My own health conditions are what first brought me to crochet, so it felt natural to bring these two parts of my life together in a way that could make a difference.
This special collection of miniature crochet companions represents conditions that are often misunderstood, overlooked or invisible to others. Each doll has its own cause, but they all share the same message: to raise awareness, help people feel seen and support the UK charities doing important work for these communities.
I hope they can offer a little comfort to someone who needs it, start conversations and, in a small way, help make a difference.
BLUE · ME AWARENESS
Luma represents the millions of people living with ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis), an illness that remains widely misunderstood and often invisible to others.
For someone living with ME, she is a little reminder that they are seen, believed and not forgotten. Her unmistakable blue colour reflects the ME awareness ribbon, making her a gentle way to start conversations about an illness that deserves far greater recognition.
PURPLE · POTS AWARENESS
Violet represents people living with POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), a condition that can turn even the simplest everyday activities into a challenge.
Her purple colour reflects the POTS UK awareness ribbon. For someone living with the condition, she offers a little reminder that the exhaustion, dizziness, racing heart and other daily struggles are real, even when others cannot see them.
TURQUOISE · DYSAUTONOMIA AWARENESS
Talia represents people living with dysautonomia, a group of conditions affecting the autonomic nervous system – the system responsible for automatically regulating things like heart rate, blood pressure, digestion and temperature.
Her turquoise colour reflect the Dysautonomia awareness ribbon and provides a symbol of awareness for this often-overlooked group of conditions and the people whose everyday lives are affected by them.
Inspired by the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, Sunny represents people living with disabilities and conditions that aren't immediately obvious to others.
Her bright sunflower design is a reminder that not every disability can be seen, and that nobody should have to look unwell or explain themselves to deserve patience, kindness and understanding.
Fern represents people experiencing mental health difficulties, something that can affect anyone, at any stage of life, yet is still too often surrounded by stigma.
Her green colour reflects the mental health awareness ribbon. She is a gentle reminder that it's okay not to be okay, that feelings matter and that everyone deserves to feel heard, understood and supported.
There is a little more behind these dolls than the stitches that bring them to life. I wanted this collection to give something back to the communities they represent, so all profits from the sale of these crochet patterns, after taxes and fees, are donated to UK charities supporting their respective causes.
The donations are made periodically through the FunNottyArtefacts JustGiving page.
The charities currently supported are:
ME/CFS – The ME Association, Action for ME and ME Research UK. Donations are divided equally between the three.
POTS – POTS UK.
Dysautonomia – POTS UK, supporting people affected by POTS, one of the conditions within the wider dysautonomia family.
Hidden Disabilities – POTS UK, supporting its work for people living with conditions that are not always visible.
Mental Health – Mental Health UK.
You don't need to buy a pattern to support these causes. If you'd simply like to make a donation, you can do so directly through our JustGiving page.
Every little bit helps
Visit the FunNottyArtefacts JustGiving pages linked below to donate.
Thank you for being part of this little collection and helping it do something meaningful. Whether you make a doll, buy a pattern, donate or simply share the message, I'm grateful for your support.
The FunNottyArtefacts JustGiving Fundraising Pages