Knitting blankets for Hamlin patients

The colourful blankets that all patients at Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia’s hospitals are given on their arrival have come to be a symbol of the warmth and comfort of care that women receive at Hamlin.

But did you know that they are nearly all knitted by dedicated knitters from across the UK?

Communities of knitters, from Knit and Knatter groups, Inner Wheel, the Women’s Institute, Soroptimist Clubs and Church groups come together throughout the year to make colourful square blankets, before they become treasured items for patients at Hamlin hospitals.

“Knitting for women in Ethiopia isn’t hard work. I love to think it’s helping someone and also for me it’s a pleasure… quite therapeutic and addictive”

Hamlin volunteer knitter
A community group supports Hamlin
Community groups across the UK volunteer to knit blankets to be sent to patients.

Here in the UK, blankets are collected on specific weeks during the year at Hamlin Fistula UK’s offices, before being packed up and shipped to our colleagues in Addis Ababa.

Dates for blanket collection weeks in 2023 are:

6 – 10 February 2023

26 – 30 June 2023

23 – 27 October 2023

During these weeks our office in Halesowen, Birmingham will be open every day to receive blankets.

Due to staff and volunteer capacity and storage space it is helpful if knitting is only sent to us during these weeks, when we can ensure there will be someone available to receive packages.

Knitted items can be posted to arrive during these weeks, or dropped off in person.

For full details on how to knit for women and girls in Ethiopia, please find our specific patterns and further guidance on sending to us in this downloadable pdf guide:

Knitting for Hamlin: pdf guidelines 2023