Clacking away for a good cause
Calvary’s Knit ‘n’ Knatter club is far more than a social get-together.
A group of knitters at a new multi-purpose Calvary site in Melbourne are bringing comfort to their neighbours one stich at a time.
The Knit ‘n’ Knatter club began as a social get-together for retirees living at the new Calvary Kooyong retirement living, health and aged care precinct in Caulfield South, Melbourne.
These days, there is a greater purpose to the weekly catch-ups: the Calvary Kooyong Comfort Rug Project (pictured in the sliding gallery below). Residents of the Hyson retirement living apartments gather each Wednesday to knit and crochet individual squares of wool which – when joined – become colourful patchwork rugs. The rugs are then donated to residents of the site’s Huntley Suites aged care home and to palliative care patients in the local hospital.
“Knit ‘n’ Knatter is one of the most relaxing activities – and we certainly do both,” said Judith Grealish – one of the first residents to move into the retirement living apartments when they opened in February last year. “I think it’s the friendship and the warmth of the group that makes it very special.”
She added: “Knowing the rugs are going to the hospital and the aged care home is important.”
Ms Grealish is a regular visitor to the nearby home. She considers the residents to be her friends. “I’ve got to know them so well. They give me so much pleasure too.”
Calvary Kooyong general manager Shannon Thompson said the Knit ‘n’ Knatter group is an example of the integrated community the not-for-profit provider aims to promote at the precinct.
“It’s wonderful to see that sense of community developing across so many aspects of life here. It’s just as we hoped at the start of our journey – providing purpose, building community and helping our residents live well.”
Main image: Judith Grealish – a Calvary Kooyong resident and member of the Knit ‘n’ Knatter club
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