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The Hibiscus Peggy Purl knitting group marked a special milestone last week, 10 years and over 1500 hand knitted blankets, celebrating with tea and lunch at Bake and Brew in Ōrewa.
The group began in 2015 when newly retired Barbara Hay, looking for a way to stay active, came across the Peggy Purl initiative in Devonport. Inspired, she started a group in Ōrewa with friends Kay Schroder and Joan McAllister.
The idea dates back to the 1930s, when radio host Muriel Lewis spotted four-year-old Peggy Huse knitting squares and sewing them into doll blankets. She invited her listeners to join in, asking them to knit six-inch squares. Soon the station was inundated with squares, which were turned into blankets and distributed to people in need. Ninety-five years later, the legacy continues, with countless families across Aotearoa receiving warm, handcrafted blankets through this charitable tradition.
A decade on, the Ōrewa group is going strong, with around 25 regular members ranging in age from their 40s to their 90s. The group’s colourful creations are donated to organisations including Hestia Women’s Refuge and the Steps Forward, bringing warmth to families in need.
Barbara says the group has become more than just a weekly craft session. “It’s a wonderful group of people, and our friendships are amazing.”
Sourcing yarn is an ongoing challenge, she admits. The crocheters and knitters hold regular fundraisers efforts and are always grateful for donations of 8-ply acrylic wool, which is best suited for their blanket-making.
Anyone keen to help can drop off yarn to the group can do so on Thursdays between 10am and 12 noon at Bake & Brew in Ōrewa.
