While the men are in the Men’s Shed, the women at Kangara Waters Retirement Village are arming themselves with knitting needles and 8-ply wool (for scarves and hats, 5-ply wool for rugs and blankets) to do their bit for the war in Ukraine.

There is a 50-strong army of dedicated women, who are taking a break from knitting jumpers for the grandkids, preparing for the annual Winter Warmers Charity Sale at Kangara Waters on Saturday 27 May.

Resident Margaret Erickson was preparing for the Village’s Thursday craft afternoon when we caught up for a natter about knitting.

“The challenge was given to our residents during the first year of the Covid-19 restrictions to knit scarves and hats that would be donated to charity and It did help the residents,” Margaret says.

“It gave them a craft to do, some of them learnt to knit a simple pattern. It gave us something to aim for that was really good. It’s really taken off now – production is huge.”

The ladies cleaned up last year, making $3,000, and this year they’re adding second-hand winter clothes to the sale. All proceeds from the sale will go to the Red Cross for Ukraine.

“Some of the residents knit all the year, not just for the sale,” Margaret says. “I knit at night in front of the telly and I’ve just started another hat. I am still knitting for baby things for perhaps becoming a great grandmother soon.”

Winter Warmers Charity Sale is at Kangara Waters Retirement Village, 2 Joy Cummings Place, Belconnen on Saturday 27 May, 8.30am to 12.30pm. Tables will overflow with beautiful hand-knitted scarves and beanies for about $5 each. There will also be gloves, hats, jumpers and cardigans plus recycled quality jackets and handmade winter throws.

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