A Warm Welcome to All – Welcome Blanket Project
Welcome Blanket: 2000 miles of warm welcome
For more details visit the Welcome Blanket Project
Join thousands of knitter’s nationwide as we collaborate to create a warm handmade welcome for immigrants to the United States. From the team that conceived the #pussyhat project comes a new endeavor. A handmade message of warmth and welcome to those who’ve recently come to the USA. This project invites knitters (and weavers, crocheters & quilters) to make and donate a simple handmade blanket. Makers are encouraged to tag the blanket with a note or brief story to welcome the recipient. The blankets are being collected and displayed by the SMART Museum in Chicago, and at the close of the exhibit the blankets will be distributed to refugees and immigrants across the country.
From the project website:
The proposed border wall between the United States and Mexico is almost 2000 miles long. Imagine if the massive distance of this wall was re-conceptualized and re-contextualized not to divide, but to include. Instead of wall, a concrete line, to keep people out, what if lines of yarn became 3,500,640 yards of blankets to welcome people in?
A welcome blanket is traditionally created to lovingly mark the arrival of a new person into the world. In the Welcome Blanket project, each handmade blanket is a physical manifestation of this celebration of new refugees and other immigrants: “Welcome to the United States and your new life here! We are so glad you have arrived.”
We want you to join us! Make a blanket and share your story as a gift to a new immigrant to the United States.
If a 40”x 40” throw blanket averages 1200 yards, Welcome Blanket requires about 3200 blankets to reach 2000 miles of length.
How to participate:
If you’re interested, here’s what you can do! You (or you and a group of friends) will make a simple 40″x40″ throw blanket. You can make it in small squares and join them together, or use any pattern of your choosing. The suggestion is for a Bulky weight yarn, but anything will work as long as it works up to approximately 40″x40″ The only rule is to “make something you would enjoy receiving” so it should be new, clean, fresh, and made with love!
Below is a pattern and note template you can work from, and we encourage you to check out the full details here: Welcome Blanket FAQ
Please note: The original deadline has been extended and blankets are being accepted by the SMART Museum until November 4th! Shipping to the museum is free, you can access the details on the FAQ Page here. Or, you can drop off your blankets at Halcyon Yarn by October 30th and we’ll ship it for you.
Join us for a Welcome Blanket party in October!
If you’re near the store in Bath, Maine we’re having a Welcome Blanket making party at Halcyon Yarn in October. Light refreshments and a materials discount will be offered. Drop by to get help stitching squares together, drop off finished pieces, or just spend some time knitting with friends! Stay tuned for details here!
