A group of knitting pensioners are hoping to provide some warmth for the homeless through beanie donations, but are calling on the public to assist them with scarves, beanie and wool donations.

Florence Reddy, coordinator of the Wooligans knitting group and a resident of Grassy Park, says one of the most rewarding parts of their outreach work is seeing the reaction from people who receive handmade scarve, beanies and blankets.

Helping homeless

“People will ask if they can take one for their sister or their granny in a wheelchair,” she says. “When they ask how much it costs and we tell them it’s not for sale — that they can simply have it — some of them get tears in their eyes because they are not used to receiving things for free,” she said.

The Wooligans work closely with the 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day initiative and regularly distribute scarves, blankets, beanies and slippers to homeless people, pensioners and vulnerable residents.

Last year, the group distributed between 150 and 200 scarves.

This year, Reddy hopes to hand out even more.

“If we have scarves left over, I keep them in my car or at home,” she explains.

“If I see a homeless person sitting in the cold or rain, I stop and give them something warm.”

Florence also keeps extra blankets and scarves at home for residents who may knock on her door asking for help.

The group is also planning to support an elderly daycare centre in Grassy Park by donating blankets and beanies.

Inspiration

Reddy first became involved with the 67 Blankets movement in 2014 after seeing a Facebook post about the initiative started by Carolyn Steyn.

The campaign challenged South Africans to knit 67 blankets for Nelson Mandela Day.

“That same year, I had decided I wanted to learn a new skill,” she says.

“My mother taught me to knit when I was young, but I had never crocheted before. I watched YouTube tutorials and taught myself.”

She started by making squares, which were later joined together to create blankets for people in need.

“It just touched me deeply because I knew these blankets were going to homeless people, old age homes and vulnerable children,” she says.

“People would always ask, ‘Must we pay for it?’ and when we said no, they were so grateful.”

The nickname “Wooligans” came from Florence’s son, who jokingly called her a “Wooligan” after seeing wool spread across the house.

“My son walked into the lounge one day and said, ‘Mommy, there’s wool everywhere — you’re such a wooligan!’ and the name just stuck,” she laughs.

Florence grew up in Heathfield, where her extended family all lived close together.

She learned knitting from her mother at the age of six.

“My mother was an incredible knitter,” she says

“I inherited my love for wool and knitting from her.”

Family history

At school, she learned knitting formally and remembers making baby jerseys as part of her practical projects.

Over the years, she also explored other crafts such as fabric painting and mosaics, but knitting and crochet remained close to her heart.

Today, she says knitting has once again become a source of healing and purpose in her life.

“It’s in my DNA,” she says. “Creating things with my hands brings me peace.”
The Wooligans currently meet every Monday from 10:00 to 12:00 at Southfield Library and welcome anyone interested in knitting or crocheting, regardless of experience.

“We are always looking for more members and wool donations,” Reddy says.

“Even if someone only has small leftover pieces of wool, we can still use them.”

She says the group prides itself on being warm and welcoming.

“When new ladies join us, they are often shy at first,” she says.

“But we welcome them, clap for them and make them feel part of the family. It’s become a real community.”

The group are appealing for assistance with wool, blanket and crochet square donations for Mandela Day on Saturday 18 July.

The Wooligans meet at Southfield Library every Monday morning from 10:00 to 12:00, and they are a group of mostly ladies who knit for various charitable causes – scarves for homeless persons.

Contact Florence Reddy at 072 731 0684 for more information.

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