Cynthia Mickletwaite has turned balls of wool and a pair of knitting needles into small sources of comfort for vulnerable children for the past 30 years.

At 90, Cynthia continues to knit and crochet dolls for children who have experienced abuse and are receiving care at hospitals and crisis centres.

A gift born from compassion

Her journey began about 30 years ago after social workers visited the women’s fellowship group at her church and spoke about the difficulties faced by abused children.

“One day social workers visited our women’s fellowship group at my church and gave a talk about the pain and difficulties that abused children in hospitals and crisis centres go through,” she said.

“Since that day I have dedicated myself to knitting or crocheting dolls to ensure they have something to hold on to.”

The dolls are made with a particular child in mind, with Cynthia often thinking about the comfort the handmade gift could provide during a difficult period.

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Keeping a steady supply

She makes sure she has about 50 dolls ready for every school holiday, creating dolls for both boys and girls.

She donates the handmade toys to the Johannesburg-based Teddy Bear Foundation, which distributes them to hospitals.

For Cynthia, the work is about more than knitting. Each doll represents a gesture of care for a child who may be going through one of the most difficult experiences of their young life.

A reminder of the dolls’ impact

One memorable moment from her years of making the dolls came when a delivery person recognised them.

Mickletwaite was preparing to send a delivery when the woman told her that one of her siblings had received one of the dolls in the past.

“I was expecting a delivery, and I had the dolls nicely packed. The woman actually recognised the dolls and mentioned that her sibling once received one and they are still holding on to it even to date.”

The encounter served as a touching reminder that the small handmade gifts can remain meaningful long after they are first received.

Knitting together for charity

Cynthia is also a member of Craft and Chatter, a knitting group in Summit Village that meets every Thursday.

The group’s members knit, crochet and do tapestry, with their creations either donated to various charities or sold to raise funds.

For Cynthia, the weekly gatherings provide another opportunity to use her skills to make a difference; one stitch and one doll at a time.