Steps for Makers

Make a Welcome Blanket!

Everyone is welcome to craft a Welcome Blanket. All mediums are welcome. We even have a pattern to try, and some wonderful examples. Here are the design guidelines:

1. 40”X40”

2. Easy to care for and

3. Hard to give away (it should hurt a little bit because you love it so much!)

Write a Welcome Note

With your Welcome Blanket, please include a story important to your family about immigration, migration, or relocation along with some words of welcome for the recipient of your Welcome Blanket gift

Please also include your name (anonymous is ok!), city/state, and care instructions.

Send your Welcome Blanket gift to our rotating host

Welcome Blanket has operated continuously since 2017. We are grateful to our hosts who act as collection points.

Please log your Welcome Blanket online prior to sending to help us with our archive and so we can share your gorgeous contribution to this national project!

The Museum of Work and Culture is our current host! From now to May 15, 2024, please send your work here:

Welcome Blanket
℅ Museum of Work and Culture
42 South Main Street
Woonsocket, RI, 02895

Please share your experience in person and online using @welcomeblanket and #welcomeblanket

Please note: By sending or giving your piece to Welcome Blanket Project, you are permanently gifting and granting all rights with regard to the piece to the project. In particular, you are acknowledging that it may be posted on social media, licensed for materials (for example: books, t-shirts, catalogs) associated with the project and possibly exhibited at multiple locations prior to being gifted to a new American neighbor. The goals of Welcome Blanket Project include exhibition and publication. Many other options are being explored. The Museum would also love for you to fill out this release to make sure all “i”s and “t”s are crossed.

Yes, Welcome Blanket is a 501c3 with Tax I.D. #82-3710239.

GROUPS!

Welcome Blanket Chapters have been forming across the country: at schools, service groups, crafting guilds, and libraries. If you and your group are interested in getting started, please get in touch.

Volunteer Opportunities

If you are in LA, or would like to help out from afar, please fill out this form.

PATTERNS!

The following is a collection of patterns for making a Welcome Blanket. We are starting with Kat Coyle's "Come Together" blanket. We love it because it can be done in pieces - you can knit on the go and you can knit as part of a group. The simple square piece comes together in a 4X4 square. Choose your colors, number of colors, choose your shape and get to it!  We are also including a "My Welcome Blanket Template" to plan out your piece.

If you would like to submit your pattern to share with the wider community, please include an image of the finished blanket and detailed instructions/video link to welcomeblanket@gmail.com

“Come Together Blanket”
(40”X40” LAP blanket)

MATERIALS: Universal Yarn Deluxe Bulky Superwash (100% Superwash Wool; 106 yd/97m per 3.5oz/100g)
MC:  #936, CC: #934, 6 skeins each
Needles: US 11/8 mm straight (or size needed to achieve gauge)
Notions: tapestry needleGauge: 12 sts and 24 rows = 4” in Garter Stitch

Make 16 squares:
With MC, CO 2sts
Row 1: K1, inc 1 (with backward loop), k to end.
Rep Row 1, to 46 sts (or 10” measured along right edge).
Break Yarn / join CC.
Next Row: K1, k2tog, k to end.
Rep last row until 2 sts remain.
Next Row: K2tog. Fasten off.

Finishing: Arrange Squares and whipstitch together
Neatly weave in loose ends.

Need help? Check out our tutorial.

Barbara's Quilt Pattern

Barbara Chojnacki created a quilt pattern based on the "Come Together Blanket." 

Amy's crochet pattern translation!
Come Together Blanket - Crochet Square

Adapted for crochet with permission from designer Kat Coyle
By Amy O’Neill Houck, June, 2017

40” x 40” Lap Blanket
Yarn: Cascade Eco+, (100% Peruvian HIghland Wool, 250g/8.75oz, 478 yards/437 meters)
Color A: 2 skeins. Color B: 2 skeins
USJ/6mm crochet hook
Notions: Tapestry needle
Gauge: 11 sts and 11 rows = 4 inches in hdc

Stitches:
Hdc: Half double crochet (turning chain does not count as a stitch)
Hdc2tog (decrease): Hdc two stitches together (yarn over, insert hook into the first stitch, pull up a loop, insert hook into the next stitch, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through all three loops on hook).

TIP: When decreasing at the ends of rows, be sure to decrease into the top of the last stitch which can look deceptively like part of the turning ch that’s just beyond it.

