The Rochester Happy Hookers members hold some of the blankets they will be donating. Photos: Lua Ikenasio
The Rochester Happy Hookers club has been busy knitting up blankets to donate to charity Wheelchairs for Kids.
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The group decided to create the blankets after Rochester resident Kaye Speers asked if members would like to add on to her own donation.
Cheryl Lethlean is using up all her scrap material to create a blanket.
Happy Hookers co-ordinator Kathy Williams said it was a great way to make use of their extra resources.
“Last Christmas we crocheted squares and formed it into a Christmas tree shape ... so then we had all these excess squares,” she said.
“(Kaye) came in and told us about the charity and we thought, ‘oh, that’s a good way to get rid of all the excess squares’.
“We bundled them into groups of about 16, took them home and we put them together and put borders on them.”
With winter setting in, Kathy Williams is working on some new socks.
Wheelchairs for Kids is an Australian charity that builds and delivers wheelchairs to underprivileged children around the world.
The nine blankets will be sent off alongside the wheelchairs for children to cover their chairs or use to keep warm.
This is the group’s first time knitting for the charity, however members are happy to get behind a good cause and donate their talents where they can.
Barb Kestle holds one of the kings for her nativity scene, while Lyn Mussared holds her own colourful project.
The group has also knitted teddy bears for Echuca Regional Health and the Royal Flying Doctor Service and is looking forward to doing the same for the Rochester and Elmore District Health Service.
When the group is not collaborating on a project, members use the time to work on their own crafts.
Bev Hoffman enjoys the club meetings as they are a chance to have a chat and enjoy some morning tea.
Mrs Williams said interest in the knitting group had grown over the years.
“To start with, we had about six members and when COVID hit, we couldn’t meet (at the neighbourhood house), so we’d meet down at the river if it was a nice day,” she said.
“Then we came back here after COVID and there was just a need to be together, to share and have a nice, warm and happy place to come to.
“On average, we’ll have around 15 people here. The table is usually full.”
The Happy Hookers’ table is usually full.
The Happy Hookers meet at the Rochester Community House every Wednesday at 10am and donates $3 each session to the Biggest Morning Tea fundraiser.
The group is open to all those who love to knit, crochet and create other yarn crafts.
Attendees can bring their own crafts to work on while enjoying a cuppa and a chat.
Kathleen Burns takes time to work on a new top for summer.
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