Heart-warming end to cosy comp

A WINNER has been crowned in the Smythesdale Country Market’s first-ever Battle of the Beanies competition.

A judging panel from Scarsdale CWA announced Springdallah’s Marion Kelly as first placegetter at last week’s market, for her winter sky blue coloured entry, with snowflakes on it.

Knitters and crocheters of all skill-levels were encouraged to get out their needles and hooks, craft a colourful, creative, practical woolly hat, and enter the competition in recent weeks, with all entries donated to Uniting Ballarat’s emergency relief program.

Mrs Kelly said she was surprised to hear she had won, having seen the impressive range of “lovely and interesting” beanies on display last weekend.

“I got involved because I’m knitting all the time, and thought it was not only a good opportunity to knit something for Uniting Care, but to be part of the fun of the competition,” she said.

“I get a lot of joy out of knitting, creating, and a challenge. I’ve been knitting since I was eight years’ old, and I know how nice it is to have warm hand-knitted clothes in our cool climate.

“I thank the market for organising it, the CWA Scarsdale for judging it, and I congratulate all who put a beanie in for a good cause.”

Smythesdale Country Market’s Jaymee Ellis, one of the comp’s organisers, said 20 wool workers entered the competition, with one knitter aged in her 90s.

“People who entered were really excited about it, and rapt with the idea of supporting a local community group,” she said.

“The market attendees that came and had a look at the beanies also got to learn about the cause.”