Putaruru women knit for a good cause
They have been knitting for most of their lives and now Elsa Thorn and Edith Drane donate all their hand crafted garments to charities in need.
The pair have been knitting since they were 13, crafting clothing for family and friends, children and grandchildren. Now they do it for a good cause.
Both Thorn and Drane said they make singlets, booties and hats for premature babies which are then donated to Waikato hospital to give to families.
Thorn said sometimes people don’t have anything small enough because it isn’t expected, so it is nice for the families.
‘‘I don’t like to see little babies without hats on,’’ she said.
On top of premature baby clothing Thorn makes kids and adults beanies and slippers and delivers them to the cancer lodge in Hamilton.
She said she makes the beanies out of soft feathered wool ‘‘Because it isn’t itchy on their heads and it is nice and soft.’’
Drane also donate to other charities, ‘‘wherever they are needed,’’ she said.
Over the years these two women have hand crafted Hug Me Tights for babies, blankets, cot blankets, hats, booties, slippers, scarfs, and most recently penguin jumpers, which Drane is sending to Australia for penguins who have been exposed to oil spills.
Thorn said a lot of booties and hats are made with left over wool. She almost never buys wool unless it is for something special as all of it is given to her.
‘‘Most of it [the booties and hats] is just left over wool,’’ she said, from another project such as a singlet. ‘‘Nothing gets wasted. ‘‘There is a use for everything and In this world you waste nothing.’’
Thorn and Drane said they find knitting relaxing and said it is nice knowing that they are helping other people, as well as keeping their minds motivated.
Thorn said she usually knits at night, but if she sits down during the day she will continue with a project.
‘‘If I sit down I do it,’’ she said.
‘‘I do it because I don’t like wasting time. If you sit down and have a rest, then you aren’t wasting time.’’
Drane said there is always someone in need of a garment so as long as they have wool they will continue to knit.