A POPULAR local knitting club is going from strength to strength after undertaking a heap of community-minded projects in the lead up to Christmas – including donating starter packs to Syrian families and knitting dementia-friendly items for care homes.

The Lovely Nutty Knitters Club, run through the St John’s 0 to 100 Group, has went above and beyond during the COVID-19 crisis to meet the need across East Ayrshire.

Cumnock Chronicle:

The idea of the club is to provide vital knitted items to the public, support services, care homes and local hospitals.

It also gives members a chance to socialise and has reached budding knitters as far as Canada and America.

Now, the Nutty Knitters are distributing hats, scarves, mask extenders and blankets to residents as well as items with Twiddle Mitts, buttons and bows for people with Alzheimer's or dementia in time for Christmas.

Cumnock Chronicle:

Marian McGhee from New Cumnock, who heads up the group, said: “During lockdown, the group went from 14 members to 77. People abroad share ideas and a lot of people in the local community joined in and said it’s been a real focus for them during isolation. It’s something to keep communication going and has helped with their mental health.

“It’s good for people who want to teach their kids how to knit, too. We’ve got second generational grandparents teaching kids how to knit, and have given out kits with needles and wool to start them off.

“We’ve started making cushions as Christmas presents for the old folks homes. Nurses say that people with Alzheimer's really like the Twiddle Mitts. The feedback has been amazing.”

Cumnock Chronicle:

The knitting group has also given 10 kits to SeAscape, an Ayr-based charity that supports Syrian families.

If you are interested in receiving a starter pack or joining the Lovely Nutty Knitters Club, check out the club page on Facebook