The art of knitting

For Mona, Mary and Millie, knitting is something to look forward to while relaxing at ACH Group’s City Views.

Joined by almost 60 keen knitters and helpers, their work will be exhibited during SALA (South Australian Living Artists) Festival next month.

Lenore de la Perrelle, Senior Manager Dementia Learning and Development Unit of ACH Group, said the knitting project would create a unique 3D wall hanging.

“We aim to create art work that anyone can contribute to, using accessible skills where the end piece is more than the sum of the parts,” Ms Perrelle said.

“Knitting is a skill that many older people retain despite memory loss and frailty, and participating in a community knitting project gives them a goal and an opportunity to be part of something stimulating,” she added.

Together, they will create a wall hanging for display for the South Australian aged care provider’s SALA exhibition, bringing together a range of knitted squares and colour ways.

“We will create a picture from what emerges and give a 3D effect by moulding the knitting over shapes. It seems that when you start a community project most people feel like they can be involved in some way and look forward to what emerges from the joint effort.

“When you make the arts accessible, everyone can participate and enjoy creative expression without fear.”

ACH Group’s staff, customers and volunteers have been involved by donating wool, knitting and assisting with knotting the different coloured balls of wool.

Once the exhibition is finished, the wall hanging will be divided into smaller pieces for use at ACH Group sites.

Pictured are ACH Group knitters, Mary and Millie.

SALA is a free open access visual arts festival presenting thousands of artists through unique collaborations and exhibitions in hundreds of exhibition spaces throughout metropolitan and regional South Australia.