Huron Valley Optimist Club In Need of Unused Beanie Babies for Project

The following was submitted to White Lake Patch by the Huron Valley Optimist Club.

Sometimes you have to put a little magic in your projects, think out of the box and into a square. The Huron Valley Optimists wanted to make their Cancer Project one that would keep on giving, be long reaching and easy. And so the Magic Hug Square came to be. 

Conceived to give comfort to children undergoing invasive treatments in the Huron Valley area, volunteers were recruited at an Optimist meeting to knit or crochet these squares. To each square a note is attached that reads: “Magic Hugs Square: This magic square was made especially for you. It is made out of hugs. When you are sad or mad or scared or bored, hold this square close to you and it will give you the comfort of a million hugs. It will love you no matter what!"

The next meeting there were four squares, the meeting after that there were 12. And then the squares started showing up during the week. Not just from members.

Word started to spread "the cashier at my daughters market sent these two," or "my mom and her lady friend made these," and "The man at the cleaners sent these two," and before we knew it we had 100 squares. So we made the pattern available to anyone and everyone who was interested. 

Start your own network of square makers and let them start their own network. The magic hug squares have blossomed into a means of comfort to children in the Detroit Metropolitan area including Ann Arbor. They are going to hospitals, homeless shelters, Ronald McDonald House and a myriad of other places where children really need comfort and a little magic.

Let’s hope the magic continues to spread everywhere children need comfort. We, the Huron Valley Optimist, are very optimistic this will happen.

Pattern for Magic Hugs Square

Use any yarn you have available. Use leftover yarn from a project you did for someone you love. Mix and match yarns. Use many colors in each square or just one. Make a pattern or not. You can’t make it wrong. 

Using 10 ½ or 11 needles, cast on 40 stitches. Knit every row for 72 rows or as many as you need to measure 12 inches.

The only criteria are that when you are making this square you are feeling peaceful, hopeful, strong and loving. As you make each stitch keep a vision of health and healing. If you are watching T.V. make sure it’s a funny or heartwarming show. Don’t knit when you are angry. Remember, these squares are going to children who need the healing energy you are putting into them. Don’t worry if your square comes out uneven or misshapen, the children will love them.

Editor's Note: In addition to knitted squares, the Optimist Club is in need of unused Beanie Babies to go inside of the squares. Member Pat Carter said the club has delivered over 8000 squares so far but their supply of Beanie Babies and squares are depleting. Club members can pick up the Beanie Babies and/or squares, or anyone wanting to donate can drop them off at where the club has their weekly meetings.