Knitting for good

Participants at this year’s Knit-In event.

Hornsby Shire Council in New South Wales held its tenth annual ‘Knit-In’ recently, resulting in hundreds of knitted wraps being donated to charity. 

Over 300 people attended the Knit-In at Hornsby Library in August, bringing the total of donated wraps to more than 6000 since the event started in 2008.

Knitters from Hornsby, Pennant Hills and Berowra library knitting groups were among those who attended the event.  

Hornsby Shire’s knitting community creates squares that are stitched into wraps for Wraps With Love and sent to communities in need around the world.

The fun and colourful wraps were exhibited all over the library, while the knitters enjoyed morning tea and each other’s company as they knitted.

“The sheer number of wraps donated each year is humbling,” Hornsby Library Knitting Community Manager Sue Harrison said.  

”This year Hornsby Shire has been the most generous for providing wraps to Wraps With Love, which makes me proud to be part of such a wonderful community.

“The Knit-In is an important event that truly demonstrates how talented and generous our community is.”

Since 2008 Hornsby Shire has donated 6020 wraps, with this year’s Knit-In adding 412 to the total as well as 281 squares that are yet to be turned into wraps.

“The wraps that are donated will be taken to countries like Armenia, Syria, Africa, Australia and Mongolia where they will provide warmth for those who need it,” said Wrap With Love volunteer Marilyn Pryor.

According to another volunteer, Jennifer Gordon, there are also a number of local benefits: “It brings together older people, single people and new residents in the area, helping them to make friends.”

The weekly knitting groups occur throughout the year at Hornsby Shire’s libraries and everybody is welcome to join.