Volunteer Centre Fife's
24 Hour Knitathon

To celebrate Volunteers’ Week 2007, Volunteer Centre Fife hosted a 24 Hour Knitathon. Over the past few years we have targeted different groups and had different events each year. This year we thought we would try a challenge, and at the same time we wanted to highlight an unusual, unrecognised and untapped voluntary activity.

Prior to the event we asked for donations of wool and needles, and encouraged people to start knitting various items such as baby jumpers, blankets, squares and teddy bears.

We were delighted with the response. Donations of wool and needles came pouring in. Fife knitters went into a knitting frenzy and before long we received some many wonderful items.

The 24 Hour Knitathon took place over three days, 7 th, 8 th and 9 th June 2007. Knitters and visitors were invited to drop in for any length of time over those three days, and we had a succession of people coming in. Some stayed an hour or so, some joined us for the entire time, whilst others dropped off knitting that they had being doing at home. Some people were experienced knitters and could whip up a baby jumper in no time at all. Others were totally new to knitting but we had an experienced knitter, Linda Jaap, on hand to teach the basics. As the hours went by, the amount of knitted items increased!

The quality and intricacy of the items, particularly the baby jumpers, was astonishing. Fife’s knitters had put so much time and dedication into make some beautiful cardigans, hats and bootees. A comment we heard often was how delighted some one was to be able to knit for a purpose now that their children or grandchildren had grown up.

As the hours passed the number of items increased. We were astounded by the quantity we received or were made over the 24 hours. Come Monday morning Linda T, Cerys and Fergus from Volunteer Centre Fife began sorting and counting the knitted items. This took some time, but the final tally was as follows:

Squares – 1,022

Blankets – 126

Burundi Bears – 133

Other Bears – 154

Baby Jumpers – 240

Baby Hats – 13

Baby Socks/Bootees – 37

Baby Wraps – 149

Scarves – 22

Children’s Jumpers – 105

Adult Jumpers – 4

Hats (Adults/Childrens) – 58

The final figure of knitted items came to a staggering 2,063.

The items are now on their way to the various projects;

The adult and children’s clothes, blankets and squares have been collected by Blythswood Care, and will be taken to Eastern Europe.

The baby clothes are going to Kwa Zulu Natal in South Africa, and to Lochgelly Homestart.

The Burundi Bears are going to primary schools where they will be sold and the proceeds sent to Burundi to build schools.

A HUGE Thank You to all those that got involved. Thank You!

24 Hour Knitathon – Picture Gallery

Volunteer Centre Fife ready to start 24 hours of knitting – please note the whisky tin contains knitting needles!

Experienced knitters were on hand to teach the basics. Here Linda Jaap is guiding knitting newbie Stephen.

Knitters busy at work

Residents from Alan McClure House joined us for a while

Volunteer Centre Fife’s 24 Hour Knitathon – Day One

Volunteer Centre Fife staff join in

Knitting and Nattering – Day One

19 Knitting Hours to go

Taking a break while others are still hard at it!

Day Two – joined by a younger knitter

24 Hour Knitathon – Day Two

Volunteer Centre Fife’s manager Ron Nugent tries knitting for the first time ever – and he’s still smiling!