

      Queensland

      Well I think you should knit beautiful socks for your surgeon, then you can say "-well they are good enough for a surgeon and you are missing out" lol.
      Reply
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      • Hazel H

        St. Helens

        You’re absolutely spot on! But if you’d have seen my granny’s socks! She used to buy wool jumpers from jumble sales, wash them and unpick them to knit all “the boys” socks for Christmas. The girls got initialled hankies!
        Reply
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    • Jayne V

      Henley in Arden

      What a fantastic idea, i’m Sure your mum will love it and it will comfort her and give her peace by having something to occupy her hands which will help in turn to calm her mind
      Reply
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      • Hazel H

        St. Helens

        Thank you Jayne, I hope it might help her but I’m not sure what she’ll think of it - probably think I’ve gone daft!
        Reply
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    • Michelle M

      Queensland

      I have added the picture of George the dog and Stanley the dachshund for you to see, and yes George has his wee trousers on.lol😂😂
      Reply
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    • Michelle M

      Queensland

      Oh my dog is all finished and he has his trousers and bandana on, but I'm stuck on the armhole decreases, so left it last night and will tackle again over the weekend.😊😊
      Yes handknitted socks would be a lovely pressie for your surgeon, isn't it funny these big important men walk in and they are looking at our knitting.lol.Are you ok,blimmen heck us oldies, not as young as we used to be.😉😉
      Reply
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      • Hazel H

        St. Helens

        Cannot wait to see your dog! I’m glad you thought socks a good idea. My husband though, refuses to let me knit him socks - because my granny used to knit big lumpy ones for him!!!
        Reply
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    • Michelle M

      Queensland

      I was at the Drs on Monday and there was a lady there in a wheelchair and her hands were moving all the time, it was so sad as you could see it was upsetting her, I thought of your mother I hope the blanket helps her Hazel.😊
      Reply
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      • Hazel H

        St. Helens

        You are so kind Michelle! At the risk of sounding rude, I am at the stuffing stage but Lorne needs legs, a tail and a wee collar yet. How are you progressing?
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    • Michelle M

      Queensland

      Well he's Irish so a nice green, it was funny every time he came in to See me when I was in hospital for that week he would go straight to my knitting and pick it up and look at it and he really liked it.i don't know something soft with cables I think, let me know if you think of anything please,he does a lot of rowing so I'm sure it would come in handy.
      Reply
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      • Hazel H

        St. Helens

        I think a green hat would be lovely but not a beret. I made some nice beanies with a cable and I’ve a big heid so it’d probably fit him. He’d need it snug for rowing so it didn’t fall in the water. I was knitting socks on DPNs when I had my procedure and the surgeon was fascinated; I have to see him for another 3 years so I could knit socks for him! Thanks for the inspiration Michelle.
        Reply
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    • Michelle M

      Queensland

      Guess what I brought these gorgeous wee stitch markers on ebay,I have never had them before, I have put a picture of them with the dachshund photos.they are soo cute.😊😊
      Reply
      [1]
    • Michelle M

      Queensland

      Yep wee Lorne is going to need those two extra legs and tail, oh we can't forget the stuffing I was really worried it was going to end up one of those flat toys.lol
      Just so you know I'm not on drugs lol,just bit nutty occasionally.
      I didn't realise that dementia patients suffered from restless hands,that must be so frustrating for them,your blanket will be perfect,those wee beads look great.😊😊
      Reply
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      • Hazel H

        St. Helens

        You might be the only one who thinks you’re nutty, or else I am too, since I love your comments! Got to get Lorne Sausage finished!!! I hope the blanket does help my Mum - she plucks at her clothes constantly and almost rubbed the fur off her poodle, before her GP told us it was a symptom.
        Reply
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    • Michelle M

      Queensland

      Oh I am great yep I am cursing away under my breath, have no idea what I am doing, but i love these patterns and determined not to give up.there is a chance however he might end up just wearing a bandana.(I keep thinking of that song"you can leave your hat on")I could change it to bandana lol😂😂😂
      I was at my surgeons yesterday and he's a wee bald tubby Irish man and I had decided I would knit him a hat,too say thank you.
      well that hats looking really good at the moment.😊😊😊
      Reply
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      • Hazel H

        St. Helens

        What kind of hat do you knit a surgeon? A theatre cap maybe? Please, please keep me updated, I can’t wait!
        Reply
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    • Michelle M

      Queensland

      Oh it looks lovely Hazel,I'm glad the pictures came in handy.has your Mum seen it yet.??
      I am still knitting the dog,the clothes are taking me longer as I have to convert them,boo hoo as you know I'm not a patient person.lol.
      Hope sausage 2 is going well.😊😊
      Reply
      [1]
      • Hazel H

        St. Helens

        Mum hasn’t seen the comforter yet Michelle, ‘cos I had to order the wooden beads which came yesterday. Soon though! I think you’re really great though, being able to play with pattern, even if it’s frustrating. I’d just have given up. I just have two legs and tail to knit for #2 who I’m going to name Lorne ( Lorne Sausage is a square, flat sausage from Scotland, lol). And I found the stuffing in a box in the garage! Everything’s golden!
        Reply
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    • Hazel H

      St. Helens

      I added beads and tassels just to give more variety, after seeing the photos in the book that Michelle M kindly showed me.
      Reply
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    • Michelle M

      Queensland

      Ohh you poor thing moving house, no matter how well organised you think you are it's exhausting,we did it last year.😥😥 I couldn't work out how to do the muzzle on the Labrador as Nicola' s Dexter is very grey there so will have a think about it. Yes I am doing the dog from my new book, I was just reading the outfit pattern and he might end up being a wee rudie one,with just a red bandana (that's the only thing knitted on flat needles lol).
      I hope you find the stuffing for sausage 2, or he's going to be one of those flat dogs.lol (I think you bring out the worst in me lol).have a lovely Mothers Day I hope your Mum loves her blanket.😊😊
      Reply
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      • Hazel H

