Cosy crochet giveaway

JUDY McCandlish has lived in Ballarat since she was six years old, raising a family with her husband Barry.

For the past two years Mrs McCandlish, 73, has kept herself busy crocheting knee rugs.

“I started making the rugs when my mother was living with us and now I do it as a pastime to fill in my days,” she said. “I have crocheted over 100 knee rugs that are perfect for older people, but I don’t know who to give them to.”

Mrs McCandlish looked after her mother Elsie May Brain, when she moved in with the family, for 20 years.

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.

“When 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,” she said She donated 30 of her hand-made blankets to Ballarat Aged Care’s Hailey House in Ballarat North recently and is happy to handover the more than one hundred she still has.

“They can be used for keeping your knees warm while reading or watching the telly,” she said.

Mrs McCandlish has worked most of her life with stints at Bendix in Delacombe and the Sunshine Biscuit factory in Victoria Street.

She took up gardening when she gave up work.

“I’ve always wanted to be active,” she said. “I love making the blankets because it gives me something to do, I just wish I could find a home for them.”

If you are a senior or aged care organisation or charity who would welcome some of Mrs McCandlish’s rugs, please contact carol@timesnewsgroup.com.au.