This year I decided I would make lapghans for residents at a nearby rehab and nursing facility. As of this writing I’ve completed twenty-two. Here they are stacked on washer. I always make sure to wash lapghans or afghans before I give them as donations or gifts to make sure the stitches stay in place.
They don’t take long to make because for most of them I use a larger hook, and that makes the lapghan work up faster. They are on the small side because there are residents in wheelchairs and I don’t want the lapghan to be too long and get caught up on the wheels.
When I delivered the lagphans, the facility asked if I could make some Fiddle Mats for patients with dementia or Alzheimers. If you’ve never heard of Fiddle Mats, here’s a good post about them. This site also gives you direction to sew the mats, also called Sensory Mats or Fidget Mats.
Once I finish a few mats, I’ll post a picture.
Question: Have you done any special projects this year? Let me know in the comments!
With over a million copies sold, Kathleen Fuller is the author of several bestselling novels, including the Hearts of Middlefield novels, the Middlefield Family novels, the Amish of Birch Creek series, the Amish Letters series, the Brides of Birch Creek series, the upcoming Mail Order Brides of Birch Creek, as well as a middle-grade Amish series, the Mysteries of Middlefield. She has also contributed to numerous novella collections.
I just finishe one baby blanket and have a second started. We have two grandbabies due in July, 4 days apart.
Congratulations! How exciting. 🙂 It’s always fun making things for babies.
I dont know how to knit or crochet, but I’ve started doing some crafts.
Making a chalk board from a $ Tree silver tray. And plan to (try) making a wreath for the front door. When it gets warmer, I hope to make a raised veggie bed.
I did veggies in planters last year because we don’t have the yard for a garden. I did tomatoes, basil, cilantro, and rosemary. I’m going to do it again this year and add a few more things. Good luck with the raised bed. 🙂
P.S. I made a “fidget book” for my older sister, who had Alzheimer’s.
She had been a professional seamstress & really enjoyed playing on the vfidget book
That’s wonderful to hear! I’m glad she enjoys the book. 🙂
I like your lapghan idea. Although I knit. I ‘mindlessly’ make wash rags but could up the ante with larger needles and more stitches and make lapghans instead. How big do you make yours? I see a lot. Quilts, table runners, baby quilts. This last month I made a lot of pincushions with the intent of selling them. We’ll see how that goes. Last week I ran across a video for making quick pillowcases and had fun making 7 of the one day. I like keeping busy.
I just started knitting (!) and I’ve been doing the washcloths too. I like them better than crocheted ones, actually, and it’s good practice since I’m just learning how knitting works.
I should have measured my laphgans–I didn’t think about it. I’ve given them all to the center, but if I make more I’ll be sure to measure it. I do place it over my lap and legs as a rough estimate, but I’m six feet tall and have long legs (my hips ain’t small, either!).
Do you have a link to the pillowcase video? That sounds like fun!
I’m working in an all gray afghan from yarn I was given. Not sure if where it’s hime will be when finished. I am excited and want to check out your fidget pattern. This is something if it is doable for me I’d love to make using the left over yarn I have from oroject s that doesn’t have a hime
I am also a quitter and during lock down pieced and quilted a baby quilt for my grandson born in aug. all from left over scrap and one yard of fabric, And piece d several other tops not quilted yet
I love scrap yarn and fabric projects. The fiddle mat is definitely doable I’m posting about them later this month. I got the pattern from a book, so I’ll post the link to that, too. It’s definitely worth purchasing.
I have been making caps for cancer. I have about six dozen made so far and plan to take some to the cancer center here in Roanoke. Our church ladies made about eighty lapghans a few years ago for a local nursing home home for each resident.
That’s wonderful! Do you use a specific pattern?
In answer to yoir question. At the beginning of the pandemic there was a call from the local hospital and nursing home for a need of mask for patients. I made over 300 and donated them
Wow–that’s awesome. I made some masks, but no where near 300. I’m sure they appreciated every one.
This year’s projects were a pair of matching afghans for my niece and nephew as well as a quilt for myself. For 3 years before that, I was making items using my stash for a hospice. I donated over 200 afghans, lap robes, slippers, bibs, and bears. The volunteer group fell apart, and before I found a new outlet, Covid hit. One of the types of items I made was not “Fiddle blankets”, but something similar. They were called “worry books”. Instead of fabric, they were made of two pieces of plastic canvass hinged and covered with yarn. The same types of items were attached inside with yarn that left the tied ends loose on the outside. I mention this for those who may not sew but have canvas and yarn.
I love this idea! Do you have a pattern or a link to a pattern that you could share? Thank you!
I have been finishing quilts to give to the local pregnancy center to give to expectant mothers.
Wonderful!! 🙂 I’ve been crocheting baby afghans to gift to a local ministry helping families in our area. I’ve gifted 14 so far this year and have another one on my hook now.