Needles at the ready: Stitch and Bitch take on The Longest Knit for charity

Swindon’s Stitch and Bitch are going to Avebury on Wednesday 20 June for the longest knitting day.

With the summer solstice around the corner, the local knitting group are preparing to take advantage of the daylight in a bid to create the longest knit for Dressability.

The group will be travelling to Avebury on the bus from Swindon Bus Station and they will be knitting on the bus on the way to Avebury and at Avebury under the wishing tree knitting and crocheting hanging spirals. The ladies will be gifting their spirals to visitors in return for donations.

Dressability provides a low-cost clothing alteration and dressmaking service for people with disabilities, and Swindon Stitch and Bitch will be collecting donations from their longest knit  to give to the charity.

Swindon Stitch and Bitch are working closely with Dressability making woollen garments for Swindon’s elderly who find themselves choosing between heating and eating during the winter months. Through Dressability, Swindon Stitch and Bitch have received beautiful yarns from John Lewis.

Tracey Major of Swindon Stitch and Bitch said: “We were so honoured that Dressability had asked us to work with them and we were thrilled with the amazing yarn from John Lewis, lots of the yarns are our favourite brands and will make gorgeous and in some case luxurious garments to wrap the elderly up in this winter; they really will be keeping warm in style.

“It was such a shame that the group couldn’t get together on the 9 June when it was World Knit in Public day, so we have decided to celebrate the summer solstice instead in yarn twirling style.

“We thought we’d make twirls because they are easy to make and look amazing and can be hung from anything."

The group are hoping that visitors will come and visit them at Avebury and donate their loose change, taking away a knitted twirl with them. The group hope their latest event will raise more awareness of Dressability and the services they provide.