Crocheting positivity from single-use plastics

FOR those sleeping rough in Ballarat, there are volunteers working to ensure they’re a little more comfortable.

Community group, Creswick Mats for the Homeless is not only charitable but passionate about sustainability, and has created 100 mats over the last two years.

Collecting single use plastic bags, they loop them into yarn, and crochet about 800 bags into three-foot by six-foot long sleeping mats, to keep people off the cold, wet ground.

Mery Drysdale said the group of six regulars gets together weekly to chat and create, before distributing their mats, and other profits made from selling crocheted plastic totes at the Creswick Market, to The Soup Bus.

“We meet at the Creswick Neighbourhood Centre free of charge and anyone is welcome to come and learn how to cut the single use plastic bags, to loop them into plarn and be taught how to crochet,” she said.

Hoping to grow the network of makers, Ms Drysdale said no one needs to have any crochet experience to get involved, and people can volunteer from home if they can’t make meetings.

She also wants to “get the word out” that Creswick Mats for the Homeless is extremely happy to take single use plastic bags, considering the recent ban.

“We have been contacting businesses throughout the region for any old stock before they are sent to landfill,” she said.

“We have had many donations from Toyworld and The Reject Shop, some fruit and vegetable shops and cafes, to name a few, and we now have a huge supply.

“But the time is running out before other businesses throw their bags away because they cannot be used and we need many more volunteers to cut, loop and crochet to help us get through our current supply.”

Contact Mery Drysdale to get involved with the group on 0403 218 857.

The Creswick Market is held on the third Saturday of the month at the Creswick Neighbourhood Centre, with Creswick Mats for the Homeless bags, in various sizes, available from $5.