Janice Creenaune meets Carol Douglas, a Thirroul resident for 54 years, who has embraced her passion for knitting with the First Wednesday Knitting Club and while travelling in Australia.
Carol Douglas has always been busy, it is simply the way she lives her life.
“I can’t just sit down and watch TV, I have to be knitting something. I really do find it nourishing for the body and the soul,” she says.
“My teacher at school first taught me embroidery, crochet and knitting and my aunt continued to give me inspiration. I have just always loved the joy of knitting.
“I begin with a ball of yarn and create usable products. Many of these projects are for other people, but I also create for my own use.”
Carol says these skills are being lost.
“As child I would be an active sportsperson, and still am, but I would also knit and crochet in my bedroom. Children probably don’t get this opportunity any more. There is so much to watch, to read, to play on digital devices and I guess some warm clothes are fairly cheap to buy.”
The art of knitting and crochet, however, allows creativity and an antidote to the fast pace of the modern world.
“It is slow and deliberate and can offer therapeutic benefits,” Carol says. “I notice it every time I pick up my needles, but I also feel it in The First Wednesday Knitting Club in Thirroul Library.
“We meet once a month and have been doing so now for 12 years. Some leave, some join, most remain and anyone is always welcome with any craft they want to pursue. Talking and communicating, sharing ideas and skills, it just works well for all of us.”
Carol still travels, often going on caravanning trips, but she is able to continue her projects during those journeys. When she is in town, she rejoins the First Wednesday group.
“It’s the ability to be able to work on my own projects while travelling around as well as enjoying the camaraderie of the group. After 12 years we know each other well and everyone is very supportive for our lives as well as the crafts.”
Carol uses 100% pure wool as the standard yarn in her projects. One of her favourite projects was a vest for her husband, Jim.
“It was our anniversary and I noticed a friend in a lovely vest and decided a vest would work for Jim and be a lovely hand-made present. It took about a year but it was a labour of love.”
She also knits for friends and relatives, sometimes in Angora wool.
“When I’m knitting I do think of the person as I am knitting. I visualise the feelings of the person and the excitement from my grandchildren when I give them a personalised hand-made gift. I too feel the joy from their reactions.”
Carol also knits for herself.
“I really need a cause for my efforts, but I generally like to be busy. The bulk of my knitting I am so familiar with that I don’t really have to concentrate.
“Of course, if the pattern is terribly complicated, well, then I need to focus and concentrate on the task,” Carol says.
Knitting and crocheting are experiencing a global surge in popularity, including among men and teenage boys – some even have YouTube channels to exhibit their skills and projects. Others, including women, travel on cruise ships specifically designed for those who like to knit and crochet. Commuters have been seen knitting and crocheting together on Manhattan trains.
Carol says the art of knitting and crochet is something we can all learn and enjoy. Many of us could encourage and teach others – grandchildren, for example, love what grandparents do and that may be a starting point.
“But we can’t let these skills disappear.”
Finding the time, inclination and willingness to keep going over a lifetime is, however, a whole other matter. For Carol Douglas this is not a problem. Her joy in knitting is obvious and fitting everything in seems easy.
Janice Creenaune volunteers for PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease) Australia. Email janicecreenaune@gmail.com for details.