Are you a knitter? Woollen gifts have always helped raise funds and made great bespoke presents for loved ones. We asked one of our volunteers for a popular pattern that won’t tax the needles too much, but will still go down well with supporters, friends and family

YELLOW BABY BOOTIES

‘I was inspired by the lifeboat crew and the Flood Rescue Team and wanted to help. I hope this pattern helps raise funds for the lifesavers.’

Before Sally Mabey went along to Penarth Lifeboat Station with her husband, she didn’t expect to be able to help save lives at sea. But then Jen Abell, Community Safety Manager, found out that Sally was a keen knitter. Jen encouraged Sally to get knitting in aid of the RNLI, and it wasn’t long before Sally found her perfect pattern: booties for babies, inspired by lifeboat crew wellies.

‘I managed, with the help of three friends, to take 106 of these knitted wellies to Barry Dock Lifeboat Station for the fundraisers to sell,’ says Sally. ‘Then the pattern started getting shared! I’m delighted at the idea of people using it to make families happy – and safe.’

THE PATTERN
For knitters with some experience
Materials needed:
1x 25g ball each of yellow and black double
knitting (DK) acrylic yarn
1 pair of 3.25mm (UK size 10) knitting needles

Abbreviations:
DK – double knitting
Inc – increase
K – knit
K2tog – knit 2 stitches together
P – purl
P2tog – purl 2 stitches together
Sl 1 – slip one
St – stitch
St st – stocking stitch
TBL – through back of loop

Cast on 29 sts, using thumb method
First row: Knit one row
Second row: K13, inc in next st, K1, inc in next
st, K13 (31sts)
Third row: K13, inc in next st, K3, inc in next st,
K13 (33sts). Change to yellow DK wool and work
4 rows in st st

Shape toe
Next row: K20, K2tog through back
of loops, turn
Next row: Sl 1, P7, P2tog, turn
Next row: Sl 1, K7, K2tog TBL, turn
Next row: Sl 1, P7, P2tog, turn
Repeat last two rows until 7sts remain on each
side of toe shaping

Shape ankle
Next row: Sl 1, knit to end
Next row: P7, turn
Next row: Sl 1, knit to end
Next row: Purl
Next row: K7, turn
Next row: Sl 1, purl to end

Work leg
Work 11 rows in st st, (ending on right side)
Next row: (wrong side) Knit
Next row: (right side) Knit
Cast off knitwise on wrong side.
Sew up back seam in yellow, and sew sole seam in black.