Bundaberg-based community knitting and crochet group, Blanket Buddies, have added a personal touch to this year’s Mayor’s Christmas Appeal, donating hundreds of handmade Christmas ornaments.
The unique decorations have been knitted and crocheted by group members over the past six months as part of their year-round activities crafting blankets, toys, beanies and other items for people who need them locally, around Australia and in overseas communities.
The group meet every Wednesday morning at the Holy Rosary Church Novakoski Hall from 9 am to noon.
Group members Judy Vollmerhouse and Geraldine Duffy said the group started after the floods as a way for people to get together.
“When Noreen (Plath) first started it, it was after the floods, and so people were sort of needing somewhere to just call in and have a cuppa and just a bit of chitchat,” Geraldine said.
“It’s ecumenical, anyone can be here, and we welcome everybody.”
The self-funded group have a wool day every month when members can select wool to work with at home, and they bring their creations to the weekly drop-in sessions where they share morning tea.
Judy said the group welcomed knitters of all experience levels, with some of the group members having joined with no prior experience in knitting or crochet.
“They’ve never done it before in their life, but they’ll come here and somebody will just sit beside them and tell them what to do,” Judy said.
“You should see some of the things that they do [now], they put me to shame.
“As you can hear, it’s a good thing for people just to be able to come here and just talk, if that’s what they want.”
The group donated their handmade decorations for inclusion in hampers for the Mayor’s Christmas Appeal and hand them out to children attending Bethlehem Live.
“They can go in and give a bit of cheer to some kids,” Geraldine said.
“[The children] wear them around on their wrists at Bethlehem Live and they can put them on their tree.”
Blanket Buddies welcomes new members to drop-in during their Wednesday morning session to learn more about the group, pick up new skills and join the friendly gathering.
