Make It Your New Year Resolution To Help Syrian Children!

 Photograph: Adem Altan/AFP/Getty Images

Over half of the people displaced by the Syria crisis are children and every two minutes, another child from Syria becomes a refugee. Since the begining of this crisis and the first refugees came across the border into Turkey LILY has sworn to help bring a little comfort to Syria's children and to show them that they are not forgotten - that we DO care.

Here are some of the ways you can help us to provide that comfort:

If you are a knitter or crocheter please consider making an 8inch square or two with your odds and ends of yarn. It's a great way to bust your stash and the squares will be joined to form blankets and given to Syrian refugees. Every square is a hug from someone who cares! you can also send us completed blankets if you prefer.

We also need Sweaters, Hats, scarves, gloves, socks infact anything that will help to keep a child warm during the cold winter months.

If you do not knit or crochet maybe you would like to make a donation to help to pay for the transportation costs- we make a delivery into the camps every month. You can do this by clicking on the Donate button at the side of this page.

Lack of access to food and severe malnutrition have meant that mothers have been unable to feed their babies adequately. In addition, the conflict has made orphans of tens of thousands of children, and these include countless motherless babies, who may have been left in the care of grandmothers or other relatives.

'LILY' has been regularly supplying milk formula to hundreds of babies in the hard-hit areas every month. We urgently need babies bottles to be able to feed these babie the formula, giving these innocent infants a fighting chance of survival in the hostile circumstances into which they have been born.Therefore I am asking if you could spare a few pounds/ dollars etc. to enable us to buy bottles to be able to feed them the formula to help save these baby's lives.

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We also desperately need to provide the Syrian women and teenage girls sanitary napkins... something we all take for granted but are in very short supply in the refugee camps. You can help by making a donation and we will purchase baby formula, bottles and sanitary napkins locally and supply the camps on your behalf.

We have heard stories of Syrian mothers having to resort to using plastic bags instead of nappies and as you can imagin this causes terrible sores and babies needing medical attention. We (LILY) try to supply nappies as often as possible but disposable nappies are expensive. As there are over  30,000 babies registered in 24 refugee camps along border areas with Syria and Turkey and While the exodus to Turkey continues unabated, the population of newborn babies to Syrian refugee mothers also increases day by day..... that's a lot of nappies!
I have found a family run factory here in Turkey that makes flat toweling nappies that will sell them to LILY at a greatly reduced price. These will fit all ages.... so the same nappies will last one child from baby right through to toddler stage and are easy to wash thoroughly by hand and quick to dry. We can buy a pack of 12 re-usable toweling 100% Turkish cotton nappies 60cm x 60cm for 28 turkish lira which works out around 7 pounds sterling (10 us dollars).
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The denial of bread - has become a weapon of war!

Bakeries providing a lifeline to communities have become a regular target for air strikes.
The acute suffering of civilian communities has been made immeasurably worse by a shortage of bread, Syrian’s staple food, caused in part by the deliberate bombing of bakeries. At 'LILY' we are doing our best to try and ease the plight of the Syrian civilian population, who feel abandoned by the rest of the world by making sure that they at least get fresh bread daily. Families queue up for hours in the hope of purchasing even a single bag of bread, and frequently return home empty-handed.
Due to your generous support for our Syria Bread  Appeal in August 2014, 'LILY' and local partners were able to refurbish and restore an abandoned bakery in Idlib which had been forced to shutdown due to fuel and flour shortages.  We have  been able to supply bread to 5 villages, providing bread for around 2,200 families. We need your support to ensure that we are able to provide this lifeline!

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As more and more Syrians are fleeing Syria and trying to head for Europe we are starting to find Syrian families on the Streets of Kuşadasi as we are less than 1 hour away across the sea from the Greek island of Samos. When we can we help them by feeding and clothing them plus help to find them shelter. If you could spare a lira (pound, dollar) or two that would be a great help. Please use the donate buttons below.

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Images of children with no shoes in the bitter winter snow and mud in the past years have prompted LILY to lauch a shoe appeal these last four years. Therefore once again we are asking for your help.

LILY's helpers have visited many Syrian families in Turkey and witnessed the conditions they lived in and seen the numerous children without shoes or any kind of footwear. As have we here in Kuşadasi as many of the the Syrian refugees arriving here and sleeping on the streets have no or inadequate footwear for the winter.

We are asking you to donate just 5 British Pounds (8 US Dollar) which will buy a child a pair of winter shoes/ boots. Being able to source them locally helps us to get them to the Syrian children quicker.

