Updated dimensions for KASCuddles as of 6/2011
There are currently so many conflicting dimensions in various places on the Forum, I thought it
might be helpful to clarify what Ronda needs as of now. Eventually Kalai and Sandy will correct
all on the Forum, but they have many more pressing demands at the moment.
All of the patterns on the Forum are currently out of date because length is too short and we are
no longer finishing the bottom rounded like a hat. The only pattern to look at for current dimensions is
the one on the Allfororphans.com Knitalong EXCEPT that the length quoted at 25" is incorrect.
First off, Ronda needs the bottoms of the Cuddles to be finished straight across and with a good
strong bottom seam because the Cuddle will need to take a lot of kicking from the baby on a daily
basis. Second, the collar should be 5 inches. The body of the Cuddle should be 14"-15" across,
and, most importantly, the length of the body should be at least 28" and, if you have enough yarn,
30" long.
These new dimensions all came about after the first Cuddle distribution last fall when Ronda
realized the team needed to serve larger babies up to nine months old and that even the younger
babies need more foot room than the rounded bottom provided.
I am pleased to see that many of our newer members are trying Cuddles. It is perfectly fine to
make a Cuddle on straight needles and seam it up the front as long as the finished dimensions
match the dimensions above.
I hope this will answer many questions that have come up and give current direction to our newer Forum members who are looking for the latest dimensions when they first try a Cuddle. Please remember that the purpose of a Cuddle is warmth so use two strands of wool if you can. If not, don't hesitate to use two strands of acrylic. If you are crocheting, one strand of bulky acrylic or bulky wool yarn in single crochet makes a nice, warm Cuddle.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by P. Jeanne Haessler on -
While updates to the original KAS Cuddle pattern have been posted from time to time around Square Circle Forum (KAS), I think this is a great initiative Helen to get everybody "on the same page". :) There was some comment from Africa about not making the Cuddles in wool as some babies are sensitive to wool and can get itching and rashes from it. Just FYI. Otherwise I wholeheartedly endorse all of this. The babies are kept SO warm in a Cuddle and if it's warm plus abit stretchy with lots of "kick room" then it's totally a winner! :D
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Permalink Reply by Christine Johnson on -
Thanks Helen for re-posting this. There has been some discussion under the UK group recently so obviously newer members need to be brought up to date.
As I find knitting with circular needles uncomfortable I preferred to make mine in one piece, seamed up the front but the new specification, which is more or less a 29" square, is difficult to make with thick yarns on straight needles. Robert's pattern is for two pieces,seamed at the sides but would need to have more stitches than the pattern on site to make it wider - easy enough to do and everything else.would be straightforward.
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Permalink Reply by Helen M. Flagg on -
Christine, I think whatever works for the straight needle knitter......... one piece with front seam or two pieces with two side seams.........is fine as long
as the dimensions work out, the knitter is comfortable with the process, and the result is warm.
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Permalink Reply by Helen M. Flagg on
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Jeanne, I have not heard about babies getting rashes from the wool. I guess the caregivers would have to tell
the distribution team if the baby is allergic and ask for an acrylic Cuddle for that baby. It's pretty easy to
tell which ones are wool and which ones are acrylic, and I know both kinds are being made and sent.
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Permalink Reply by P. Jeanne Haessler on
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Yeah it was just a comment flitting around in the back of my head so I thought I'd mention it....probably it came up because some wools are very scratchy and they wanted soft Cuddles. However I've read of a couple of places now that process their own wool yarns and they come up incredibly soft. They don't use the harsh chemical processes that break the long wool fiber into short lengths that stick and prickle us. I'm sure the gals here will make sure any wools used are nice and soft!
As you say, so long as people label the Cuddles acrylic or wool then decisions can be made and I can see the value of a wool Cuddle if the mother is outside in the rain a lot as wool would keep the baby warm when it rains and gets wet. And that's incredibly important! :D
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