A Good Yarn: Celebrating ten years of knitting and giving

This year, the Knit 1, Yarn 2 craft group celebrates its ten-year anniversary. Established in 2014 by coordinator Susan Russell, the group came together following a call for volunteers to do a yarn bombing ‘50s set for Joondalup Festival.  

At the conclusion of the festival, Susan proposed that a knitting and crocheting group be formed, and Knit 1, Yarn 2 yarn craft club was born.  

Now at a stable size of 20 members, founders Susan Russell, Margaret Brooker, Teresa Williams and Jackie Johnson are the only original members. The group is inclusive, welcoming members of all ages, genders, cultures, identities and abilities, and meets monthly at the Joondalup Library.  

As well as knitting and crocheting, the group provides social opportunities for members. Susan Russell said the members enjoy a friendly chat, sharing their knowledge and ideas. “Primarily, the group is a social one, where we can share our love of our art form,” she said.  

“We have a lovely group of kind and generous crafters who knit and chat and take an active interest in the welfare of the members and our families. I think one of the benefits is to affirm, appreciate and encourage the skill and time involved in creating beautiful items with yarn.”  

Many of the beautiful items are donated to countless charity groups. Through a partnership with the Lions Club of Wanneroo, the group make and donate children’s clothes and toys for Grandparents Rearing Grandchildren WA, blankets and dog coats for RSPCA in Malaga, Trauma Teddies for Red Cross WA, and sensory toys for Autism WA, to name just a few.  

The partnership also saw the group knit babies clothes and blankets for King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth Children’s Hospital, and Pregnancy Assist.  

The Women and Newborn Health Services team at King Edward Memorial Hospital were extremely grateful for the beautiful clothes, so lovingly knitted for their patients. Senior social worker, Gillian, thanked the group for their kindness and generosity. “These clothes will be given to our patients who have a premature baby in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. I know our families will be very grateful to receive them.”  

The group has achieved a great deal over the past ten years, supporting each other and those in the community who need additional support. A little yarn certainly goes a long way and can help a lot of people.