As the cold season approaches, responding quickly is crucial. 

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Together We Can Make A Difference!

 'Lily' is supported by businesses and individuals in Turkey, whether it be donations of yarn, Knitting and Crocheting or transportation of completed blankets to receiving agencies.

'Lily' has no paid employees.  All the good work is done on a strictly volunteer basis.

'Lily' wishes to thank all those private individuals and businesses which support us.  Without you, there would be no 'Lily' - Love In the Language of Yarn.  We work hard for the day when we are no longer needed to help keep Children warm.

Dianne Jones - Founder of  'Lily'- Love In the Language of Yarn.
Address - 'LILY' C/O Dianne Jones
Türkmen Mahlesi

Sürücü Sokak

Yildrim Apart 11/2

Kuşadasi

Aydin 

Turkey.

You can also find us at:  https://www.facebook.com/LilyLoveInTheLanguageOfYarn

Knit For Orphans

The number of children orphaned each day in the world is around 10,000. More than half of the orphans live in the streets where they face many threats and risks. Unfortunately, orphans are kidnapped every day in many parts of the world, they are abused by prostitution gangs, organ mafia, begging networks and missionary institutions. Every orphan who is taken care of means that we will have a brighter future.

A plea from 'Lily' Love In the Language of Yarn!

This weekend I will be visiting an orphanage in Kayseri, Turkey with a group of volunteers. The orphange is home to 140 children at the moment, I will be  taking with me a parcel for each child. I have been busy knitting a 'Lily' Bear for each child, our volunteers have been busy knitting and crocheting and have been wonderful and donated hats, scarves and gloves for each child in the orphanage.

At present there are 5,166 orphans in orphanages throughout Turkey.

Knitters and Crocheters I need your help with our Warm Winter Project!

 We need hats, scarves, gloves, socks, sweaters etc. for orphans and children of low income familes. Age groups are 0-3yrs,  3-6yrs, 7-10yrs and 12-14yrs. Boys and Girls. We have teamed up with several organisations who will also be providing shoes/boots, stationery materials, coal and wood for heating, blankets, stoves, electric heaters, foodstuffs and other winter necessities. To help orphans and impoverished children spend the winter happily and in health.

Can you help?

We will be distributing knitted and crochet items throughout the winter months.

For more information on 'LILY' to can find us on facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/LilyLoveInTheLanguageOfYarn over the next couple of weeks we wiil be adding patterns and information so please check in regularly and please 'Like' us so you will receive up dates.

Please Help If You Can!

Here's a free knitting pattern from Patons to help get you started.

MATERIALS:

• Patons® Astra (50 g/1.75 oz)

Boy’s Version (all sizes)

• Main Color (MC):
  • (Blue) 1 (1-1-3) ball(s)
• Contrast A: (Variegated) 1 (1-1-3) ball(s)
• Contrast B: (Orange) 1 (1-1-3) ball(s)

Girl’s Version (all sizes)

• Main Color (MC):
• (Red) 1 (1-1-3) ball(s)
• Contrast A: (Variegated) 1 (1-1-3) ball(s)
• Contrast B: (Yellow) 1 (1-1-3) ball(s)

Knitting Needles:

• Hat and Scarf: Size 4 mm (U.S. 6) knitting needles or size needed to obtain tension.
• Mittens: Set of size 4 mm (U.S. 6) double pointed knitting needles or size needed to obtain tension.

SIZES:

• Scarf: 6 x 46 ins [15 x 117 cm].
• Hat: To fit child 2/4 yrs (6/10 yrs).
• Mittens: To fit child 2/4 yrs (6/8 yrs - 10 yrs).

TENSION
22 sts and 28 rows = 4 ins [10 cm] in stocking st.

ABBREVIATIONS
Alt = Alternate.
Beg = Beginning.
Cont = Continue(ity).
Dec = Decrease.
Inc = Increase 1 stitch by knitting into front and back of next stitch.
K = Knit.
K2tog = Knit 2 stitches together.
M1 = make one st by picking up horizontal loop lying before next st and knitting into back of loop.
M1P = make one st by picking up horizontal loop lying before next st and purling into back of loop.
P = Purl.
Pat = Pattern.
Psso = Pass slipped stitch over.
Rep = Repeat.
Rem = Remaining.
Rnd(s) = Round(s).
RS = Right side.
Sl1 = Slip next stitch knitwise.
St(s) = Stitch(es).
Tog = Together.
WS = Wrong side.

