Knitting Up a Storm for Charity

Knitting project with Oakbank Care Home residents

At Oakbank Care Home in Crieff, we’ve been bustling with activity, and our knitting project has become quite the hub of excitement. This sunny Wednesday saw our knitting machines working away at full speed, and the energy from our residents was infectious! What started as a small project has grown into something truly special, involving our residents and our neighbouring Crieff care homes, Richmond House, Dalnaglar, and The Birches. Together, we’re knitting woolly hats to donate to the Perth branch of The Salvation Army for Christmas.

Our lovely residents have embraced the project with enthusiasm, particularly Joan, who has taken to it like a duck to water. With the help of the other residents and staff, we've managed to create a stunning range of bobble hats—each one as unique and warm as the people making them. From choosing colours to crafting pom poms, our Oakbank residents are not just filling their days with activity but also spreading warmth and care, both literally and figuratively, to those in need.

Our Crafting Corner

We've been particularly busy in our crafting corner, with Agnes and Annis fully immersed in their respective tasks. Annis had the delicate job of making pom poms, adding that final playful touch to our bobble hats, while Agnes was in charge of coordinating colours to make sure each hat was gorgeous. It’s wonderful to see how well our residents work together.

Joan, our seasoned knitter, has been especially productive. She’s made an impressive number of hats and has even crafted a tiny one for her new great-grandson—what a heartwarming moment! Joan’s enthusiasm for the project has been contagious, and it’s clear that this activity has brought her a great deal of joy. It’s not just about the knitting, but about feeling part of something bigger, knowing that the hats we’re making will help people in our wider community.

A Special Thank You to Our Crieff Friends

We also want to thank our Crieff Care Homes Coffee Morning friends, who provided valuable advice and inspiration. It was at one of these gatherings that we learned about the knitting machines, which have truly revolutionised our hat-making process. With our knitting machine, we’ve been able to increase our output and make even more hats, both for donation to The Salvation Army and to sell at our upcoming Christmas Fayre. The funds raised from the fayre will help support more resident activities here at Oakbank.

We’ve also received a great deal of interest from family members and the local community about the knitting project. Many have been asking how they can help, and we’re thrilled to say that there are plenty of ways to get involved! Our most immediate need is wool, as we’re quickly running out due to the sheer number of hats we’ve been making. If you have any spare wool, we’d be incredibly grateful for any donations. Every little bit helps to keep this wonderful project going.

Supporting The Salvation Army

The hats we’re crafting aren’t just a fun project—they’re a way for our residents to give back to the community. We’re proud to be partnering with The Salvation Army's Perth branch to ensure that those in need will have warm, cosy hats this winter. There’s something very special about knowing that each stitch is helping to keep someone warm, especially at Christmas, a time when many can feel forgotten or isolated.

At Oakbank, our residents are building a sense of community among themselves and reaching out to make a tangible difference in the lives of others. This gives them a sense of purpose, which is so important for their well-being and happiness.

Do You Have Any Spare Wool?

With your help, we can continue knitting and providing warmth, comfort, and a little bit of Christmas cheer to those who need it most. Whether it’s by donating wool, spreading the word, or joining us at the Christmas Fayre, every little bit helps.

If you have any wool to spare, please think of us at Oakbank Care Home. Your donations will be put to good use by our wonderful residents, who are eager to continue knitting hats for The Salvation Army and beyond.

From everyone here at Oakbank, we thank you for your continued support and look forward to sharing the results of our efforts with the community. We can’t wait to see what this project grows into in the weeks leading up to Christmas, and we’re so proud of our residents for their hard work and dedication.

Knitting project with Oakbank Care Home residents

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