What We Knit and Crochet, We Give Away

Key points:

Cheryl Dell’aquila started Kingsgrove Knitters and Crocheters at Kingsgrove West Bexley Uniting Church to meet local needs, inspired by her previous church’s focus on helping overseas.
The group’s first delivery to the Rev. Bill Crews Foundation included six queen-sized blankets, two of which were given away on the spot to people in need.
Open to all, including complete beginners, the group offers creativity, community and a sense of purpose alongside its charitable giving.

The Kingsgrove Knitters and Crocheters in Sydney is a social group with a heartbeat of social justice.

“It’s just a small group of women of various ages who gather together for a social morning,” Cheryl Dell’aquila told Hope Mornings.

“Basically, we do more crocheting than knitting and we probably do more talking than crochet.”

“We have people from our own church. We have people from the local community.”

Starting in February and open to everyone, Kingsgrove Knitters and Crocheters was created by Cheryl because she came from a church that helped beyond its walls.

Having joined Kingsgrove West Bexley Uniting Church in Sydney, Cheryl’s previous church organised groups to provide for people in other countries.

Hope 103.2 is proudly supported by

“I know there’s a great need overseas – I understand that – but I think there’s also a great need here at home,” Cheryl said.

“This is just to try and do something helpful for those who are less fortunate than we are.”

Looking to meet local needs, Kingsgrove Knitters and Crocheters encourages all members to make clothing and bedding that can be given away.

Blankets making an immediate difference

Recently, the group’s first delivery to the Rev. Bill Crews Foundation in Ashfield included six queen-sized blankets.

The impact was immediate.

“When we went down to deliver the blankets, we gave away two while we were standing there talking to Bill Crews,” Cheryl said.

“It was a wonderful feeling.

“Two different people came up and said, ‘Oh Bill, can we have a blanket?’

“He just passed them on straight away.”

The Rev. Bill Crews Foundation provides meals, clothing and other assistance to people experiencing homelessness and hardship.

Creating connection and purpose

The Kingsgrove craft group is a place for creativity, community and charitable giving where complete beginners can also find their place.

“We’ve got two people who’ve never crocheted before in their lives,” Cheryl said.

Extending an invitation to anyone keen to stitch together, Cheryl carries beloved memories of how she learned to crochet decades ago.

“My grandmother was blind and she used to crochet tea cosies by count.”

“I find it relaxing. It gives me something to do. It makes me feel useful.”

Listen to the full conversation in the player above.

Feature image: Supplied

Ben McEachen

Ben hosts Mornings on Hope 103.2 and the ‘Money: Faith & Finance’ podcast. He is well known for his long-running work as a movie reviewer on Open House and The Big Picture. With a background in journalism and theology, he brings thoughtful insight to conversations around faith, culture and current affairs.