As the calendar flipped to a New Year, most people find themselves jotting down resolutions about fitness, work-life balance, or healthier eating.<\/p>\n
For Arvan Carthew (nee Chapman), a spirited resident at Boandik Lake Terrace in Mount Gambier, New Year\u2019s resolutions are all about numbers – specifically, the number of beanies she can knit in a year.<\/p>\n
At 88 years young, Arvan is a knitting enthusiast with an ambitious goal for 2025: to knit 250 beanies.<\/p>\n
With her wool and needles always within arm\u2019s reach, Arvan\u2019s days are filled with the rhythmic click of knitting needles and the vibrant colours of wool transforming into cosy creations.<\/p>\n
Arvan\u2019s love affair with knitting began during her childhood, where at just four years of age she was taught by her mother and two older sisters.<\/p>\n
During World War II, the Chapman household turned their passion into purpose, knitting socks to send to soldiers.<\/p>\n
Wool was in limited supply during those years, and the family carefully exchanged ration coupons to gather enough for their projects.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe made do with what we had,\u201d Arvan said.<\/p>\n
What started as a necessity became a lifelong passion and decades later knitting remains a daily fixture in Arvan\u2019s life.<\/p>\n
Her room at Boandik is a treasure trove of yarn, with every shade and texture imaginable neatly organised and ready for her next project.<\/p>\n
Last year, she set herself the ambitious goal of knitting 234 beanies and surpassed it with ease.<\/p>\n
For this year, she\u2019s upped the ante to 250, confident her fingers won\u2019t falter.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve always knitted,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s what I do.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s something I can do anywhere, and it brings me so much joy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Indeed, Arvan\u2019s knitting is not confined to the quiet corners of her room. Whether greeting visitors in the hallways or during a lively music performance, Arvan\u2019s needles are always at work.<\/p>\n
Her beanies have become a beloved feature of the community, bringing warmth and delight to the young children who visit their relatives.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the best feeling to see a child\u2019s face light up when I give them a beanie,\u201d she said. \u201cI like to think of it as a little piece of comfort and care.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s what I do when I have a spare moment, and I do have a few spare minutes at my age.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t imagine not doing it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Arvan\u2019s dedication to her craft is inspiring, and her annual goals add a sense of purpose and excitement to her days.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not just about the numbers,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about keeping my hands busy and my mind sharp. Each beanie I finish is a small accomplishment that makes me proud.\u201d<\/p>\n
Over the years, her beanies have warmed the heads of countless people, from young children visiting relatives at Boandik to staff members sporting their favourite football team\u2019s colours.<\/p>\n
Arvan\u2019s creations have even travelled far beyond the Limestone Coast, reaching communities in the remote Northern Territory and Aboriginal outstations, as well as local homeless shelters.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not just about knitting,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about helping people and making them smile. That\u2019s what keeps me going.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her passion for the craft extends beyond her own projects. Arvan loves teaching younger generations how to knit, passing on the skills she learned as a child.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s wonderful to see someone pick up needles for the first time,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce they get the hang of it, you can see how proud they are”.<\/p>\n
With her knitting bag a constant companion, each week, Arvan also joins the Ladies\u2019 Chat Group, a lively gathering where tea and laughter flow freely, and knitting needles click in unison.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s one of the highlights of my week,\u201d she said. \u201cWe share tips, admire each other\u2019s work, and just enjoy each other\u2019s company.\u201d<\/p>\n
As she embarks on her 2025 mission to knit 250 beanies, Arvan remains a shining example of how passion and determination can bring joy to oneself and others.<\/p>\n
Her knitting needles are not just tools but a means of spreading warmth and love throughout the community. And for those lucky enough to receive one of her handmade treasures, it\u2019s a reminder that simple acts of kindness can make the world a little brighter.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
As the calendar flipped to a New Year, most people find themselves jotting down resolutions about fitness, work-life balance, or healthier eating. For Arvan Carthew (nee Chapman), a spirited resident at Boandik Lake Terrace in Mount Gambier, New Year\u2019s resolutions are all about numbers – specifically, the number of beanies she can knit in a […]<\/p>\n