The Knit Wit Group, funded by Knowsley Council, started off with just two members back in February. Now, the popular class has up to 20 knitting fans of all ages going along each week.
The bug for the old tradition has even spread to the younger generations, as children as young as 11 make sure they brush on their knitting skills during the school holidays.
The group not only provides a place where people can do something they enjoy, but it also enables them to do their bit for charity. The group knit clothing and accessories for babies and young children, donating them to the Liverpool Women’s Hospital. All proceeds made from selling the hand-knitted items go towards buying machinery for premature babies.
The North Huyton Area Partnership Board and elected members in Longview have been involved in the project and helped raised funds since it was first launched last year. The knitters meet at Longview shops from where the council-backed drop-in advice centre runs every week.
Many people who attend the group not only see it as a hobby, but as somewhere to socialise and receive advice and support. A range of voluntary organisations visit them each week offering advice and help on a variety of issues. These include energy saving tips, what benefits they could be entitled to, and support for carers. IKAN, a Knowsley Council-run team, recently visited the group to teach them exercises they can do whilst practicing their favourite hobby. Even the volunteers are catching the knitting bug, as many of them have now taken up the pastime after visiting the Knit Wit group.
Courtney,12, from Huyton, attends in the school holidays. She says, ‘I really enjoy coming to the Knit Wit group as it’s a chance to meet new people and learn a new hobby. I’ve watched my mum knitting at home which first got me interested and so far I have made a bag and a few hats here. I will definitely tell my friends about the group as it is lots of fun’.
Mary Edgar, the Knit Wit group co-ordinator, is pleased that the group is becoming more and more popular. She says. ‘It’s great to see so many people coming along, especially the younger generations. It is not only a place to knit, but to meet new friends and have a chat over a cuppa and piece of cake. Many people who come here are older and don’t have the chance to get out much – the Knit Wit group offers them the chance to socialise and is often the highlight of their week.’
Councillor Diane Reid, Deputy Mayor for Knowsley Council, officially opened the group when it was first pioneered last year. She says ‘The Knit Wit group has gone from strength to strength and its wonderful to see such a wide range of residents going along. It not only provides a relaxing and friendly environment, but it also encourages the younger generations to learn a new hobby and make friends with those who are older. It’s a pleasure to see the end products helping a worthy cause. It gives a real sense of satisfaction’.
The Knit Wit group runs every Tuesday from 1pm to 4pm, at Longview Shops, Hillside Road. For more information, please contact Mary Edgar on 07845419766.
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