In January 2004, Diane Whitehouse visited Austin Sew and Vac in Round Rock to purchase quilting thread. She spotted a brochure from Janome of America promoting the 2004 Project Linus Make-A-Blanket Day (MABD) scheduled for February. Her immediate reaction was “I'd like to continue helping children year ‘round, not just once a year. What better way to make a difference then to give a child a BLANKET FULL Of Hugs?“ She went to the Project Linus national website listed in the brochure looking for the nearest chapter. Finding none in the area, she carefully considered her options, decided to forge ahead, applied for chapter status, and was approved on April 12, 2004.

Much to Diane's delight, after a year, Jean Bishop offered to become her assistant. Since then, Jean's crocheting expertise has helped educate and train others interested in making afghans. Jean developed monthly blanket making sessions in south Austin. These meetings are in addition to the monthly blanket sessions in Cedar Park.

In 2009, our chapter donated over 1,700 blankets to children in need through various community services. The need continues to grow each year and your help would be greatly appreciated!

As of January 2010, Diane resigned as the Chapter Coordinator as she and her husband retired and moved out of the area. Unwilling to let this valuable work stop, Anita Howe, a blanketeer with the South group, has stepped in and volunteered to continue Diane's work. Jean Bishop still functions as the South Coordinator and Helen Bokman has stepped up to be the North Coordinator.

Blanket Sizes

These sizes are approximate. We remind you that a larger blanket will fit all sizes of children but a small blanket will fit only the smaller ones.

Please include a label that shows your name, address, and/or email with each blanket so we will know whom to thank!

Finally, be especially careful about checking for straight pins if used in the construction of your blanket. Some of our blankets go to hospitals so we try to be careful not to use materials that could come loose and end up in small mouths or get tangled in medical equipment.