Closely-knit group stitch with it for Christmas tree

Kind-hearted volunteers in a Ratoath knitting club who make superhero capes for premature babies in the Rotunda Hospital has created an unusual festive centrepiece for their community centre - a knitted Christmas tree! The project is a labour of love by the ‘Knit and Natter’ group who have been working on the 6ft'2 crochet Christmas tree for a whole year.

 Each one of the 450 unique 'granny squares' has been designed and knitted by the ladies in the club and will be proudly displayed in the community centre over Christmas. The  Ratoath Men's Shed also played a vital role in the project, creating its timber frame and base with adorning chicken wire to which the impressive piece attaches to.
 Keen crocheter Fiona McMahon explains how she came up with the idea:

 

Finishing touches to the unique Christmas tree.

“Last year someone donated a huge bag of wool to us and I just said wouldn't be an idea for us all to combine and make something together. I had seen something similar on Pinterest and suggested that we do it to use the spare wool and if everyone did a bit we could make a Christmas tree.

“We spent the whole year on and off doing it. We then started to wonder what were going to do for the skeleton of the tree so we went down to the men's shed and they offered to help us. It was a combined effort by everyone. We have 35 ladies that come to the group, we have a cup of tea and a chat, it's something we all look forward to every week.

One of the organisers of the group Natasha Duff explains why it's so much more than just a knitting club. 

The ladies of 'Knit and Natter' hard at work 

 “We started the knitting group over a year ago. It's helping with isolation and loneliness with elderly people in the community. One woman said to me last week, this is the only time in the week that I speak to anyone.”

This is just one of many projects undertaken by Knit and Natter according to organiser Joyce Conlan.

“For some of these ladies, it's the highlight of their week. Natasha and I will throw a little party and get a present for each of them to thank them for their work throughout the year and for some, it's the only present that they will get. Last year one of the ladies told us she was going to keep the present for Christmas day so she would have a gift to open.” 

Joyce explains why the group is so important. 

Capes handmade for the little superheroes in the Rotunda Neo Natal Unit 

“The first project we did was make 'medi bags', a bag designed to help cancer patients carry their chemo pumps or heart monitors in Temple Street Children's Hospital. We also made hats and cardigans for the Neo-Natal Unit in the Rotunda and at Halloween, we made superhero capes for the babies to wear. 

“We also, sadly, did a project where the ladies knitted gown for babies who passed away. That was so tough for everyone because they were so small. Leaving them into the Rotunda was heartbreaking because you knew what they were for. We made two blankets for each baby, one that went into the coffin with the baby and the mammy and daddy got to keep the other one.

A special project for the premature infants in the Rotunda Neo Natal Unit 

“Last year the group knitted 60 or 70 hats and scarves for the homeless as well as making activity blankets for the elderly in the local nursing home. The blankets provide stimulating activity for people living with dementia or recovering from strokes. It's the thought and effort that somebody actually sat and put the time and effort into making you feel a bit special on a day that you feel low.”

The colourful creation will be unveiled at the lighting of the Christmas tree in Ratoath this Thursday at 5.30 pm.