Knitting for a cause

A LOCAL knitting group is determined to continue helping those most in need despite coronavirus limiting their ability to meet.

The Birregurra Knit-Wits usually meet for a couple of hours every week, donating much of what they craft to charity. They have recently put their meetings on hold as various group members look to self-isolate, but while their meetings have ended, their generosity has continued.

Group member Angie Smales said the group found ways to continue knitting and giving without risking spreading the virus.

“Instead of our normal lunch session we will just hold a half-an-hour drop off and pick up yarn.”

Smales said the group encouraged community members to pick up some yarn and get involved too.

“It gives people something to do if they have to or want to keep at home.

“We certainly have lots of yarn for people to help themselves to. We have more yarn than we have life left to live.”

The Birregurra Knit-Wits formed about two years ago. They were originally facilitated by the now-defunct Birregurra Seniors.

From the start the group has looked to aid others. They first began crocheting sleeping mats out of plastic bags for homeless Melburnians.

Through this initiative the group got in touch with non-profit organisation KOGO (Knit One Give One).

KOGO encourages people to direct their knitting towards charity. It helps distribute peoples’ knitting through their community partners, which include Foodbank Victoria, Royal Women’s Hospital and Mirabel Foundation.

People can collect yarn and drop off their knitted or crocheted items in the Seniors Room of the Birregurra Hall from 11:30am-noon on Wednesdays.