INSTRUCTIONS
The instructions are written for smallest size. If changes are necessary for larger size(s) the instructions will be written thus ( ). Numbers for each size are shown in the same color throughout the pattern. When only one number is given in black, it applies to all sizes.

Stripe Pat
With MC work 4 rows.
With A work 4 rows.
With B work 2 rows.
With MC work 2 rows.
With A work 4 rows.
These 16 rows form Stripe Pat.

EARFLAP HAT
First Ear Flap
With MC and pair of needles, cast on 10 sts.
1st row: (RS). Knit.
2nd row: P1. M1P. Purl to last st. M1P. P1.
3rd row: K1. M1. Knit to last st. M1. K1.
Rep last 2 rows twice more, then 2nd row once. 24 sts.
Work 12 rows even in stocking st, ending with RS facing for next row. Break yarn. Leave sts on a spare needle.
Second Ear Flap
Work as given for First Ear Flap. Do not break yarn.

Body of Hat: (Joining row). With MC, cast on 8 (9) sts. Knit these 8 (9) sts. K24 across Second Ear Flap. Turn. Cast on 35 (39) sts. Turn. K24 across First Ear Flap. Turn. Cast on 8 (9) sts. 99 (105) sts.
Purl 1 row.
With A, proceed as follows:
1st row: (RS). Purl
2nd and 3rd rows: Knit.
4th row: Purl.
Last 4 rows form Texture Pat.
Beg with 9th row of Stripe Pat, cont in Stripe Pat and rep last 4 rows of Texture Pat 7 times more, dec 2 (0) sts evenly across last row. 97 (105) sts.

Shape top: Keeping cont of Stripe Pat, proceed as follows:
1st row: K1. *K2tog. K10 (11). Rep from * to end of row. 89 (97) sts.
2nd and alt rows: Purl.
3rd row: K1. *K2tog. K9 (10). Rep from * to end of row. 81 (89) sts.
5th row: K1. *K2tog. K8 (9). Rep from * to end of row. 73 (81) sts.
6th row: Purl.

Cont in same manner, dec 8 sts on next and every following alt row 5 (6) times more. 25 sts.
Next row: K1. *K2tog. Rep from * to end of row. 13 sts.
Break yarn leaving a long end. Draw end through rem sts and fasten securely. Sew back seam.

Braid: (make 3).
Cut A, 15 ins [38 cm] long. Take 12 strands tog, fold in half and knot into fringe at end of each earflap and at top of Hat as shown in picture. Braid each Fringe. Knot securely and trim ends evenly.

MITTENS

RIGHT MITTEN
**With MC and set of four knitting needles, cast on 28 (36-44) sts. Divide sts on 3 needles as follows: 12 (12-16) sts on 1st needle, 8 (12-16) sts on 2nd needle and 8 (12-12) sts on 3rd needle. Join in rnd. Place marker on first st.
Beg with 1st row of Stripe Pat.
Proceed as follows:
1st rnd: *K1. P1. Rep from * around. Rep last rnd of (K1. P1) ribbing for 11/2 (2-2) ins [4 (5-5) cm] and inc 4 sts evenly across last rnd. 32 (40-48) sts.
Keeping cont of Stripe Pat, knit 6 (8-10) rnds.**
Shape thumb gusset: Cont in Stripe Pat, proceed as follows:
1st rnd: K16 (20-24). Inc 1 st in each of next 2 sts. Knit to end of rnd.
2nd and alt rnds: Knit.
3rd rnd: K16 (20-24). Inc 1 st in next st. K2. Inc 1 st in next st. Knit to end of rnd.
5th rnd: K16 (20-24). Inc 1 st in next st. K4. Inc 1 st in next st. Knit to end of rnd.
7th rnd: K16 (20-24). Inc 1 st in next st. K6. Inc 1 st in next st. Knit to end of rnd.
9th rnd: K16 (20-24). Inc 1 st in next st. K8. Inc 1 st in next st. Knit to end of rnd. 42 (50-58) sts.
11th rnd: K28 (32-36). Slip last 12 sts onto a safety pin (thumb opening). Knit to end of rnd.
12th rnd: Knit, casting on 2 sts over slipped sts. 32 (40-48) sts.
***Cont in Stripe Pat, knit in rnds until work from beg measures 6 (7-8) ins [15 (18-20.5) cm].
Rearrange sts as follows: 16 (20-24) sts on 1st needle. 8 (10-12) sts on 2nd needle. 8 (10-12) sts on 3rd needle.

