Tiny Shroud

Tiny shrouds are knitted and presented to the nursing staff at Mt. Sinai Hospital, who in turn offer them to any family suffering from a still-birth, as an act of love, and to provide dignity for the child's body.

Commitment: Work on your time at your own pace. Materials and Instructions provided.

A beautiful ministry initiated due to the number of still-births that often happen in hospitals each week. In response to a desire at Mount Sinai Hospital, tiny shrouds are knitted and presented to the nursing staff, who in turn offer them to any family suffering such loss, as an act of love and faith, and to provide dignity for the child's body. The parents of these infants are greatly consoled by the experience of holding their child one last time.

Basic knitting skills are all that is required and you are asked to pray while knitting the tiny shrouds. Wool and instruction are provided and made available at the Newman Centre.

How do I get involved?

To volunteer with Tiny Shrouds, please contact Nicole Castelino, the Pastoral and Executive Assistant, at nicole.castelino@newmantoronto.com.

With regards to wool, materials and other interesting knitting concerns, please contact a current volunteer, Nicole Lau at nicole.lau@utoronto.ca

DIRECTIONS:

INFANT SHROUD & BONNET

1 Ball Fine 3 Ply Baby Wool
1 Pair 3 1/4 mm Knitting Needles

SHROUD:
Cast on 82 stitches.
Knit 16 rows.
Row 17: Knit 11, Purl 60, Knit 11
Row 18: Knit across row.
Repeat Rows 17 & 18 to measure 19'' from beginning.
Knit 16 Rows.
Cast off.
Block. Should be approximately 12'' x 20''.

BONNET:
Cast on 48 stitches.
Rows 1-6: Knit 1 Purl 1, repeat across row.
Knit 1 row;

Purl 1 row for 10 rows.
Row 17: Knit 6 Purl 2 together across row, Knit last 6 stitches.
Row 18: Knit across row.
Row 19: Knit 5, Purl 2 together across row, Knit last 5 stitches.
Row 20: Knit across row.
Row 21: Knit 4, Purl 2 together across row, Knit last 4 stitches.
Row 22: Knit across row.
Row 23: Knit 3, Purl 2 together across row, Knit last 3 stitches.
Row 24: Knit across row.
Row 25: Knit 2, Purl 2 together across row, Knit last 2 stitches.
Row 26 : Knit across row.
Break wool.
Draw yarn end through remaining stitches and pull tight.
Weave in ends.