Warming hearts and bodies this winter

By CASEY NEILL
KNITTERS can warm the hearts and bodies of hills people in need this winter.
Belgrave Knitting Circles is helping Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief Service (DRERS) to support residents with winter woollies to get through the cold months.
The group is holding knitting groups and asking for donations of wool, needles, and finished items.
DRERS manager Tania Bevan said blankets, scarves, beanies, gloves and more would be greatly appreciated.
“When people come in and say that they need these things we will actually have them there,” she said.
“This is a way that people can help people in their own community.”
Ms Bevan said it was also great to be able to offer choice – so a parent, for example, could pick a scarf in their child’s favourite colour.
“It really uplifts people,” she said.
“It’s an added touch in helping people.”
She said winter had set in early this year, so requests for warm clothing had already been coming thick and fast.
“But often when it’s been cold for quite a while, they need it a lot more,” she said.
She said handmade woollies warmed the hearts of those in need as well as their bodies.
“You can’t buy it in a shop. It’s a special touch,” she said.
Ms Bevan said non-knitters could also lend a hand.
“There’s always things that people can do,” she said.
“They could sew a quilt, if that’s their forte – whatever people can do to help keep people warm is great.”
She thanked everyone in the community that supported DRERS.
“I can’t thank them enough. It means so much,” she said.
Belgrave CWA will teach people to knit at Belgrave Library every Saturday during July from 11am to 1pm. Bookings are advised.
Bell Tavern will host knitting circles accompanied by Sweet Sassafras choir on Tuesdays 3 and 10 July, and Oscar’s Ale House will host sessions with VoKallista on Wednesdays 18 and 25 July.
The group is looking for people to host new knitting circles, and donations of wool and knitting needles will be gratefully accepted at Belgrave Community Op Shop.
Knitters can register to choose wool and needles from the community stash to get started. Knitted items can be delivered to Belgrave Drycleaners or Belgrave Library. Belgrave CWA members will lovingly sew together eight-centimetre knitted squares.
For more information, email beltraders@belgrave.net.au or call Marina on 9754 1027 or 0425 843 470.