July 2, 2014
Once a month a group of “angels” gathers at the Kingaroy RSL Club, needles in hand, to knit, and knit, and knit (and crochet).
The South Burnett Angel Knitters and Crocheters Group is one of those community groups that is making a big difference – both locally and internationally – without much publicity or praise.
The 35 active members craft blankets for foster children; jumpers, beanies and gloves for the homeless; trauma teddies; hospital blankets; caps, booties and mittens for premature babies; socks and knee rugs for the elderly; and beanies for cancer patients.
They provide knitted items to Centacare, the South Burnett Private Hospital and local women’s shelters.
A very special calling is creating “memory boxes”, knitted kits which include mittens, booties, a jacket and blanket for still-born babies.
Last month, an amazing six bags of garments were delivered to local charities.
The items are distributed throughout the South Burnett, but also much further afield, including overseas.
The Angel Knitters also create thick-knitted items for extreme cold areas in Europe, blankets for a Fistula clinic in Ethiopia, and a variety of items for orphanages in Zimbabwe and Thailand.
All this takes wool … and a lot of it.
Jayne Deshon, from duboisia processor Boehringer Ingelheim, came into contact with the Angel Knitters for the first time when she worked for South Burnett CTC.
“Every single time I asked for help for a client, they gave me a blanket,” she said.
Jayne delivered a load of Bendigo wool, courtesy of Boehringer, to the knitters at the Angels’ meeting last Thursday.
“It’s a wonderful help,” Angel Knitters’ co-ordinator Carla Cross said.
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington was a special guest speaker at the meeting, and was full of praise for the women and the work they perform.
Another special guest was Carol Hawkshaw, from Buxton near Childers, who spoke to the group about “knitted knockers”, knitted prostheses for women who have had a mastectomy.
The South Burnett Angel Knitters and Crocheters Groups meets on the fourth Thursday of the month (except December) at the Tobruk Room in the Kingaroy RSL Club from 10:00am to 1:00pm. New members are always welcome.
[UPDATED with correction]
And A Big Thank You!
I was knitting blankets for foster children when I was near Stanthorpe. I have a friend in Toowoomba who would like to also knit blankets. Can you help with an address for a coordinator in Toowoomba? I have contacted my coordinator twice but cannot get any help from her. I typed in Knitting Blankets into Google and came up with your very interesting web page – well done. Best wishes to the ladies in your group – Jean Mack
Hi Jean – maybe Marling on (07) 4162-7332 or Carla on (07) 4163-6340 from Angel Knitters will be able to help you with the info you require.