I have learnt that babies who are born a few months prematurely, so-called ‘premature babies’, are so small that clothes in sizes 42 to 48 are not available in shops for them. In hospital, premature babies do get clothes, but they are single-coloured and functional, because feeding tubes and cables have to fit through and must not slip when changing nappies and clothes. That really touched me. A friend of mine had founded the organization „Eine Handvoll Liebe“, in which she called on people to sew, crochet and knit clothes in this mini size. I really wanted to help.

I thought I had two left hands and would never learn! 😊

I started buying fabrics online that were nice and colourful and would be fun for the child and mother to wear to forget the hospital atmosphere, which I donated to the hard-working seamstresses of the association so that they could sew the clothes I wanted. As this was not enough for me and I wanted to ‘produce’ something myself, I thought to myself after a while: ‘But it can't be that difficult!’. So I did some research and found a video on YouTube: ‘Crochet for beginners’. So I got myself some crochet hooks and wool and tried and tried and crocheted away until I made my first bonnet in the shape I was happy with.

I had great fun experimenting with colours and patterns and when I had my first collection of booties, scarves, mittens and bonnets, I was very happy.

Mums can order what they need from us and we then produce the little works of art. These mothers, who have been through a lot of suffering, worry and despair and are finally allowed to leave hospital with their baby, are very happy to have so much colour for their little one. That gave me a lot. I then contacted our handicrafts team at the bank and was able to get them enthusiastic about this idea. Thank you so much for all your support!

I now sit comfortably on the floor in the evening, surrounded by balls of wool and crochet. It's relaxing for me and I also have the good feeling that I'm doing something meaningful. Something that I enjoy and with which I can make others happy. What could be better?

I am very proud that I have learnt something that I could never have imagined in my wildest dreams. You never stop learning! Just try it out. If you don't try something, you don't know if you can do it.

And one more thought: if everyone did a bit of social work, the world would certainly look different. And - it would give life even more meaning!

Author: Irene Kronemann