Founded nine years ago, Essex Knitters and Stitchers began with a few groups meeting in libraries. Today, we have nearly 200 members and 20 groups, crafting everything from blankets to “worry monsters” for local causes like hospitals and the Alzheimer’s Society.
Our purpose it to:
- Unite people through craft, reducing isolation and loneliness
- Promote mutual support and shared activities
- Create items for Essex-based charities
Throughout the year, we support causes such as food banks and cancer charity fairs with custom-made items. We even indulge in yarn bombing for events like the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and Chelmsford Festival.
We welcome new members of all skill levels—knitters, crocheters, or sewers—into our friendly groups. Come and be part of something special!
We maintain a basic stock of items which include wheelchair blankets, items for people with dementia such as twiddle cuffs, fidget balls and marble mazes and children’s trauma teds, worry monsters and worry worms. These go to charities such as Hospitals, The Alzheimer’s Society and Kids Inspire. During the year, we then undertake special projects making items for Helen Rollason Cancer Charity Christmas and Vintage Fairs, hats, scarves, shawls etc for Foodbanks, Easter and Christmas items for Farleigh Hospice to sell and hats for farmers for the Farming Community Network.
We have a ‘fun’ side and enjoy yarn bombing when we can. So far, we have decorated post boxes for the Queen’s Platinum Celebrations, the coronation of King Charles, Christmas time, Halloween and the Chelmsford Festival.
We organise two social events during the year, in the summer and at Christmas time, for as many of the members as possible to get together socially and as a thank you to everyone.
We are now looking forward to celebrating our 10th anniversary next year, 2025, with a big Garden Party for all the members and representatives from the charities that we support.
Take a look at the Norfolk Knitters website for knitting, sewing and crochet patters.
Looking ahead to 2025
In 2025, we celebrate our 10th anniversary with a grand Garden Party for our members and charity partners. Join us as we continue to make a difference through crafting and community!
