Still time to knit hats for cancer patients
‘‘For the recipient, when we offer them those beanies, it's one of those unexpected but very plesant surprises.’’
It’s not too late to get involved in Wool and Yarn Taranaki’s latest charity project. During August the shop in the Downtown Arcade Metro Plaza asked knitters to get their needles clacking and make soft, warm merino hats for the Cancer Society.
Shop owner Shona Collinson said the project finished at the end of October and so far customers had donated 41 hats.
‘‘The people who come in and drop them off, they all have their own little story about a family member so it’s something personal to them, which is really amazing. I love hearing the stories,’’ she said.
The shop supplies basic knitting patterns if customers request it.
‘‘The amount of different ones that the ladies have come up with and designed and knitted their own, they are just beautiful.’’
Knitters are asked use natural fibres so it doesn’t irritate the cancer patients’ heads.
‘‘Get your needles clicking. There’s still plenty of time. It doesn’t take long to make a hat. It depends on your experience, but a good knitter could get it out in a couple of hours,’’ Collinson said.
People are also welcome to pop into the shop for knitting lessons, or just to do their craft in company.
Cancer Society’s Taranaki Centre manager Meg Rodel said the project was heart-warming.
‘‘I guess that’s how the recipients will feel too, is that a total stranger cared enough to want to knit them something.
‘‘For the recipient, when we offer them those beanies, it’s one of those unexpected but very plesant surprises because they’re not anticipating we’re going to give them something like that.’’
Beanies will be given to cancer patients and also people who shave their heads to raise funds for the cause.
‘‘They need something to keep their heads warm. So it’s that kind of thing too. It’s other people doing kind things.’’
Rodel wanted to acknowledge Collinson, who was using her business to promote charity projects in the community.
‘‘For someone like Shona to be a beacon for that and shine the light, I just think that’s awesome,’’ she said.