Social connections for tight-knit group

ON the second and fourth Tuesday of every month, the Teesdale Community Hall becomes a meeting place for people to get together for a craft and a chat.

Born as an offshoot from the Country Women’s Association’s Native Hut Branch, the Knit Knatter and That Group has been providing a social sewing space since 2017.

The group’s convenor Pat Chambers is a self-proclaimed ardent knitter, and said the group served as a way for her to make connections in the community while working on her craft.

“I love the friendships, sharing a cuppa and chatter and catching up with everybody,” she said.

“When I first came here 10 years ago, I was very lonely and missing my groups, and these are big properties in Teesdale so it’s harder to meet people.

“I trotted along to the CWA group and thought this is fabulous but I also want to do something with like-minded crafters because that’s my life and that’s how this came about.”

At a $3 entry cost, the get-togethers take place from 9.30am to 1.30pm with a walking group often also taking place during their sewing and crocheting activities.

Since forming, their meetings have averaged an attendance of more than 10 people.

With the group’s CWA connection, their majority of works are donated to hospitals and organisations like Geelong Mums and the Salvation Army.

Founding member Lesley Johns said the group’s varied offerings have allowed the members to exchange new skills.

“One of our members who was just a walker is now a knitter too. We’ve got some knitters that now can crochet,” she said.

“I myself was a pretty basic knitter and crochet and I’ve moved on to making socks. That’s what this is, it’s help from one another in more ways than one.

For more information, contact Ms Johns at 0400 547 157 or Ms Chambers at 0417 339 161.