Knit, knit, crochet, knit and cross stitch. November kept us needle workers very busy!! A team of us from The West End Centre joined together to take on the November knitting challenge for Dementia UK. The challenge was to knit, crochet or do some needle work for half an hour or as much as you could manage each day, raise funds and awareness for Dementia UK.
Talking to people around the centre and our community it is clear that most of us know someone who has lived or living with Dementia and it seems to touch so many people lives. Taking on the challenge has encouraged people to share their experiences of Dementia and what support Dementia UK can offer.
Our group of knitters included seasoned professionals to those of us who have not picked up our needles since we learnt from our mums or grandma’s or Brownies taught us way back when! This worked out well as the more experienced we are able to others. The Twisted Stitches knitting group that runs on a Wednesday from 9.30 – 11.30am was a good place to come together to talk about what we had been doing, motivate each other, share patterns and resolve any knitting issues. Harriet spared some of her time to get us started on Crochet showing us the basic stitches. The group is also a good chance to have a real natter over a cuppa!
In total, as a group, we have committed over 105 hours in needle work and raised over £450. We have knitted blankets, scarves, hats, Christmas stockings, baby cardigans, jackets, hats, mittens and bootees. A donation of baby items has been given to Airedale Premature Babies, Blankets have been donated to Bradford Doulas.
Frances told us “I’m not the best knitter but wanted to challenge myself to knit at least half an hour a day, raise some money and awareness for dementia UK”
Kathryn told us “My grandma taught me many years ago and I was never very good but wanted to challenge myself to do this challenge, with the help of the other ladies I have knitted two scarves that I have gifted to Dan and Ela, I can now cast on, cast off, knit and purl and can do the fisherman’s stitch. Crochet is a work in progress but I’m determined! Dementia is very close to my heart and was a great opportunity to raise some money and awareness. My knitting will continue!
Sandra told us “I have been affected by Dementia and wanted to support this cause. Enjoyed the chats we have whilst doing our knitting”
Monica told us “I know people that have or had dementia. I wanted to support this cause, and I never expected to raise as much as we did. I had stopped knitting for a while, but this challenge gave me a reason to pick up my needles again and I really do enjoy it"
Comments