Pattern:
Make 16 squares.
With Color A, Ch 3.
Row 1: Work 3 hdc in third chain from hook. Turn.
Row 2: Ch 2, 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next st, 2 hdc in last st. Turn. (5 sts)
Row 3: Ch 2, 2 hdc in first st, hdc to last st, 2 hdc in final st. Turn. (7 sts)

Repeat row 3 for pattern, until side edges of your right triangle measure 10 inches, or desired length (Your stitch count will grow by 2 sts per row. The length of the side edges equal the size of your square).

Fasten off Color A. Turn. Attach Color B at beginning of next row.

Decrease Row: Ch 2, hdc2tog into first 2 sts, hdc up to last two stitches, hdc2tog in final 2 sts. Turn.

Work decrease row until 3 sts remain.

Final Row: (No turning chain). Finish by slipping hook through all three remaining sts, yarn over, pull through all sts.(1 loop remains on hook). Fasten off. Weave in ends. Wash and block to desired measurements.

Finishing: Arrange squares and whipstitch together. Weave in ends.

Welcome Note Templates

With your beautiful blanket, please include a welcome note. Anyone who contributed to the blanket is invited to welcome our new neighbor!

We will not publish your full physical or email addresses. Please make it easy for us to keep your information safe- write information you do not want shared publicly on the back of your note, or in a place that is easy to cover when we photograph your note to upload to the gallery. 

The information we will publish is:

Your Name (first, last or anonymous), Location (City, State, Country)
A story important to my family's immigration/migration/relocation:
Some words of welcome and advice about living in the US:
Yards used (estimate is fine!), Dimensions, Care Instructions

Prior to sending your gift, if you are able, please help us by logging your work online here.

Traditional Welcome Note Tag

Here is a full page version of the note to print and a link to a PDF form, if it is easier for you to type.

Welcome Blanket ON CALL Welcome Note

English

Welcome Blanket ON CALL Welcome Note

Español

LOCATIONS

Brick-and-mortar Yarn Stores and other Community Partners have started to join us! If you are a craft-related business/organization in the physical and/or digital realm, and want to be listed, contact us here. If you don't see your local yarn store or other business/organization listed, get in touch with them and let them know about us. Perhaps, they will want to join!

Here are various ways our Allies can help you:

Beginners Welcome!

This Ally welcomes beginning crafters (knitters, crocheters, quilters, weavers, etc.)! They will happily answer your questions about how to make a #welcomeblanket.

Gatherings! and Knit-Alongs!

This Ally welcomes crafters of all levels to knit together!  (also see GATHERINGS for additional options)

Discounts/Promotion!

This Ally offers a #welcomeblanket related discount.

Donations Accepted!

This Ally allows you to call in and buy yarn (or other blanket-making materials) for them to give to others to craft a #welcomeblanket, if you wish to contribute that way.

Drop off  Location! 

This Ally will allow makers to drop off their blanket packages and coordinate shipping/delivery.

Community Partners

AL, AK, AS, AR coming soon!

AZ

Purl in the Pines, LLC
2544 N. 4th Street
Flagstaff, AZ 86004 USA
http://www.purlinthepines.com
(928) 774-9334
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Discounts / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location

CA

The Little Knittery
3195 Glendale Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90039
https://thelittleknittery.com/
(323)663-3838
Beginners Welcome / Knit Alongs / Drop Site / Promotion/ Donations Welcome

Piedmont Yarn & Apparel
4171 Piedmont Avenue, Suite 102
Oakland, California 94611 United States
http://www.piedmontyarn.com
(510) 595-9595
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Discounts / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location

Cast Away
100 4th Street
Santa Rosa, CA 95401 USA
http://castawayandfolk.com
(707) 546-9276
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location
Note: We have plenty of space for gatherings, just come on it anytime, or contact us if you'd like to host a larger group

Quilt'n'Things Fiber Arts
2411 Honolulu Avenue
Montrose, CA 91020 USA
http://www.quiltnthings.com
(818) 957-2287
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Discounts / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location

The Knitting Tree, L.A.
1031 W. Manchester Blvd., Suite 2
Inglewood, CA 90301 United States
http://theknittingtreela.com
(310) 395-3880
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs

Wildfiber Studio
1453 14th Stt, Suite E
Santa Monica, California 90404 United States
http://www.wildfiberstudio.com
(310) 458-2748
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location
Note: Join our knit-alongs every Thursday evening 6pm-8pm. Beginners are welcome to join and learn to knit or crochet the Welcome Blanket.
We have plenty of room for private group gatherings Tuesdays - Sundays. Call us to schedule.

