A tradition started six years ago with three women who enjoy “all things yarn” has since grown to a “sisterhood” of women who each year knit and crochet beanies and scarfs to tie at the Thesen pedestrian bridge in Muizenberg for Mandela Day.
This year the Muizenberg Craft Share group collectively completed around 245 items that were displayed and handed out free to anyone in the community on Tuesday 18 July.
The gesture of kindness was, however, cut short due to heavy rain.
Zelda de Kock, the founder of the group, who originally moved from Pretoria to Muizenberg six years ago, says the idea behind the group was to get to know people and to share the craft.
“I wanted to get to know people, so I placed a post on Facebook and at the time, we were three people who met once a month and we just kept going.
“We all have a love for yarn and participate in the Mandela Day craft and crochet project.
“This year, we had a record number of 245 items and because it rained, only about half of the items were handed out so now we are looking at our options, what to do with the other half.”
The group of crafters has now grown to 20 women from Muizenberg, Tokai and Fish Hoek, who all share the same passion.
“We just share a love for crocheting, knitting, yarn and making beautiful things and this is our once-a-year community project. There are other ladies who also knit for newborn babies such as one lady who knitted 67 jerseys for Mandela Day.”
De Kock adds that the bridge project is about reminding people of Mandela’s legacy.
“Building communities, spreading warmth and kindness and reminding us of the dream of the rainbow nation. I always say if one person goes home and says ‘You wouldn’t believe what happened to me today’ and the positive effect of that circles, I feel that we achieved our goal.”
She adds: “It is very enriching to see the joy on others’ faces when they choose a scarf or beanie.
“The items are for anyone and we attach a card that reads: ‘If you are cold or need a hug, then pick a scarf that you like’.”
On Tuesday, the community brought along beanies they created to add to the bridge.
“It is really starting to be a ripple effect of people caring and sharing the love. We are now 20 people who come together regularly every week to share a coffee and chat, crochet and knit, which is lovely.”
Felicity Sables, a Muizenberg resident who joined the Muizenberg Craft Share group earlier this year, says it was a rewarding experience to give back on Mandela Day.
“I contributed about four or six scarves and it takes about two days to complete one item, depending on whether I am not doing anything else. It was a very rewarding day and experience but we were, unfortunately, left with a lot of stock due to the rain that forced us to pack up.”
Jenny Pannack, a resident, says she enjoyed knitting for the project.
“I mostly knit and learn to crochet and I also have two granddaughters whom I enjoy knitting for.”
The grandmother added that knitting for Mandela Day was a worthwhile cause.
“We knitted around 170 scarves and 70 beanies. Mandela Day is a worthwhile cause because we stand on the bridge and hand it out to everyone and to see the joy on people’s faces is a lovely feeling. We have a sisterhood of women who together enjoy what we do.”
