Why should knitting be a solitary sport when it can be a cure for loneliness? On Saturday 10 June, local charity Good Omen Goodeze invites Canberrans to a “crafting conversation” as part of World Knit in Public Day – the largest knitter run event in the world.

Bring your unfinished project (or just yourself, they will supply the materials) to the ground floor of the Belconnen Mall, outside the Reject Shop, between 10am and 3pm.

Since participating in the Vax Toy Challenge during the pandemic, GOG has become a local success story, supplying every hospital in Canberra with handmade comfort items, and extending to ACT ambulance services and Clare Holland House.

By providing small knitted sensory toys and comfort pillows to those undergoing treatment, GOG helps nurses connect with their young patients.

“We hear it every day from the nursing staff, when they open their bag of Goodeze, it’s like Christmas,” says GOG executive officer, Mary Liondi-Barlow.

However, there is another needle in the operation. From senior citizens to migrant members of the community, Mary has set out to create workshops that encourage connection among groups prone to loneliness through knitting and crochet.

The Dickson Craft and Conversation workshop for seniors runs from 10am to 12pm Thursdays at Northside Community Service’s Majura Hall.

“For a lot of our senior participants … it’s the only day that they get out and talk to somebody other than their family over the phone,” says Mary.

After that, she makes her way to Taylor for GOG’s Crafternoon for culturally and linguistically diverse participants at Margaret Hendry School from 1pm for two hours.

“Some of the ladies who come along don’t speak English, but in sitting down with the other members and learning to knit and crochet, we find that their English improves just within that social situation,” smiles Mary.

While GOG continues to make a difference, they face the challenge of finding a permanent place to call home. The charity is actively seeking a suitable office space to support their operations and provide a central hub for their community.

The GOG community is ever expanding, with the World Knit in Public Day event aiming to attract the attention of passing shoppers.

“We don’t have patterns, we don’t have strict guidelines on what you can make,” says Mary.

“Members of the public can come along, and even if they just knit a square, we put those all together to create a Knit in Public Day quilt that we donate to the ICU.”

All ages are welcome, even the youngest aspiring knitters can be taught how to make pom poms.

“Last year we started a Gogster competition so our members could show off their creativity.”

The criteria for what makes a Gogster is as follows: A pillow monster that has a face, a soft pillow insert, at least one eye, and a “bit of cheekiness”.

Gogsters are made prior to the day (although you can do your best to make one in five hours) and are brought to the event for all to see.

“Local businesses donate prizes, including a gift card from Hobby Sew, and this year the judges will be Curator of Arts in Health at Canberra Hospital, Jenny McFarlane, and local artist, Megan Beit,” says Mary.

The judges will be looking for creativity, hug-ability, and ability to brighten patients’ days. There will also be a viewer’s choice award on the day, chosen by the discerning shoppers of Westfield Belconnen.

“There’s lots of Knit in Public days all over the world, but for us, it’s about showing what we do for the local community and helping people feel good about their craft,” smiles Mary.

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