The Knitter launches campaign for Macmillan Cancer Support

The Knitter has teamed up with Macmillan Cancer Support to launch the nationwide Macmillan Comfort Blanket campaign.

Supported by leading designer handknits company Rowan, The Knitter is asking readers to knit 20cm x 20cm squares which can be sewn into a comfort blanket, eight squares long by five squares wide. Once readers have completed their square they will be encouraged to register for Macmillan’s flagship fundraiser, World’s Biggest Coffee Morning, where they can meet up with friends and stitch their comfort blanket together, with a mug of coffee and some freshly baked cakes at hand.

The Knitter has lined up some of the biggest stars of the knitting world to design patterns for the campaign, including Debbie Bliss, Alice Starmore, Meg Swansen, Marie Wallin, Jared Flood and Teva Durham.

All of the patterns are available both in The Knitter magazine (out now) and as a free download from the Macmillan website www.macmillan.org.uk/theknitter|, where people can also register for their coffee morning or make a donation.

Readers can either send their completed blankets to The Knitter (see address at end of release) or bring their squares along to the Knitting & Stitching Show in London on 8-11 October to stitch into blankets.

Blankets that are donated to Macmillan will be used to support and raise awareness of the charity’s campaign to freeze out fuel poverty for cancer patients.

Ciaran Devane, Chief Executive at Macmillan Cancer Support said:

'People undergoing cancer treatment have to spend more time at home as they're often too ill to work. They tell us they feel the cold more because their immune system is weakened, they put the heating on more and so their fuel bills are higher; all at a time when their household income plummets - they're trapped. It's a vicious circle and that's why it's so important to freeze out fuel poverty for cancer patients.'

Macmillan offers grants to vulnerable cancer patients struggling to pay their fuel bills so it’s vital that more people register for a coffee morning, therefore helping Macmillan to provide services to even more people affected by cancer.

Juliet Bernard, Editor of The Knitter said:

'Sadly one in three of us will get cancer. We really want as many people as possible to get involved with the campaign and get their needles out for a good cause. With the host of stars lined up we’re expecting to see some really beautiful blankets!'

World’s Biggest Coffee Morning takes place on 25 September, however this is just the official date - supporters can hold their coffee morning on any day that suits. The money raised will help fund essential information services, emotional support, expert medical care and financial help for people living with cancer as well as their family and carers. As treatments improve, more people are living with and beyond cancer so there’s never been a more important time to help raise funds for Macmillan.

Visit www.macmillan.org.uk/theknitter| for full information, to download patterns and to register for your own coffee morning.