CO

The Yarn Studio
126 Elk Ave 1W, PO Box 3027
Crested Butte, CO 81224 United States
(970) 201-5760
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Discounts / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location

CT

Madison Wool
56 A Wall Street
Madison, CT 06443 USA
http://www.madisonwool.com
(203) 245-5921
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Discounts / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location

GA

The Craftivist
743 Edgewood Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30307 USA
http://thecraftivist.com
(404) 330-8023
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Discounts / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location

DE, DC, FL, HI, ID, IN, KS, KY, LA, coming soon!

IA

The Knitting Shoppe
2141 Muscatine Ave.
Iowa City, Iowa 52240 United States
http://theknittingshoppe@etherbiz.net
(319) 337-4920
Beginners Welcome / Discounts / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location 

IL

Sister-Arts Studio Inc.
721 W Wrightwood Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614 USA
http://www.sisterartsstudio.com
(773) 929-7274
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Discounts / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location

Firefly Fiber Arts Studio
2052 W. North Ave
Chicago, IL 60647 USA
http://www.fireflyfiberarts.com
(773) 697-4046
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Discounts / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location

Nina Chicago
1256 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60642 USA
http://www.ninachicago.com
(773) 486-8996
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Discounts / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location

Knit Nirvana
7453 W. Madison
Forest Park, Il 60130 United States
http://Knitnirvana.com
(708) 771-5232
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Discounts / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location
Note: 10%off of all yarn for this project!

MA

Mind's Eye Yarns
22 White St.
Cambridge, MA 02140
(617) 354-7253
 http://www.mindseyeyarns.com
Beginners Welcome/ Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Discounts /  Drop-off Location 

Uncommon Yarn
1386A Beacon St.
Brookline, MA 02446
(857)352-4281
WWW.UncommonYarn.Com
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Discounts / Drop-off Location
Note: We will be hosting a Welcome Blanket knit circle from 1-3 on November 11th and 12th!

Gather Here
1343 Cambridge St
Cambridge, MA 02139 USA
http://gatherhereonline.com
(617) 714-4880
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Discounts / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location

Elissa's Creative Warehouse
220 Reservoir Street, Suite 10
Needham, MA 02494 USA
http://www.weloveyarn.com
(781) 444-9341
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Discounts / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location
Note: We will be hosting 2 Gatherings at the shop, Sundays, October 3 & 17 from 7-9:00. For a more informal get-together, knitters are welcome to join us at the Creative Warehouse on Sundays in October from 1-3:00 to work on their blankets or just knit a couple of rows on one we have started.

ME

HILLTOP HANDSPUN
16 Lucy Lane
Lovell, ME 04051 USA
http://hilltophandspun.com
(207) 928-2000
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Discounts / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location
(Note: Please call ahead, hours by appointment!)

Eastport Fabric Emporium
52 Water Street
Eastport, Maine 04631 USA
http://eastportfabricemporium.com
(207) 214-6505
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Discounts / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location

MD

Lovelyarns
3610 Falls Road
Baltimore, MD 21211 USA
http://www.lovelyarns.com
(410) 662-9276
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Discounts / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location

MI

Spun
407 N. 5th Avenue, 2nd Floor
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104 United States
(734) 780-7867
Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location

GarenHuis Yarn Studio
27 W. 9th St Ste 110
Holland, MI 49423 USA
http://garenhuis.com
(616) 294-3492
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Discounts / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location

Woven Art
325B Grove
East Lansing, MI 48823 USA
http://wovenartshop.com
(517) 203-4467
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location

MN

Northfield Yarn
314 Division St. S.
Northfield, MN 55057 United States
http://www.northfieldyarn.com
(507) 645-1330
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Discounts / Donations Welcome

NC

Purl's Yarn Emporium
10 Wall street
Asheville, NC 28801 USA
http://www.purlsyarnemporium.com
(828) 253-2750
Beginners Welcome / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location

Cheers To Ewe!
9856 Gilead Road, Suite E105
Huntersville, NC 28078 USA
http://www.cheerstoewe.com
(704) 706-9425
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Discounts / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location

Kniticality
55 Robin Lane
Saluda, North Carolina 28773 United States
http://kniticality.com
(828) 749-3640
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Discounts / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location
Note: Check our online calendar at www.kniticality.com/classes for group meeting times or come on in and stitch a while!

