Knit and Natter group work their needles and hooks with love

“We produce hats, toques, baby hats,” she added of the headwear of many colours that change with the seasons.

Sitting at the table and waiting on drinks and food, the members chatted amongst themselves and showed each other the various projects they were working on. One member was in the middle of a scarf project using ultra soft and thick yarn while another worked on a cozy blanket.

Little Christmas toques. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

All the creations are then donated to organizations such as Battle River Treaty Six’s KidsFirst Program, Battlefords Immigration Resource Centre, and Interval House.

“Not everybody crochets or knits like (Member Kira Epp) does cross-stitch all the time and sometimes you come, and you work on your own project and other nights just sit and visit,” Sidebottom said.

At her fellow natterers encouragement, Epp pulled out her work to the ensuing gushing.

“See the beadwork on it and everything,” asked Carol Johnson of the piece that wasn’t stamped on but rather counted.

“It’s so intricate,” added Sidebottom before Johnson replied, ‘It’s beautiful.”

In addition to the donations they receive, the group has also applied for grants and has been successful with SaskEnergy.

As they sat around piles of work in various stages of completion, Johnson explained none of the material stays in their homes.

“All of our families are knitted and crocheted out,” she said to laughs around the table.

“We’re incurable,” added Sidebottom.

In the time since they first came together, they have bonded and have seen each other through life’s trials. In fact, when one of the members failed to show up that particular Tuesday, another member called her to check in on her welfare. The group, upon hearing it was too slippery in her driveway, yelled their love from their seats.

Working their way through their individual projects, they spoke of some of the people who have come in and out of their lives. One of whom was a young newcomer girl who was introduced to the group shortly before the summer.

A mix of scarves and toques already made. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

“She learned how to crochet, and she was doing a really good job and then for a couple of weeks her mom would drop her off,” said Johnson.

One week, she made her mom come with her and though a member tried to teach her, she “couldn’t get the hang of it.”

On another occasion, two women from Ukraine came out for a time and it was a way to get them doing something in the community.

Meanwhile, Sidebottom said in any given year, they aren’t sure how much work they’ve produced – although one year they did learn it was 300 pieces.

“We’re not doing it for the numbers, but it’s just kind of nice to know, ‘cause we just keep on doing it and doing it and doing it,” she said.

As such, the group has changed in both size and dynamics over the years, but one thing remains – the goal of serving the community and enjoying the comradery.

Out of curiosity, one of the natterers has taken on the task of discovering just how many creations will be completed by the end of the year. In fact, one member alone created over 200.

“That’s a prodigious amount of work,” added Sidebottom.

If anyone is interested in joining or donating, email: rwj.c.johnson@sasktel.net

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

On BlueSky: juleslovett.bsky.social

by Julia Lovett-Squires

Knit and Natter group work their needles and hooks with love

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