The Story Behind Neville's Bear, Why We're Supporting the Rosie NICU

The NICU is a place few people ever expect to find themselves. But for families with babies born too early, too small, or too unwell, it becomes everything. A place of beeping monitors, sleepless nights, whispered hopes, and extraordinary care.

The team at the Rosie NICU at Addenbrooke’s Hospital don’t just care for babies, they support families through the most fragile days of their lives. They did exactly that for Neville and our family, offering the kind of compassion that leaves a lasting mark.

Neville spent all 40 days of his life in the Rosie NICU. He faced more in those days than many of us will in a lifetime, and he fought through every single challenge with so much courage. That’s where the idea for Neville’s Bear began.

At first, this bear was meant to be a one-off gift. A special make, just for him. But as the stitches came together, so did something more. Something that now forms a part of Neville’s legacy.

The design of Neville’s Bear was carefully considered. Even choosing to make him a bear, rather than any other animal, was intentional. Whilst deciding what to make for Neville I read that bears represent the ability to overcome obstacles. And when I read that, I just knew... Neville was our tiny bear. Full of courage, strength, bravery, and a huge determination to keep going.

I wanted his size to reflect just how little he was. He sits at just 17cm tall, the smallest bear I’ve ever designed. I spent hours studying photos, zooming in, matching his parents’ fingertips to my own held up against the screen… trying to really get a feel for how tiny his hands were. Every scale, every proportion, came from that place of care.

The design is slightly more challenging than others I’ve released. And yes, I considered simplifying it, but I didn’t. Because if Neville taught us anything, it’s that we face our challenges head-on, with the courage of a bear.

That’s why this pattern matters.
And that’s why we’re donating 40% of every sale of Neville's Bear Pattern to the Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust, supporting the Rosie NICU, in honour of Neville’s 40 extraordinary days.

Every copy sold helps support other families on similar journeys.
Every bear made keeps Neville’s story going.

🧸 Support the Rosie NICU by purchasing Neville’s Bear pattern:

📥 Digital Download (Delivered straight to your inbox)
📬 Printed Pattern (Ships Internationally. EU excluded)

Thank you for helping us honour Neville, and for supporting the incredible work of the NICU team who cared for him so beautifully. 💛