        St. Helens

        I’m not organised Michelle, which is part of my problem. And I’m confused easily so all boxes look alike! I’ll find that stuffing though. Can’t have a flat sausage (ooh, you are awful, but I like you). I’m still no further on with Sausage#2 but thanks to the book you showed me, I’ve sent away for beads, tassels and a charm for the blanket. Poor mum, when she gets it finally it’ll be too heavy to lift, lol. We’ve had Mothers Day in the UK but I hope yours is terrific, fun and filled with knitting wee rudie dogs! BTW knitting on DPNs does take getting used to but it’s a great thing to master - no sewing up, which is my nemesis.
        Reply
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    • Michelle M

      Queensland

      Well I was going to say it is for my friend in the UK her name is Hazel and she's on Love Knitting and makes dachshund's called "Sausage",that's for the police when they ask me who's going to post the bail to get me out of jail.
      Well nearly finish the dogs body, then I have to try and work out the outfit,the dungarees are knitted in circular needles,which I don't do so going to have to make it up.lol
      I can't wait to see Sausage 2, if he's really good maybe you could sell him to pay to get me out of jail.yep it's late, I'm getting nutty going to bed, goodnight.lol😊😊
      Reply
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      • Hazel H

        St. Helens

        You bring a smile to my miserable face Michelle! I would gladly stand bail for you even half a world away!

        Which dog are you knitting and why does it have dungarees, is it one out of the Lucy Crowther animals? I can’t wait to see Sausage #2 either if I ever finish. Moving house is tiring and I can’t remember the box I put the safety stuffing in. Have a good sleep!
        Reply
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    • Michelle M

      Queensland

      Well the books ok but it's not beautiful and new looking now, lots of ripples.😥😥
      Oh the pictures were just to give you ideas that you could knit as i didnt know if you could crochet.You said you weren't sure what to do and I thought if you wanted to make other things for her it might help.the blanket is very similar to what you have already done.
      I was expecting to get tapped on the shoulder and get told off as here I am in a craft shop taking photos from their for sale books.lol😁😁
      Reply
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      • Hazel H

        St. Helens

        I’m loving your style - just tell them it’s to show a friend in UK, they’re crafters, they’ll be right. So your book lost its newness but it’s inside that counts - I can’t wait to see what you knit from it - any progress on the dog front? I got the head and snout of dachshund#2 done.
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    • Paula W

      This is an amazing idea. I could even see this being great for a baby with some adjustments on the added things. Great job❤️
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      • Hazel H

        St. Helens

        Thanks Paula, this is what I love about fellow crafters, seeing the possibilities! Never popped into my head but with adjustment it might be beneficial for babies.
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      • Paula W

        @Hazel H: you are welcome and it’s great to see different ideas and what someone can create with a ball of wool❤️
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    • Mary E

      What a fantastic blanket, your mum will love it I am sure. I have made the twiddle muffs and they are a great comfort, but this is so much nicer for my daughter in laws nan. I am going to get cracking on one for her. Thank you for sharing.
      Reply
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      • Hazel H

        St. Helens

        Thanks Mary, I took inspiration from the twiddle muffs but was worried my mums toy poodle would think it was for her to sleep in - then mum would get no benefit for fear of disturbing her “darling”.
        Reply
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    • Alison B

      Portsoy

      I think this is a fabulous gift to give to your mum, and will bring her comfort knowing you made it especially for her 💕
      Reply
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      • Hazel H

        St. Helens

        What a lovely thing to say Alison! Thank you.
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    • Michelle M

      Queensland

      Guess what I was in our craftbshop Spotlight and they had a book which was things to make for dementia sufferers, it is crochet but I took pictures of the front and back cover so you can have a look.its just like what you have been making. I put the pictures with my new girl doll, just for you aren't you lucky.😊😊😉😁
      Reply
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      • Hazel H

        St. Helens

        Michelle, you are a star! It will be great to get more tips on how to do a proper job! Now I will have to try again at crochet, or get my niece to do it for me!
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    • Michelle M

      Queensland

      Well I think she will love it, you made it for her and she can out it over her knees and keep them warm.😊😊
      Oh guess what my brand new!!!!! Knitting animals book that only arrived Wednesday, and I was so excited about, my husband brought me a cup of tea and spilt it all over. Yep it wasn't some old pattern I had printed out, course not.😥😥😥but he was being nice bring me a cup of tea.
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      • Hazel H

        St. Helens

        Omg, I would have gone ballistic - can it be recovered? My heart goes out to you, especially as you were so looking forward to tackling them!
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    • Michelle M

      Queensland

      Ohh wow this is fantastic Hazel I thought this was what you meant, every little square has something different in it.have you given it to your Mum yet,she will be able to sit it on her lap and be able to enjoy it.
      Oh it's not your tension I am really noticing the difference in dk I think some of it should really be 4 ply.😊😊
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      • Hazel H

        St. Helens

        Thanks Michelle. I tried to finish before my sister came to see us this afternoon ( my mum didn’t want to come with her) but I still hadn’t done the button so I’ll give it to her soon. Morag, my sister, thought it was a good idea to help mum, so we will see! I’m glad I’m not the only one to be perplexed about different DK yarns; I always use the Yarn Sub site if I’m not using yarn outlined in a pattern just to make sure I get or have something similar but this was a stashbuster project, so I didn’t.
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