Caring for the community stitch by stitch

ELIZABETH Zimmerman once said, “Properly practiced, knitting soothes the troubled spirit, and it doesn’t hurt the untroubled spirit either.”

Vryheid Methodist Church launched an initiative about three years ago where members of the community were invited to put this little known phrase into practise, encouraging members of the church and the community at large to donate wool to the church, enabling those with a bit of knitting or crocheting savvy to put their skills to good use by making knitted or crocheted squares with the wool and returning them to the church.

The squares are then collected and stitched together by Rena Doherty-Bigara, a member of the church, into beautifully handcrafted blankets which are then donated to Child Welfare for those less fortunate, especially in the colder months.

Sadly, however, the donations of wool have dwindled to almost nothing in recent times, making this act of charity almost impossible to continue, despite willingness by the ladies who knit the squares to keep going.

With Winter on its way, spare a thought for Child Welfare and the dedicated ladies who offer their time to lovingly create these knitted necessities and crocheted comforters for those in need. If you would like to become a part of this initiative by donating wool or offering your assistance, visit the Vryheid Methodist Church in President Street or contact Heather Gibbons on 082 925 8493.