Lyn Hanley from the Brindabella Trefoil Guild shows how it’s done when it comes to knitting beanies. Photo: Supplied.
A small group of Canberra women want to help people in need cope with the onset of a bitter winter. And they’re taking their plan straight to the top – with beanies.
Members of the Brindabella Trefoil Guild are behind the plan to knit and distribute as many beanies as possible to Canberra people living rough.
The Trefoil Guild looks to connect women who have a history with the Girl Guides movement to volunteer their services to help the local community.
The 16-member Brindabella Guild – with most over 50 and the oldest 98 – manages to achieve the community service work of a larger organisation.
Vice-president of the Brindabella Guild, Lyn Hanley, said members met every six to eight weeks, depending on the project.
For their latest project – A Beanie Big Good Turn – they’re on the lookout for volunteer knitters.
“We have been knitting and supplying beanies for Vinnies Night Van for many years on an ad hoc basis,” Mrs Hanley said. “We’ve been doing it for years, so this project just evolved from that.”
She said the group had been collecting wool for forever. “We beg, borrow and steal for it,” she joked.
“As an organisation, we don’t fundraise, we rely a lot on donations. Everywhere we go, we ask for donations of wool. I carry a big plastic box with me which is where we keep the wool.
“Just about everyone probably has some wool at home, everyone’s grandmother usually has some … we mostly get odds and ends, not many balls, but we always have something.
“Our ladies take what they want and we’ve started up a knitting circle.”
The recommended knitting pattern for beanies. The finished products will be given to Canberra people in need. Photo: Supplied.
But to provide Canberra’s homeless with enough beanies for winter, the guild, which has been involved in community service in Canberra since 1993, has organised a special knitting day on Saturday 25 May at the Wanniassa Guides Hall.
“We invite all knitters to come along from 10 am to 2 pm with your size 4mm knitting needles and we will supply the wool and pattern,” Mrs Hanley said. Donation of 8 ply wool will also be welcome.
Morning tea and lunch will be provided to the knitters.
Interested knitters are asked to RSVP to Mrs Hanley on 0412 611 431 by 20 May for catering purposes.
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