Calling All Knitters and Crocheters

Once in a blue moon a spectacular act of craftivism will pop up.  It’s our opportunity to break out our needles and hooks and bring awareness to causes we love and support.

Over the past couple of weeks one of these amazing acts of craftivism has popped up, and we’re joining the cause.

Click for Babies is a grassroots campaign that invites knitters and crocheters across North America to make purple colored baby hats that will be delivered to families in November and December to bring awareness to the period of purple crying.

What is the period of purple crying?  It is the time when a baby will cry more than other time in their life, and is difficult to soothe.  Some babies will cry more, some less, but all babies will go through this period of increased crying in early infancy.  It is during this time that children are at the highest risk of shaken baby syndrome.

Why make hats?  These little hats will be given to infants with instructional materials about purple crying and how to cope with this often stressful time period.  They are a physical reminder that the period of purple crying is normal, it's no one's fault, and it’s not going to last forever.

It is the hope of the Click for Babies campaign that bringing greater awareness to purple crying will lessen the numbers of children that are impacted by shaken baby syndrome.  In the United States, shaken baby syndrome is the leading cause of death in child abuse cases.  About 30 per 100,000 children under the age of 1 suffer from shaken baby syndrome each year.

Starting today and through the entire month of September we are encouraging our friends to join us in knitting and crocheting these amazing little reminders.  We are offering 30% off all purple yarns and free patterns for those interested in this act of loving craftivism, and are also inviting those that don’t know how to knit or crochet to join us, by offering free lessons to get you started.  Will you join us? 

For further information about the period of purple crying, shaken baby syndrome, the purple hat campaign, free patterns, and participating hospitals in your area can be found at clickforbabies.org.   For patterns only follow this link.