By Danielle Kutchel
Knitting became one of the most popular hobbies over the Covid lockdown – but for one woman, it’s more than just a way of passing the time.
90-year-old Rhae Nelson has knitted around 200 beanies since the first lockdown 18 months ago, all with a view to help Indigenous kids in central Australia.
Asked where the idea came from, she laughed: “out of my head!”
Expanding on the idea, Ms Nelson said she was inspired by the annual Alice Springs Beanie Festival, which began 25 years ago and aims to develop Aboriginal women’s textiles, promote women’s culture, identify the beanie as a regional art form, and promote handmade textile arts.
“I thought, with lockdown, we need something to brighten us up. I thought if they can do that, why can’t we!” Ms Nelson said.
So, she picked up her needles and started knitting.
“Once you start, you can’t stop!” she explained, adding that many of the wools used were gathered from op shops.
Her beanies were put on display at the Cranbourne Beanie Fest, held on Saturday 10 July at Deeper Christian Life Ministry.
Ms Nelson’s creations were joined by tea cosies and other crafts made by friends and connections.
The funds raised through the sale of Ms Nelson’s beanies went towards the Deeper Christian Life Ministry’s Darwin branch, to help Aboriginal kids learn music or play sport.
“It’s for kids who want to do something but they just haven’t got the money to buy the tennis racket or cricket bat,” Ms Nelson said.
“I want to set up a fund so they can do that. I just want to help the Indigenous kids.”
Ms Nelson hopes to be able to run the Beanie Fest again next year, potentially with a competition aspect too, and plans to begin running knitting classes within the next 12 months.
