By Casey Neill
A desire for unique clothing that lasts is prompting people to pick up knitting needles and learn the classic craft.
Members of Dandenong’s Social Knitwork say the pastime can also have positive health effects.
“Knitting is the cheapest form of therapy that you can find,” Margaret Boyd said.
“It doesn’t matter whether you’re using a $2 yarn or a $200 yarn, it’s about the satisfaction and the relaxation.”
The group meets at Dandenong Library from 10am on Wednesdays during school terms.
Freda Marshall said they started nearly three years ago following the council’s craft and culture festival Cultural Threads.
“So many people wanted somewhere to continue knitting,” she said.
The Knitwork started with five people and has grown to about 20.
“I’ve been knitting since we were children,” Freda said.
“Once you get the knitting bug it doesn’t go, or the crochet bug.”
Margaret’s mum taught her the skill.
“I started knitting long before I started school,” she said.
“I’ve knitted for designers. Now I knit for orders. I also do hats for charity.
“It’s a purpose, it’s a goal.
“You’re proud of what you can do.
“You can always learn something with knitting or crochet.”
Margaret and Freda help new members to master the needles, hooks and patterns.
Kim knits for her 11 grandchildren. She joined the group with no experience about a year ago and has now mastered rompers, vests and more.
“We can supply needles and wool and we’ve got a cupboard full of patterns that people have donated,” Margaret said.
“So the ladies don’t have to buy patterns.
“They can pick something out of the cupboard and photocopy them and take them home.”
Freda said knitting was based on mathematics “so it also exercises your brain”.
She said knitting had the potential to help people with depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Margaret said: “You can refocus your brain to something else.
“It’s never a grey day if you’ve got needles and wool.”
Freda said: “There are no mistakes, they’re just design features.
“That’s the way you should look at life, too.”
She said online knitting forums were aiding the craft’s resurgence.
“Everybody in the world is connecting,” she said.
“People are going back to that, they don’t want something that doesn’t last long.
“They want something they’ve made.
“People are becoming more aware about being part of what you wear and what you own.
“I call a lot of cheap clothing ‘landfill clothing’.”
But it’s not just about clothing.
“People are now crocheting baskets,” Freda said.
“They’re very popular.
“Pet accessories are pretty big, too.”
Margaret said people were also knitting their own cushion covers, quilts and throws.
