Rachelle Edwards (second from left) picked up fibre arts during the pandemic and hasn’t stopped making things since. Photo: Supplied.
The focus of a trip to the Snowy Mountains is getting out and about for most people, but one social group is offering a different attraction.
Snowy Stitchers Social Club founder Rachelle Edwards said their initiative was an alternative to an action-packed snow season.
“I definitely think they’re having a resurgence,” she said of fibre arts.
Twice a week, the group escapes the winter chill and meets to knit and crochet blankets in a partnership with a local op shop.
The blankets are given to seasonal workers in a push to ensure they can access resources and avoid sleeping rough.
Each of the blankets takes about three hours to create. Photo: Rachelle Edwards.
In her almost six years of living in the alpine town, she realised the workers risked being overlooked.
“There can be that little bit of an ‘us and them’ mentality,” she said.
“The truth of the matter is none of us would be able to live here if it weren’t for our seasonal community. We value them, and we value their skills and the expertise they do bring in.”
Rachelle picked up knitting and crocheting during the COVID-19 pandemic, teaching herself the skills.
“I was a nurse for 10 years before that,” she said.
“I’m not a nurse anymore, but I needed to improve my mental health, and I found that knitting and crochet exponentially improved my mental health. … It’s an activity you can do as a community which doesn’t involve a screen.”
Rachelle said the club’s meetings were deliberately a quieter space than other events in the region.
“[Many seasonal workers stay in] crowded houses and dorm rooms – they have no other space to get out,” she said.
“It’s either there or the pub … [This] doesn’t include alcohol or partying or loud music.
“It’s a space where people chat and connect away from the traditional idea of a ski season.”
Rachelle says the group has “taken on this weird life of its own”. Photo: Rachelle Edwards.
As this year’s snow season continues, they’ve put the call out to attract new members, be they long-term locals or those staying in Jindabyne for a holiday.
Each blanket takes about three hours to make, with the group relying on donated supplies.
“Most of the supplies have been donated … That is a challenge, because we are now starting to run out because it has become vastly popular,” Ms Edwards said.
A June meeting left Rachelle “dumbfounded” when 40 people sat together, learning a new skill or helping others with their work.
“There were so many people, but it was so wonderful,” she said.
The seasonal group also meets at Uniting Church Hall once a week on Fridays.
Rachelle said there was no need to register a spot – anyone could join a meeting.
And there’s no skills test for people looking to get involved.
“We have people who are year-round locals who especially like to come along and be there for the local community,” she said.
“They are really willing to help people learn. … We have seen people come and leave with like a couple of centimetres knitted and they’ve never knitted before.
“It’s allowed them to come to a place, not spend any money.”
When the snow season passes, she said the Snowy Stitchers Social Club will refocus its efforts on other projects.
“We started the snow season as a bunch of locals getting together. It will take different forms, I think, during winter and summer [meetings], but we are definitely going to keep it going.
“I’m excited to see what happens next year, as well.”
People interested in joining the Snowy Stitches Social Club can find more information on their Facebook group or message their Instagram page.
Original Article published by Claire Sams on About Regional.
