MARCOOLA crochet whiz Jenny King gives a hoot about kids in need.
So when she descided to crochet comfort creatures for sick kids and kids in foster care, there was really only one opinion: owls.
“Owls seemed like such an obvious idea as they are awake all night long and can watch over kids so that they feel safe,” Jenny said.
Though Jenny’s Give a Hoot campaign will not be officially launched until the Textile Art Festival at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from June 11-13, the concept has already caught on locally and overseas.
“I only came up with the idea last month and already an American designer has jumped on board and the campaign has spread to the US and UK through our Facebook page,” she said.
The campaign invites people to create an owl in whatever technique they like – from crocheting and knitting to stitching and felting.
Jenny who has been crocheting for more than 40 years, will have three free patterns available at the Brisbane festival for people to start their own parliament of owls.
“We want friends to get together and make a whole bunch of owls so that as many kids in need as possible can receive one. To us, a little toy owl might not be much but to a child it can mean the world,” she said.
“Whoever makes the owl sends it to the charity of their choice so that we are helping out kids from everywhere rather than just one charity.
Now that it has even reached the other side of the world in a matter of 30 days I know it is going to be something really special.”
Local crocheters are already working their fingers to the bone at Jenny’s Marcoola workshop, Jenny King Designs, next to the Bendigo Community Bank on David Low Way.
“My friends and I are aiming to make more than 100 so hopefully people jump on board and create some smiles,” Jenny said.
“I am hoping that this turns really big and that people everywhere start making owls for kids.”
The Textile Art Festival will run in conjunction with Australasian Scrapbook & Papercraft Expo & Convention from June 11-13 at the Brisbane Exhibition Centre.
For just one entry price of $14, amateur and advanced crafters can look forward to being inspired by endless seminars, classes, exhibitions and workshops by some of Australia’s and world’s leading artists.
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