Shape Top: 1st rnd: 1st needle: Sl1. K1. psso. Knit to last 2 sts. K2tog. 2nd needle: Sl1. K1. psso. Knit to end of needle. 3rd needle: Knit to last 2 sts. K2tog.
Dec 4 sts on every rnd, as before, until there are 8 sts. Break yarn, leaving a long end.
Thread end through rem 8 sts. Draw up and fasten securely.
Thumb: With MC, K12 from safety pin.
Pick up and knit 2 sts at base of thumb.
Divide these 14 sts onto 3 needles.
With MC, knit 9 (11-15) rnds.
Next rnd: (K2tog) 7 times.
Next rnd: (K2tog) 3 times. K1.
Break MC leaving a long end. Thread end through rem 4 sts. Draw up and fasten securely.***

LEFT MITTEN
Work from ** to ** as given for Right Mitten.
Shape thumb gusset: Cont in Stripe Pat, proceed as follows:
1st rnd: K14 (18-22). Inc 1 st in each of next 2 sts. Knit to end of rnd.
2nd and alt rnds: Knit.
3rd rnd: K14 (18-22). Inc 1 st in next st. K2. Inc 1 st in next st. Knit to end of rnd.
5th rnd: K14 (18-22). Inc 1 st in next st. K4. Inc 1 st in next st. Knit to end of rnd.
7th rnd: K14 (18-22). Inc 1 st in next st. K6. Inc 1 st in next st. Knit to end of rnd.
9th rnd: K14 (18-22). Inc 1 st in next st. K8. Inc 1 st in next st. Knit to end of rnd. 42 (50-58) sts.
11th rnd: K26 (30-34) sts. Slip last 12 sts onto safety pin (thumb opening). Knit to end of rnd.
12th rnd: Knit, casting on 2 sts over slipped sts. 32 (40-48) sts.
Work from *** to *** as given for Right Mitten.

SCARF
With MC and pair of needles, cast on 33 sts.
1st row: (RS). Purl.
2nd and 3rd rows: Knit.
4th row: Purl.
Last 4 rows form Texture Pat.
First 4 rows of Stripe Pat are complete.
Keeping cont of Stripe Pat, rep last 4 rows of Texture Pat until work from beg measures 46 ins [117 cm], ending with RS facing for next row. Cast off knitwise.
Fringe: Cut A 10 ins [25.5 cm] long. Take 4 strands tog, fold in half and knot into fringe 3/4 inch [2 cm] apart across each end of scarf. Trim fringe evenly.

'Lily' is supported by businesses and individuals in Turkey, whether it be donations of yarn, Knitting and Crocheting or transportation of completed blankets and garments to receiving agencies.

'Lily' has no paid employees.  All the good work is done on a strictly volunteer basis.

'Lily' wishes to thank all those private individuals and businesses which support us.  Without you, there would be no 'Lily' - Love In the Language of Yarn.  We work hard for the day when we are no longer needed to help keep Children warm.

Dianne Jones - Founder of  'Lily'- Love In the Language of Yarn.

'Lily' Visits An Orphanage

Last week I went along with volunteers from the Humanitarian Relief Foundation to visit an orphanage in Kayseri, Turkey. The orphanage is home to 140 orphans aged between 3 and 14 yrs old, mainly from Turkey but some from Iraq.
 I took along with me hats, scarves, gloves, mittens, to help keep them warm in the winter months, Lily bears and other soft toys plus lots of sweeties,cakes and biscuits all donated by 'Lily's' wonderful supporters.

The weather was warm and sunny so we were able to have fun outdoors. We went along to the Marina in Kayseri and had game of football and other sports, follwed by a picnic and entertainment by a magican.

 We had such a good time it was lovely to see the children enjoying themselves and hearing their laughter.

The Children loved their gifts.  A big big thank you for all your hard work! There will be lots more photos posted on our facebook page over the next couple of days.

https://www.facebook.com/LilyLoveInTheLanguageOfYarn

Your help is really appreciated.

'Lily' is supported by businesses and individuals in Turkey,Uk, Austrailia, US and Germany whether it be donations of yarn, Knitting and Crocheting or transportation of completed blankets to receiving agencies.

'Lily' has no paid employees.  All the good work is done on a strictly volunteer basis.

'Lily' wishes to thank all those private individuals and businesses which support us.  Without you, there would be no 'Lily' - Love In the Language of Yarn.  We work hard for the day when we are no longer needed to help keep Children warm.

Dianne Jones - Founder of  'Lily'- Love In the Language of Yarn.