NE

Yarn Charm
5930 S 58th St, Ste N
Lincoln, Nebraska 68516 United States
http://yarncharm.com
(402) 858-6300
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Discounts / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location
Note: Welcome Blanket volunteers are meeting at our Tuesday knit/crochet night from 6-8pm. We're happy to have anyone join along!

NH

Scratch
18 Hanover St
Lebanon, NH 03766 USA
https://www.scratchsupplyco.com
(603) 727-9528
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Discounts / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location

NM

Yarn & Coffee
1836B Cerrillos Road
Santa Fe, NM 87505 US
http://www.yarnandcoffee.com
(505) 780-5030
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Discounts / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location

NY

Knitty City
208 West 79th Street
New York, NY 10024 USA
http://www.knittycitynyc.com
(212) 787-5896
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Discounts / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location
Notes: We will host KALs on Thursdays from 5:00 - 6:00. 10% discount on yarn. Bring donation yarn and drop off blankets during store hours. Thanks for your contributions!

Kettle & Thread
1219 Church Ave
Brooklyn, New York 11218 United States
http://www.kettleandthread.com
(347) 515-3540
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location

Healingwithspirits
4810 Beach 48th st
Brooklyn, NY 11224 United States
http://healingwithspirits.com
(718) 872-6268
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Discounts / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location

Knit
1353 Old Northern Blvd
Roslyn, NY 11576 USA
http://knitlongisland.com/
(516) 625-5648
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location
Note: We will be collecting 10” blanket squares at Knit through August 1st. At the August 2nd Knit Night (6:30-9pm)

Slip Stitch Needlecraft
450 Nostrand Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11216 United States
http://www.slipstitchneedlecraft.com
(347) 789-5371
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Discounts / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location
Note: 10% discount on yarn. Beginners welcome. Our KAL and CAL Wednesdays, 5:00 - 7:30pm 

OH

Silk Road Textiles
6106 Hamilton Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45224 United States
http://silkroadcincinnati.com
(513) 541-3700
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Donations Welcome

Wholly Craft!
3515 N. High St.
Columbus, OH 43214 USA
http://www.whollycraft.com
(614) 447-3445
Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Drop-off Location

HARPS & THISTLES YARN EMPORIUM
129 PORTAGE TRAIL
CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH 44221 United States
http://www.harpsandthistles.com
(234) 208-9482
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Discounts / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location

Fine Points Inc
12620 Larchmere Blvd.
Cleveland, Oh 44120 USA
http://www.finepoints.com
(216) 229-6644
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Discounts / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location

OR

Fiber Rhythm Craft & Design
2505 SE 11th Ave, Suite 124
Portland, Oregon 97202 United States
http://FiberRhythm.com
(503) 236-7318
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Discounts / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location

Starlight Knitting Society
7028 SE 52nd Ave
Portland, Or 97206 US
http://www.starlightknittingsociety.com
(503) 777-1715
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Discounts / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location
Note: Welcome Blanket Parry on 7/12/17!

PA

The Steel City Fiber Collective
5817 Ellsworth Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15232 USA
http://www.steelcityfiber.com
(412) 362-7222
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location

Yarns By Design
622 Allegheny River Blvd.
Oakmont, PA 15139 United States
http://www.yarnsbydesignpa.com
(412) 794-8332
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Discounts / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location

Mountain Knits & Pearls
114 Washington St.
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301 USA
http://www.mtnknitspearls.com
(570) 424-7770
Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location

McWalker Yarns
303 Grant Ave
Millvale, PA 15209 USA
http://www.mcwalker.us
(412) 821-5000
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Discounts / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location 

TX

Hill Country Weavers
4102 Manchaca Rd
Austin, TX 78704 United States
(512) 707-7396
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Discounts / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location
Notes: 10% discount for Welcome Blanket participants, and we are accepting donations of 10" x 10" squares through August 18th!

