Clacking needles, chatter and big hearts are present in spades at Friday’s Te Puke Knit and Natter group.

Members meet up each Friday in Te Puke library to catch up with one another, to knit and to crochet. The eldest members are in their 90s. They make beanies, blankets, clothes, toys and slippers.

Much of what they make finds its way to premature babies and children in Starship Hospital’s cancer ward.

It goes to Ronald McDonald House, various hospitals and Plunket in Whakatāne and Te Puke.

The group was started by the late Margaret Edge in 2019. While Margaret died earlier this year, the group continued with Moureen Allen stepping up to co-ordinate things.

“I thought we’d better carry on as best we can,” Allen said.

While what the ladies produce is an important contribution to those needing it, they also enjoy the social side of the weekly gatherings.

Allen knows first-hand how important it is.

Feeling depressed, she spotted a listing for the group in the then Te Puke Times.

“I thought maybe that’s what I needed to do – and the moment I walked in the door, they greeted me and I just felt like I belonged,” she said.

“It’s been great – that was two years ago.”

The group meets from 10am until noon each Friday and new members are always welcome.

“It’s optional whether they knit for themselves or for charity. For some, the social side is more important and for some, the knitting is more important, but people can just turn up like I did.”

Allen said there were no rules, people don’t need to be highly skilled and those who might want to improve will find someone willing to help them.

One of the issues the knitters have was getting their gifts to the various organisations that distribute them, so any donations of money to help with that is welcome, as are donations of wool.

Ceili Lea (left), and Rebecca Oliver of the Starship Foundation with boxes of donations from Te Puke Kinit and Natter group. Photo / Starship Foundation

In July, three big boxes of knitted beanies, blankets, jumpers and toys were sent to Starship Foundation, the latest in the regular donations from Te Puke.

“Winter is a busy time at Starship with many children from around New Zealand admitted with respiratory illnesses,” said Starship Foundation chief executive Jo Simon.

“We are grateful to the talented Te Puke knitters for their regular donations of warm blankets, beautiful woollen clothing and toys, which are distributed around Starship to babies and children who need it most.”