Balfour farmer encouraging knitting
Andrea Bulleid wants to educate children about the benefits of wool.
And the Longridge North farmer plans to do this by introducing the age-old handcraft of knitting into schools.
‘’I’m hoping that by learning how to knit as a group at school, many children will continue with it at home also,’’ she said.
Andrea believed the best way to educate people about wool was to target children.
‘’Education starts with little people,’’ Andrea said.
Andrea, who has recently established her own business ‘The Sheep’s Back’, is busy producing knitting kits for beginners.
The kits contain real wool from Andrea and husband Chris’ own romney flock, bamboo knitting needles, a measuring tape, sewing needle and a selection of easy to follow patterns and instructions.
There was also an option to buy natural dye kits enabling kids to turn their wool into colourful creations of their choice.
Andrea said her mother Janice taught her the basics of how to knit as a young girl.
‘’I enjoy knitting but I’m not an expert knitter.
‘’I prefer straightforward, relaxed knitting where’s there’s not too much concentration required and I can produce items of use in snippets of my spare time.’’
The Bulleids farm sheep and beef and graze dairy cows on their 1000 hectare property Glengordon Farm at Longridge North in Northern Southland.
The farm is at the north end of the Longridge with an undulating valley and surrounded with blocks of native bush and some steeper tussock blocks.
Working on the farm and balancing their three kids Dylan, 14; Gemma, 12; and Blake, 9; means Andrea is busy but she always finds time for knitting which she finds relaxing.
‘’I tend to pick up the knitting needles when I’m waiting at the bus stop.’’
Andrea has always been a strong campaigner for wool, a naturally grown product, and the Bulleids use it wherever they can.
‘’It’s in the carpet on our floors, insulating our house, in the clothes we wear and in our dog kennels for warmth and comfort.
Even the household cats prefer to sleep on wool blankets, or Andrea’s knitting given half the chance.
Andrea said the handcraft of knitting was no longer being passed down from generation to generation as it used to be which meant the skill was being lost.
The wool she uses for knitting comes from the Bulleids romney lambs and it is scoured before being spun into hanks of yarn at a Christchurch-based spinner.
Andrea believes the act of knitting is important for children as it could help with literacy and numeracy and hand eye coordination and could be used as a hands-on way to teach core subjects.
It could also play a key role in getting kids away from computer screens and their phones.
‘’Knitting can be quite relaxing and therapeutic.’’
Andrea remembers the Peggy Square drive during her primary school years which involved children knitting squares and sending the completed wool blankets over to war or famine ravaged countries.
As well as learning how to make peggy squares, her kits also contain patterns for hats, mittens, bean bags, scarves, egg holders, hot water bottle covers and even leg warmers.
‘’I’ve kept the patterns easy and practical and the patterns are designed to be worn or used.’’
Andrea had been keen to teach daughter Gemma how to knit which she learnt ‘’reluctantly’’.
However, son Blake has shown an interest and his school, Balfour, would be one of the first to pilot the knitting kits.
‘’He will be chuffed to teach the other kids how to knit.’’
Andrea’s knitting kits teach kids how to knit and after they had mastered the basic skills they could choose whether to continue with it.
‘’They can keep it simple or become an expert – it’s really up to them.’’
Andrea showcased her knitting kits at both the Gore and Lake Hayes A&P Shows and received a lot of interest.
She has developed a website to sell the kits online – thesheepsback.co.nz