Knitting comfort blankets in mama’s memory
ASPLEY university student Amy Mann has formed a ‘mama blanket’ group to ensure that people’s last days aren’t spent in a blue hospital blanket.
Amy, 29, is carrying on an idea from her grandmother Kathleen Lawrence, 77, who died suddenly in March.
Kathleen used to knit ‘mama blankets’ for those who had experienced baby loss, then went on to knit these blankets for family and friends.
Now, Amy is continuing to follow in her grandmother’s footsteps and is knitting blankets for Yorkshire, Nottingham and North West hospitals.
Amy spoke more about her grandmother, who was originally born in Glasgow but lived in Nottingham for a time. She said: “My mama was a loving and beautiful person, she learnt hello in different languages which brightened up people’s day.
“Everywhere we went, she’d make an impact. I remember once, she told my old manager ‘you don’t mess with the best because the best don’t mess.’ She was a funny character.”
Amy is studying Adult Nursing at the University of York. It is her second degree. Amy made it her mission to learn how to knit after her grandmother died.
She said: “She [her grandmother] would be proud of the knitting, it used to stress her out when she was trying to teach me.
“Now, I knit loads. I was the palliative carer for my mama but these blankets will change lives because even though it’s absolutely awful when someone dies, the dignity of death can be a beautiful thing.
“Whenever anyone was upset, my mama would knit them a blanket, and when my mum was clearing out her house, there was loads of materials left so I learnt. Now, if my housemate is upset I’ll go and fetch a ‘mama blanket.’”
The first ‘mama blanket’ was sent to a Yorkshire hospice in April as a gesture of comfort to a patient and their loved ones.
Amy said: “I hate those horrible blue blankets in the hospital, a lot of people die alone and won’t have any comfort, but with these blankets, it will give them a bit of comfort.
“I want people to feel like they’re loved and cared for, even if they haven’t got anyone, them just knowing that thought and love has gone into these blankets shows that someone cared. I wouldn’t want to go into the hospital and be in a blue blanket knowing that I’m going to die.”
The blankets have different crochet patterns on them. Amy continued and said: “A hospital in Yorkshire is taking in the blankets and people are wanting to learn. I’ve been asked to do videos on how to do it, the response has been great so far.”
Mary Mann, Kathleen’s daughter and Amy’s mother, added: “I feel very proud of Amy for creating something for others out of a tragic situation, despite feeling devastated herself.
“Mum always tried to help others and often put her own feelings aside to offer emotional support and guidance. She would be so proud of what you are doing. She loved making her mama blankets for everyone and was even thinking of starting doing fiddle blankets in the future for people with Dementia. She had the hugest heart and is so very missed.”