Klaus Insurance Agency
1501 Goforth Road, Suite 104
Kyle, TX 78640 United States
https://wordpress.com/page/hankandgracie.com/65
Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs /  Drop-off Location

VA

House Mountain Yarn Co.
117 S. Main Street
Lexington, VA 24450-3781 United States
http://Housemountainyarnco.com
(540) 462-2931
Beginners Welcome / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location

VT

Yarn
80 S Main Street, Suite 3, WATERBURY, VT 05676
(802) 241-2244
FB: yarnvt IG: yarnvt9
Discounts / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location

A Quilter's Garden, Inc
342 River St, Montpelier, VT 05602
(802) 223-2275
FB: aquiltersgardeninc
IG: aquiltersgardenvt
Beginners Welcome / Space for Gatherings / Discounts / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location
10% off supplies purchased for making a Welcome Blanket.

Northeast Fiber Arts Center
7531 Williston Rd., Williston, VT 05495
(802) 288-8081
IG: northeastfiberarts
Beginners Welcome / Discounts
10% discount on the purchase of 7 balls of Encore, a machine washable and dryable yarn. (7 sks is about what it will take to make a 40 x 40 blanket).

Grand Isle Art Works
259 US Rte 2, SOUTH HERO, Vermont 05486-4911
(802) 734-7448
FB: GrandIsleArtWorks
IG: 1797house
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Discounts / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location
We can offer 10% off any of our Vermont made yarns.

Hermit Thrush Fiber Co.
25a Main Street, Bristol, VT 05443
(603) 397-7202
FB: hermitthrushfiberco
IG: hermitthrushfiberco
Beginners Welcome / Space for Gatherings / Discounts / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location
10% off yarn purchases for folks making Welcome Blankets. We are happy to host space for any groups!

Must Love Yarn
2438 Shelburne Road, Shelburne, Vermont 05401
(802) 448-3780
IG: mustloveyarn
Discounts / Drop-off Location
10% off yarn purchases for folks making Welcome Blankets.

Green Mountain Yarn & Fiber
259 Woodstock Ave, Rutland, VT 05701 US
(802) 775-7800
FB: GreenMountainFibersYarn
IG: greenmountainyarnandfiber
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Discounts
10% off yarn used to make a Welcome Blanket.

Yankee Pride Quilts
9 Main St, Essex Junction, VT 05452
(802) 872-9300
FB: yankeepridequilts
IG: yankeepridequilts
Beginners Welcome / Space for Gatherings / Discounts / Drop-off Location
10% off fabric purchased for Welcome Blanket projects.

WA

Northwest Yarns
1401 Commercial st
Bellingham, Washington 98225 United States
https://nwyarns.com/
(360) 738-0167
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Discounts / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location
Note: Please let us know you are knitting squares for Welcome Blankets and we will be sure to give you a discount on your yarn.

Seattle Yarn
5633 California ave SW
Seattle, WA 98136 US
http://www.seattleyarn.com
(206) 935-2010
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Discounts / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location

The Weaving Works
http://weavingworks.com
Beginners Welcome / Discounts / Donations Welcome

Acorn Street Shop
2818 NE 55th Street
Seattle, WA 98105 United States
(206) 525-1726
Beginners Welcome / Gatherings and Knit-A-Longs / Discounts / Donations Welcome / Drop-off Location 

MS, MO, MT, NV, NJ, NC,ND, OK, RI, SC, SD, TN, UT, WV, WI, WY coming soon!

*Updated August 25, 2022

Below is an optional How-To Guide for a Welcome Blanket gathering. Our goal is to help you create spaces that foster productive dialogue. Every group is different; you know yours best. We developed this guide with Hadassah Margolis, MSW, LICSW, a clinical social worker with over 14 years of group therapy facilitation experience. We encourage feedback, and we hope you will share with us what pieces are working best, what remains confusing, and what can be added.

Welcome Blanket Gathering: A How-To Guide
 

A welcome blanket is a great project to do on your own or with others. If you would like to join up with other participants, a Welcome Blanket Gathering is a powerful, accessible way to come together, create, and connect.

Plan in Advance:

Find a space. Choose a place where people can sit comfortably and be together for a while.

Pick a date. It may be a one-time event, or a recurring one.

Decide on supplies. Will blanket makers bring their own supplies? Will you be providing them? Or, will supplies be available for purchase at the event (easy if the location is a local yarn store!)? Make sure your participants know how to access materials.

Designate a discussion leader: If you are planning to have a formal discussion, it is useful to choose an informal facilitator to help guide the conversation. She may or may not be the host of the event. She does not need formal group leading experience; we recommend someone who is passionate about the project, comfortable asking questions, is a thoughtful listener, and is inviting and warm so people feel safe to share.

