Cherry’s inspiration will keep someone warm this winter
Former ‘Maritzburger, Cherry MacIldowie, has crocheted a blanket inspired by a bird she saw in Knysna over the festive season.
MacIldowie, who currently lives in Johannesburg, is a regular contributor of blankets to 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day, which are made by ‘KnitWits’ around the country to keep South Africa’s needy warm during the cold winter months.
Her latest creation, which is a riot of gold, orange, green and red, was inspired by the wonderfully vibrant colours of a Chinese Golden Pheasant at a Knysna bird park.
“Next thing is, she’s telling me that she’s going to make a blanket inspired by the bird and she’d like to give it to the KZN 67 Blankets team for their celebratory #LocalBlanketsIsLekka event in June,” said her proud sister, Caroline Smart, well-known Durban arts personality and ambassador for 67 Blankets in KZN.
“Just about anything can serve as inspiration,” says 67 Blankets ambassador, Franki Hills Carte. “A song, a plant, a poem or a picture, if you take notice of the colours and textures around you, you’ll never be short of inspiration for your next blanket.
“And the best thing, of course, is that you’ll be wrapping someone in need in warmth and colour while allowing your creativity to flow.”
Born in Kenya, MacIldowie
(nee Smart) came with her sister and family to South Africa in 1961 where they settled in Pietermaritzburg. She went to Girls Collegiate (now the Wykeham Collegiate) before doing a secretarial course.
In 1974, she married Peter MacIldowie, a well-known Maritzburg accountant and auditor.
Life then took them on many adventures as they travelled to Cape Town, Lesotho and Swaziland for Peter’s work. They now live in Benmore, near Sandton.
This year, 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day in KwaZulu-Natal will be mounting a large event in June where all the blankets made for its #LocalBlanketsIsLekka drive will be displayed in all their glorious colour, before being donated to children’s homes, hospices, old age homes, and others who would otherwise be cold in winter.
Anyone who would like to contribute to this blanket initiative is asked to knit or crochet squares (20cm x 20cm or 40cm x 40cm) or adult-sized blankets in any colour or pattern. Donations of wool are also very welcome for the many hundreds of people who would like to get involved, but can’t afford to purchase wool.
For further information, please email info@67blankets.co.za.