Eight years ago, five women came together with their love of knitting to form the Armstrong Knitting Circle.
Since then, the number of knitters has steadily grown to more than 20. These Armstrong knitters continue to produce blankets and multitudes of toques, mitts and scarves for donation to those in need. In eight years, more than 350 blankets have been knitted, assembled and donated.
“Every year toques, mitts and scarves are knit with love and donated to the local food bank for distribution with the Christmas hampers,” said group member Judy Boling, adding that the circle still receives bundles of surplus yarn as well as eight-inch by eight-inch squares from all over the Okanagan.
The Armstrong Knitting Circle could not have continued these past years without the support of the community of knitters and the Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce, which graciously rents their facility for a nominal fee as well as receiving the bundles and boxes of yarn for the knitting circle.
Longtime member Pat Corbet enjoys her time knitting with other members of the circle and explains why the group is still flourishing.
“I think it’s because we laugh so much and are working together on a common goal,” she said. “What better way to help those less fortunate then by knitting, which is something we all love to do.”
On Feb. 26, the Armstrong Knitting Circle celebrated eight years of knitting and giving to those in need.
“A big thank you to A Twist of Yarn in Vernon for helping us celebrate,” said Boling.
Interested in learning how to knit or need to refresh your memory? Bring your needles and yarn (or just yourself) to the Armstrong Knitting Circle on the first, second and fourth Thursday of the month at the Armstrong Chamber of Commerce at 7 p.m.
