The Prevailing Knitting Craze.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 205, 29 August 1936, Page 3 (Supplement)

The Prevailing Knitting Craze.

SUGGESTIONS FOR USE. - (By J. R. HASTINGS.) New Zealand is not the only country to be swept by the knitting craze. In England, too, thousands of women have been afflicted with the urge and knit as though tlieir very lives depended on the quantity of their output! In theatres, trams, trains and every conceivable place, members of the cult ply their clicking needles. However, the knitters of England have taken full advantage of the hobby and are doing great work in making garments for the unemployed. An enthusiastic group, with members in all parts of Britain, recently formed under the guidance of Lady Eeading, is doing wonderful work in supplying warm underwear to unemployed men and women. The group, titled the National Knitting Appeal, attracted recently the attention of H.R.H. the Duchess of York, who lias always shown keen interest in the work done for the unemployed. Her Royal Highness has now

put a room in her London house at the disposal of the group, so that all contributions from members can be sent to her lady-in-waiting. Why should this wonderful scheme not be adopted in New Zealand? Our charitable organisations are domg all in their power Tor the unemployed, but it is not possible to deal with all cases of poverty or supply all unfortunates with warm winter clothing. What is there to stop every knitter in the Dominion from appointing a person prominent in social affairs as their leader and turning their spare time into profitable gain? Their reward will be greater than a mere financial one. "Knit one, drop everything, get two together and knit more," is the motto I wish to propose to our knitters. Even though thousands of miles of ocean divide us from Her Royal Highness, let us show her that we too appreciate the benefit bestowed by Royal patronage on the movement in England. Let us follow the Royal lead and prove that the knitting brigade of New Zealand welcomes the scheme for utilising their services in benefiting society.