Get knitting for our farmers!
The Country Women’s Association is appealing to knitters across the nation to lend a hand and knit baby lamb jumpersers to help farmers keep their stock warm.
Farmers struggling to keep their stock alive in the big dry need the jumpers to save already thirsty baby lambs from freezing or starving to death because of the harsh winter conditions.
“Many farmers are stressed about how long this drought has been going, and a lot of ewes are having twins for some reason so they are struggling to feed their babies,” explains Coonabarabran mum Maria Knight.
Maria, who is married to a sheep farmer, launched the campaign on Facebook at the end of July, and now the CWA has joined the cause and appealed to knitters for any help they can give.
“The jumpers are very easy to make,” she says. “You can save an animal’s life and put a smile on the face of a farmer – and they could really use that right now!” Here is a simple pattern to get you started on your baby lamb’s jumper The jumper is knitted all in one. Use ONLY 8 ply acrylic yarn (pure wool not suitable for conditions). AS A TENSION GUIDE • Size 5mm needles (tight knitters) • Size 4.5mm needles (loose knitter) Cast on 44 stitches, work 18 rows in K2, P2 rib. Work 30 rows in stocking stitch. TO SHAPE SLEEVES Cast on 12 stitches at beginning of next two rows, at the same time change to rib stitch for 22 more rows. Rib 22 more rows. SHAPE NECK Next row rib 21, cast off 26 stitches, rib 21. Next row rib 21, cast off 26 stitches, rib 21. Work 22 rows in K2, P2 rib. Work 30 rows in stocking stitch. Work 18 rows K2, P2 rib. Cast off. Sew side seams to finish.