Yarning Bundaberg is a new social group that's open to anyone who would like to sit, knit and chat, meeting at Bundaberg Library.
Do you love to knit or crochet but find you don’t have anyone to share your passion with?
Organiser Jenni Laing works full-time and said she could never make the Monday to Friday crafty group gatherings around the region.
So Jenni decided to start a group that meets on weekends.
And to her surprise, the first meeting earlier this month went off without a stitch.
“I was worried the night before that no one would show up,” Jenni said.
“But to my surprise there were 10 of us – one lady was so eager she even showed up before me.
“I really was amazed by the turn-out.”
Beginners to experts welcome
Jenni said beginners, like herself, right through to the experienced turned up for yarning.
“It’s a social group and we help, inspire and learn from each other,” Jenni said.
“It’s pretty scary turning up to a group where no one knows you. I didn’t know anyone.
“But by the end I think we all had a lot of fun and can’t wait to meet again.”
The group is open to anyone with an interest in knitting, crocheting or small craft that is portable.
“We have a little bit of a show and tell, which gives us the chance to ask questions too,” Jenni said.
Jenni said Yarning Bundaberg meets in the Bundaberg Regional Library on the second Saturday of each month.
“The library helped us promote it and the meeting room is just perfect for us,” Jenni said.
“And we all enjoyed a coffee from the café inside the library.
“It’s a free group and open to anyone.”
Jenni said some of group members were making blankets, while others were crafting small toys with amigurumi.
Amigurumi is the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small, stuffed yarn creatures.
The word is a combination of the Japanese words ami, meaning crocheted or knitted, and nuigurumi, meaning stuffed doll.
Benefits of a social craft group
Jenni said along with the social meeting there was also health benefits to knitting and crocheting such as helping with depression and anxiety.
“There’s been studies that show it’s good for meditation and can ever reduce Alzheimer’s disease,” Jenni said.
To find out more about Yarning Bundaberg check out its Facebook page.
The group will meet again on Saturday, 8 June at 9.30am.
- Bundaberg Pensioners League is another group were members are actively serving the community while countering social isolation among seniors.
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