The Fish & Chip Shop Babies

I believe that every baby born is special. So imagine my horror when I heard of the ‘fish and chip’ babies in Africa.

      Born into a life of extreme poverty and many already infected with the HIV virus, these innocent newly borns are wrapped in newspaper and sent home...they are known, as the fish and chip shop babies.

      We recently flew over to Ireland to visit some friends and were humbled to see the work they were doing to help the children in Africa. They had put together a team of people who knitted tiny, colourful jumpers for the fish and chip shop babies. These jumpers were no bigger than the ones we use for the rescued hens, back at our home for waifs and strays.

      As I took a picture of the colourful jumpers, which were being exhibited before being sent to Africa, I couldn’t help but think of these tiny babies. No baby should have to be wrapped in yesterday’s newspapers....

If anyone out there would like to knit a jumper, and find an organisation to take them, the pattern is as follows:-

Baby Jumper knitting pattern (Knitted all in one)
Approx. 50g DK wool

Use double knitting wool and 4mm needles, cast on 44 stitches.

Work 18 Rows in K2, P2 rib

Work 30 Rows stocking stitch (1 row plain, 1 row purl)

Cast on 12 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows and at the same time change to K2,P2 (for sleeve)

Rib 22 more rows.

Next row: Rib 21, cast off 26 stitches, rib 21 (Please cast these stitches off loosely in rib, to Allow the neck to stretch over a baby’s head)

Next row: Rib 21, cast on 26 stitches, rib 21 (Please cast these stitches on loosely, using one size bigger needles if necessary).

Work 22 rows in K2, P2 rib

Cast off 12 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows

Work 30 rows stocking stitch

Work 18 rows, K2, P2 rib

Cast off. Sew side and sleeve seams.