Invite people. Once you have a location and a date, let others know by word of mouth, social media, email, and flyers. List it on our website, too: www.welcomeblanket.org/gatherings. (There may be some knit-curious folks who just want to be a part of the action but may not want to knit at the event. Make sure they know they are welcomed to join.)

Spread the word on social media. Follow @welcomeblanket on twitter, Facebook, and Instagram and use #welcomeblanket

Day-of Prep:

Information. Print out a flyer/welcome note template/pattern for each blanket-maker, all of which can be found here . If you have experienced crafters, great! If not, take a look at our handy tutorial. You may want to print out a few copies.

Have snacks and drinks. It’s best if snacks are easy to handle. Make it a potluck and ask for volunteers to bring in treats.

Discussion Pointers:

A knitting/sewing circle is conducive to sharing and listening to stories. Everyone in the room is there for a reason. Coming together to make a welcome blanket can be an opportunity to delve into constructive discussion and explore issues surrounding immigration with others who hold a similar interest, but perhaps not similar views. Below are some pointers to help get the conversation started.

(Note: If you are making a welcome blanket on your own— on the go or Netflix and chilling— these questions can be a springboard to think about yourself. If you have a journal, you can write down your thoughts, too.)

Creating an Open Atmosphere:

Set your intention: Before the discussion begins, take a moment for everyone in the group to set the intention to have a productive conversation.

Set ground rules: Regardless of what these questions bring up, it is advisable to begin the discussion with three ground rules:

1.     Members must respect all the various experiences in the room.

2.     Each member speaks on behalf of him/herself, not for a group.

3.     Members are not required to share.

Set time frame: Decide on a mutually agreed upon time frame. Maybe the discussion lasts 45 minutes, an hour, an hour-and-a-half. Perhaps there is a set break time for people to stretch or get a bite to eat and then return to the discussion. (Note: Depending on how the discussion goes, you may want to end it earlier.)

Suggested Discussion Questions:

We know the political is personal. So how do we talk about our experiences in a constructive, safe way?

Below are suggested open-ended questions that may help contain the discussion. They are personal, policy-oriented, and community-based.

Again, you know your knitting circle best. It’s up to you. Gauge the comfort level in the room. Not each question is appropriate for every group. Don’t feel like you have to ask and answer all of these questions at once. See where the conversation goes.

Personal Questions
My Story:

• What is your family’s immigration/migration/relocation story?

• How did you learn about your family’s immigration story?

• What sparked your interest in this project?

The Idea of Being the “Other:” 

We have all been “the other” in some capacity, at some moment. It may have been taking a new bus route, living in a different country, or learning something new.

• Describe a time you were in a new place/situation. How did that feel for you? What practical/logistical things had been (or would have been) helpful for you then?

• How do you feel in a new situation? Scared? Excited? What factors play a role in how you feel?

• Think of a time when things suddenly changed completely for you. How did you handle it? What did it bring up for you? What helped? Looking back on the experience now, what would you say to yourself then?

• What makes you feel like you belong somewhere? Talk about a time when you felt like you belonged.

• What brings you comfort?

Community:

• What is community? What are some examples of communities you are a part of?

• How can we make spaces of welcome in our community?

• What steps can you take towards creating a community you long for?

Political:

• We have heard the phrase “politics are personal.” Thinking about this concept, what can we do about immigration policy?

• How has Welcome Blanket impacted your understanding of immigration?

• What would a good immigration policy look like?

• What is one action step we can take to move towards such a policy?

• When we talk about striving towards a “more perfect union,” what does that look like to you?

Wrap-Up:
Closing Questions:

• What was it like to take part in this welcome blanket gathering? What was positive? What is something you would change?

• What advice would you give someone who is considering participating in a Welcome Blanket gathering?

• What is one new thing you learned— either about yourself or someone else— in this discussion?

• The discussion— and the movement— have only just begun. What is one thing you will take away from this discussion that you may want to explore further?

Participants might want to continue talking once the discussion formally ends. That’s great! Maybe ask the group if they want to meet up again, and, if so, make note of the questions that beg more reflection and discussion. Maybe ask the members to come up with their own questions they might want to bring to the next get-together. As long as the questions are respectful and on-topic, you’re good to go.