Knitting Group Returns for 2023
Since 2006, the St Patrick's Knitting Group has met each Thursday at lunch where hundreds of students have learnt to knit squares which are then joined to make blankets and scarves for the less fortunate in our local community. Our local St Vincent de Paul Society continues to distribute these blankets in the Macarthur community. Our blankets have gone to women fleeing domestic violence, homeless people and those in aged care. Recently through St John’s Parish, some of our blankets have gone to Afghani refugees and others to Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard in Camden.
Each blanket has a special label sewn on which reads ‘Handmade with love by the St. Patrick’s Knitting Group’. The Vinnies volunteers always tell us our blankets bring a smile to the faces of the recipients saying that, ‘the person feels loved, that someone cared enough about them to make this blanket’. This is the Good Samaritan parable in action.
Our students are taught to knit and sew by a legion of ‘Knitting Ladies’, a dedicated cohort of ex-staff, grandparents, parents and friends of the College. Our oldest volunteer is 92! This year our seniors will also be involved in mentoring our new members.
If students would like to be involved there are several different roles - they can learn to knit, sew squares together into blankets or sew on labels to blankets. Students can either knit using one of our kits or bring size 8 (4mm) needles to school and 8 ply wool, although we have lots of donated wool they can use.
We also welcome donations of knitted squares from parents, grandparents and friends of the College. If you would like to knit for us we cast on 50 stitches in garter stitch using 8 ply wool and 4mm needle or therabouts.
For more information contact Mrs Musico Rullo fmusicorullo@saintpatricks.nsw.edu.au
Fran Musico Rullo - HSIE Teacher
