JUDY McCandlish has lived in Ballarat since she was six years old, raising a family with her husband Barry.<\/p>\n
For the past two years Mrs McCandlish, 73, has kept herself busy crocheting knee rugs.<\/p>\n
\u201cI started making the rugs when my mother was living with us and now I do it as a pastime to fill in my days,\u201d she said. \u201cI have crocheted over 100 knee rugs that are perfect for older people, but I don\u2019t know who to give them to.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mrs McCandlish looked after her mother Elsie May Brain, when she moved in with the family, for 20 years.<\/p>\n
She started making the rugs for her mum to put on her bed as well as working on blankets for her friends and family members.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen my mum passed away and then Barry passed away, I thought what am I going to do with myself, so I took it back up again,\u201d she said She donated 30 of her hand-made blankets to Ballarat Aged Care\u2019s Hailey House in Ballarat North recently and is happy to handover the more than one hundred she still has.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey can be used for keeping your knees warm while reading or watching the telly,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Mrs McCandlish has worked most of her life with stints at Bendix in Delacombe and the Sunshine Biscuit factory in Victoria Street.<\/p>\n
She took up gardening when she gave up work.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve always wanted to be active,\u201d she said. \u201cI love making the blankets because it gives me something to do, I just wish I could find a home for them.\u201d<\/p>\n