Teddies for Tragedies

TEDDIES FOR TRAGEDIES

Teddies for Tragedies are knitted teddies intended to bring comfort and hope to children around the world.

In 1986, a washable knitted teddy was added to a consignment of medicines going to a refugee camp in the Sudan. The doctor replied “These teddies do more good than the medicines. They cheer the children up, give them hope, and soon they are on the road to recovery.” The teddy knitting began, and a bag was added, increasing the play value. In 1991, Teddies for Tragedies began in Guildford, Surrey. Now there are a number of branches around the country.

BRANCHES collect, check and pack teddies, then find locally supported missionaries or aid groups working with children in tragic circumstances overseas, who would appreciate a gift of teddies for their children. We expect information back, that the teddies have arrived and been handed out, with photographs when possible.

WHERE DO THEY GO? To refugee camps, orphanages and hospitals in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and South America, or wherever we hear of a need for teddies.

FROM RECIPIENTS We know that this teddy is often the first thing a child owns. It encourages use of imagination, manipulative skills, learning of colours, etc. while the bag stores his treasures, gives a home for the teddy, or is sometimes used to carry school books!

PACKING Each teddy is checked, put into its own bag with arms and head showing, the draw string is pulled up around the waist and tucked in so they will stay together, but the child can get the teddy out. Like this they can go into a suitcase or for a larger consignment teddies are packed into a green sack with a Teddies for Tragedies label. The sack weighs approximately 10 kilos, and is approximately 2ft by 2ft square by 1½ ft deep. They travel as accompanied luggage by air, or are pushed into the back of a container.

CUSTOMS We ask that teddies be knitted to the standard pattern, as variations can cause whole consignments to be confiscated by customs officials. Recently a missionary returning to Africa had her knitted dolls (not Teddies for Tragedies) confiscated because one was different from the rest, and the customs officials suspected there was something hidden in it, possibly drugs.

KNITTERS Many people of all ages and abilities knit teddies. For some, knitting gives a purpose in times of bereavement or illness. Moreover, it is a joy to teach a grandchild to knit.

SEWERS make bags by hand or by machine for the teddies to be kept in. Some people will knit a teddy and sew a bag too.

                          TEDDIES FOR TRAGEDIES

                               ARE MADE WITH LOVE,

                                      TO BRING LOVE,

                                             TO BE LOVED.

you can find out more from the Teddies for Tragedies website

Teddies for Tragedies Knitting Pattern

You will need: double knitting wool

main colour for head and paws

trouser colour

jumper colour

scarf colour

Size 10 (3 1/4) needles

Cast on 10 stitches in main colour. Knit 10 rows.

Change to trouser colour and knit 30 rows.

Measure the length of the leg if it’s 3 1/2 “ then you’ll knit a perfect teddy if it’s more/less adjust your needle size.

Knit another leg then knit across all 20 stitches and work a further 15 rows.

Change to jumper colour and knit 24 rows.

Change to main colour and stocking stitch (one row knit one row purl) for 5 1/2 “ (14 cm)

Change to jumper colour and continue to knit in the reverse order.

Stitch down the sides of the head

Make arms: with jumper colour pick up 8

stitches each side of the neck join (16 stitches).

Knit 20 rows then change to main colour and knit 10 rows for paws, repeat for the other arm.

Scarf: Cast on 75 stitches, knit 4 rows.

Cast off loosely.

Weave in all loose ends and sew up the teddy leaving an opening in the crotch for stuffing.

Sew across the top corners of the head to make ears before stuffing. Stuff your teddy with clean, new polyester stuffing (BS1425 or BS5852).

Run a thread through the knitting to make a neck and draw it in, knot the ends and weave the in the excess. Embroider a smiley face. Use small stitches, (back-stitch and stem-stitch) and ensure all the ends are firmly finished.

Sew the scarf to the back of the neck of the teddy so it won’t get lost, but only at the back to increase the possibilities for play.

Make a simple drawstring bag

The bag should be big enough for a teddy (12 - 13” long and 9 - 10” wide).

Turn over and stitch a casing at the top leaving a gap at the side, for the drawstring.

Use only one drawstring. Instructions for making twisted yarn drawstrings from oddments of yarn can be found on the website: www.teddiesfortragedies.org.uk

Check List

1. Teddies should be approximately 10” tall. To check tension, measure the first leg, if it’s 3 1/2” then teddy will be the right size, if not, adjust your needle size.

2. Please adhere to the pattern, as we do like the teddies to be the same to avoid jealousy, i.e. no added hat, skirts, bags etc. Stripes are OK particularly when using up duller colours.

3. When drawing in the neck please weave wool though the knitting, starting at the centre back. Knot the ends together. Do not wind surplus wool round the neck as a child could put their fingers underneath it and break it and perhaps pull the wool out and chew it.

4. Leave the scarf free at the front so child can tie and untie it. Do not use ribbon round the neck.

5. Please embroider mouth in stem stitch or backstitch so that the child cannot pull it out. Please make your teddy look happy!

6. Stuff fairly firmly. With the amount of play the teddy gets, if there is not enough stuffing, it could be shaken down to one end.

7. Don’t put teddy in the bag, all teddies have to be checked and this saves time.

For the latest information of where teddies are needed contact the Mothers' Union Office

(Information taken from the Teddies for Tragedies Website)