Knitting morning at preschool

Pretty Beach Community Preschool had a visit from the local Knit 2 Chat 2 women on Tuesday, June 11.

The children spent the morning learning about the rugs that are made up of squares knitted by the women and sewn together to be sent around the world to help keep those in need warm.

"The children observed and discussed our Australian icon, the kangaroo, which is embedded into each rug to signify the rug's origin," said Pretty Beach Community Preschool's Ms Meghan Slade.

"To further their understanding of the enormity of putting such a rug together, Helen presented some children with a small pack of squares and, in turn, the children were directed to piece together the blanket on the floor.

"The children delighted in the idea of making a big rug and, to Helen's credit, she had everyone counting.

"Grasping the concept of people who do not have such necessities as blankets to keep warm when it's cold was a very important message that filtered through the morning.

"How lucky we are to live a life without such feelings of sadness and exposure to the elements.

"Following, in small groups, the children had the opportunity to spend individual time with each member learning how to knit hands on.

"Each child had the opportunity to knit his or her own little scarf.

"'In, over, through and off' were the words of the day as the children enjoyed learning the century's long tradition of knitting.

"The morning ended with a cheerful goodbye and a feeling of quiet sadness that the morning had come to an end.

"A week later, Helen arrived with 20 individual scarfs finished for the children and their teddies."

Newsletter, 16 Jul 2013

Allan Wilson, Bay News