Wednesday 22 June 2016

Stitch & Bitch!

A couple of weeks ago I attended my first ever public Stitch & Bitch. Over the years I have hosted regular Stitch & Bitch sessions (or craft group) with groups of mates and had a good old time learning and passing on crafty skills, having a few drinks and nattering away, enjoying some girl time. Of course the occasional boy has also been present, my long suffering partner, now husband, included.

Stitch & Bitch Kit.

This annual event, focusing on knitting, was held at the National Hotel in Fremantle, Perth, and hosted by the Perth chapter of the Country Women's Association (CWA) the CWA Perth Belles. The CWA is the largest women's organisation in Australia, beginning firstly in 1922 in both New South Wales and Queensland, then two years later out here in the west. Members work to improve life for people, particularly in country areas. They provide much needed community service, support networks, welfare and the passing on of old skills like knitting, baking, sewing and more. Their shops are renowned for selling some of the best chutneys, relishes and jams, handmade toys, and other crafted gems like crocheted tea cosies, beanies and kids clothes. The CWA Perth Belles are one of the newest branches, only in their seventh year, attracting a younger breed of women in the 20-50 age bracket, or as they say, the 'non-retired group of the CWA'.

It was the eighth year the Belles had held this event to create squares which the dedicated Belles members would later sew into baby blankets for struggling mums and newborns at King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth's main public maternity hospital. This year the crafty ladies linked in with the Fremantle Heritage Festival, their Stitch & Bitch scheduled as part of the festival thus reaching a larger audience. It also coincided with the WA Day long weekend meaning those not venturing out of the big smoke for the three day holiday could attend a fun happening and learn a new craft.

The hook (pun intended) to get people along to the Stitch & Bitch was:
Want to learn how to knit and help a good cause? 
Well. Who wouldn't! I contacted the Belles and said I was an intermediate knitter, could my skills be of some use? Yes, they said, we'll put your name on the door. Sweet! I was there.


Women from various backgrounds and levels of expertise knitting squares for King Eddy's Hospital.

Over thirty women from all walks of life took over the spacious top floor, monopolising the bar and many tables. Those with gold stars were the specialists, teaching keen beginners how to do a garter stitch square. Beginners signed up online and received a kit on arrival containing size 6 needles, a ball of 8 ply wool, and a simple garter stitch pattern. Garter stitch is simply when every row is done in knit. It’s great for beginners and produces neat, uniform rows. 


Garter stitch, simple and great for beginners.
Every time a stitcher completed a square a great din of cheering was heard as glasses were clinked and she stood to show off her completed square. I completed mine later that night and am well on the way to knitting up a wee lil blanky for a newborn soul.

Beginning my first garter stitch square.
If you are interested in making your own squares to contribute to this worthy cause follow the pattern below courtesy of the CWA Perth Belles:

Garter Stitch Square for Baby Blanket

1. Cast on 35 stitches (try to make your stitches neither too loose nor too tight to help ensure uniform squares).
2. Row 1: knit
3. Row 2: knit
These two rows form the garter stitch knitting pattern square.
4. Continue knitting as per these two rows until you have knitted square.
5. To ensure your square is 23cm either use a measuring tape or form a triangle by folding one corner of your square over to meet the opposite corner, if all sides are equal then you have a square!
6. Cast off.

Tip: Leave a one metre length piece of yarn attached to your work after casting off to join the squares together later.


To contribute knitted squares to King Eddy's to be transformed into blankets for newborns get in touch with Claire at CWA Perth Belles: cwaperthbelles@gmail.com.

Or if you already have some finished post to:
CWA Perth Belles,
c/o CWA WA PO Box 97,
West Perth,
Australia   6872


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