Hats the way to do it, says knitting gran (From This is Hampshire)
When news happens, text SDE and your photos or videos to 80360. Or contact us by email and phone.
Hats the way to do it, says knitting gran
11:00am Thursday 9th February 2012 in News By Emily Roberts
Patsy Johnston is knitting limited edition woollen hats for Bobble Day to raise money for Age UK Buy this photo »
A KNITTING-mad granny is supporting a charity campaign by making bobble hats at her Basingstoke home.
Patsy Johnston works for online company Grannies Inc, which sells products hand-knitted by grandmothers.
Customers can choose the design, colour and even granny to knit their chosen garment.
The company is supporting Age UK’s Bobble Day on February 10 – an annual fundraising event to help older people keep warm in winter.
Mrs Johnston, from Kempshott, will be knitting the limited edition hats to raise money for the charity.
The 64-year-old said: “Age UK want people to be aware of their campaign to keep the elderly warm. We have brightly coloured bobble hats in orange, magenta and yellow which are the colours of Age UK.”
The hats are made using 100 per cent British-spun merino wool yarn, with £8 of their £35 cost donated to the charity.
Mrs Johnston, a mother of two and grandmother of four, is also donating her commission for making the hat to the charity, helping to boost its funds even more.
She said: “I enjoy knitting so much – to me it’s a form of relaxation and it doesn’t take long to knit the hat. I got the pattern at 5pm and had finished the first hat by 10pm, so it only took an evening.”
During Bobble Day, on February 10, people are urged to bring out their winter woollies, wear them with pride and donate £2 to the charity to go towards its Spread the Warmth campaign – providing information and practical services to help elderly people during the colder months.
The campaign was launched because of the number of elderly people who are suffering and dying needlessly in winter because of the effects of cold weather.
Age UK aims to help 360,000 older people by giving them warm and nutritious meals, helping to keep their home warm and offering free information.
People can also support Bobble Day by buying bobbles from Age UK shops or Wilkinson stores for a suggested donation of £1. To buy one of the limited edition bobble hats, go to granniesinc.co.uk.
