With the celebration of ANZAC Day, the Southland Times uncovered the story of Janet Bowie, a knitter who completed 736 pairs of socks for men fighting in Gallipoli and throughout Europe during World War I. In 1919 she was awarded a Member of the British Empire for her feat, which was considered a record for New Zealand and, perhaps, the world. She arrived in New Zealand in 1876 and lived there until her death in 1926. Her medal can be found in the Otago Early Settlers’ Museum.
To support the Australian wool industry and local knitters, a company in New South Wales has formed to sell woollen jumpers around the world. Wool With Love was founded by Annabel Scott, a sheep farmer who was frustrated at the lack of good quality wool clothes for her children. She enlisted the help of about 20 local women to knit sweaters, and the knitters say they love the social aspect as well as the knitting itself.
And finally I’ve got to say I’m a little disappointed I didn’t receive a review copy of Cats in Hats: 30 Knit and Crochet Projects
for Your Kitty by Sara Thomas. I like humiliating my cat as much as the next person, and apparently, the book has really taken off, whether among knitters or lovers of cat humor it’s hard to say. Thomas never really set out to become a famous creator of feline chapeaus, but one year she sold 300 on her etsy shop. She says she hopes the success of the book will allow her time to create other things. If you don’t feel the need for a full book of cat hats, check out her Happy Birthday cat hat on her blog.
[Photo by Skye Manson via ABC.net.]
