Parishioners knit 400 hats for premature babies

A Merthyr Tydfil craft group have knitted more than 400 tiny hats for premature babies born during lockdown.

Ladies from across the Parish of Merthyr Tydfil, St David and Abercanaid continued to meet every Monday afternoon via Zoom to stay in touch during lockdown, and continue to knit and chat. The project supports the neonatal department in both Prince Charles Hospital, Merthyr Tydfil and University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff.

Brenda Griffiths, founding member of the Knit 'n Natter group, was inspired when her daughter, a doctor at University Hospital of Wales, told her of a growing need for baby hats in the neonatal unit.

"When my daughter told me of the hospital’s need to have a constant supply of baby hats I mentioned it to the group and we seized the opportunity to do good," said Brenda

"During lockdown, we collectively knitted well over 400 tiny hats and these have now been gifted to the neonatal units of Prince Charles Hospital and the University of Wales Hospital. The best thing is that this is not a one-off project. We continue to knit hats for neonatal care, as well as baby cardigans for a local women’s refuge."

When a baby is born pre-term or is in need of a little help at the start of their life, they are often placed in an incubator. To maintain the baby’s body temperature the most efficient way is to place a tiny woollen hat on the baby’s head. Due to strict hygiene rules, these hats need to be single use, and a new hat is required for each baby.

The Revd Charlotte Rushton, Assistant Curate in the parish, said, "Our knit and natter ladies were determined to put their skills to good use during lockdown and offer support where they could.

I’M INCREDIBLY PROUD OF HOW THESE WONDERFUL LADIES RALLIED AROUND TO SPREAD SOME JOY DURING VERY DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES.“