General blanket requirements.
- Blankets must be new and handmade. Used or store bought blankets are not accepted for donation.
- Our minimum blanket size is now 36” x 36,” consistent with the Project Linus National standard. The increase of minimum blanket size (previously 30” x 30”) is also due to NICU’s following the “Safe Sleep Environment for Baby” policy that includes no blankets in a crib. For both reasons, we have little need for small knitted or crocheted blankets.
- Please be sure that your blankets have a square or rectangular shape. Star shaped or round crochet blankets are not very versatile for our clients and they have requested we not donate those shapes to them.
- All fabric should be machine washable and fabric should be odor and smoke free. Be sure to use detergent and fabric softer that are “free and clear” of any chemicals that could cause problems for children if you are washing your donations before you drop them off.
- Check that no pins are left in the finished blanket.
- Please be sure there is no pet hair on the finished blanket. If there are pets in the home, please wash the blanket and put it in a clean plastic bag when it comes out of the dryer.
- Fun, bright colors and patterns suitable for kids and that trigger feelings of happiness and comfort are suggested rather than solids, especially those in somber shades like grey, black, brown, olive green.
- If making no-sew fleece blankets, please make only single layer fleece blankets. Instructions for these blankets can be found at https://www.projectlinus.org/, under About, Patterns / Links. Please be sure that finished fleece blankets lie flat and the corners do not curl because the ties or tucks are too tight. The ties should all be located in the same location on each tie and lie flat – no hard knots please.
Here are some examples of cute blankets you can make for the NICU.
