Knitting project chance to honour veterans
Dellwyn Moylan is rallying the knitting troops in a community scarf-making project to honour and remember war veterans.
"Operation Wrapped in Remembrance" was initiated to encourage people to knit, weave or crochet a scarf for a veteran to honour their service.
This year marks 80 years since the end of World War 2, 75 years since the beginning of the Korean War, 65 years since the end of the Malayan Emergency conflict, and 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War.
Based in Ashburton, Miss Moylan wanted to organise a project to honour those still living who had served our country in these wars.
"By picking up the needles, loom or crochet hook and creating a scarf, we are showing their service, even if long ago, hasn't been forgotten," she said.
The project launched last month in South Canterbury, but due to "lots of interest from knitters around the country", has now expanded to include North and Central Otago, she said.
The Oamaru RSA Hub and New Zealand Remembrance Army (NZRA) Waitaki were thankful to Miss Moylan for her "heartfelt support of veterans".
Oamaru RSA Hub local support adviser and NZRA Waitaki member Barry Gamble said it was encouraging to see individuals take initiative to honour and uphold the spirit of "We will remember them".
"Dellwyn's efforts are a meaningful tribute to those who have served," he said.
Miss Moylan said she started knitting for the first time last year with "Gallipoli Wool", an Anzac-inspired wool that is made in collaboration between New Zealand and Turkey, to make a scarf for a friend who is serving with the New Zealand Army.
It got her thinking about a project for veterans that would also be in memory of and honour her parents.
"During World War 2 my Dad, Des, and my uncles who served, would have appreciated the knitted goods they received from home.
"My mum, Ruby, talked about walking to school knitting goods for the troops overseas during that war," she said.
Miss Moylan's mother, who died in 2009, was among the hundred's of New Zealand women who knitted for the troops in WW2.
By May 1945, 1,168,963 items had been knitted in New Zealand.
Miss Moylan said the project was an opportunity to remember those who had served "that signed a blank cheque for their country".
"For some returning there were no street parades, no hero welcome home — the price they paid is still appreciated because we have the country we live in and the freedom to enjoy it thanks to their service," she said.
The project finishes on November 11. Waitaki residents can drop off completed scarfs at Stitchcraft Corner, 119 Thames St, Oamaru.
For more information on the project: https://www.facebook.com/share/14qFGgvi4B/
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
14-06-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Knitting project chance to honour veterans
Dellwyn Moylan is rallying the knitting troops in a community scarf-making project to honour and remember war veterans. "Operation Wrapped in Remembrance" was initiated to encourage people to knit, weave or crochet a scarf for a veteran to honour their service. This year marks 80 years since the end of World War 2, 75 years since the beginning of the Korean War, 65 years since the end of the Malayan Emergency conflict, and 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War. Based in Ashburton, Miss Moylan wanted to organise a project to honour those still living who had served our country in these wars. "By picking up the needles, loom or crochet hook and creating a scarf, we are showing their service, even if long ago, hasn't been forgotten," she said. The project launched last month in South Canterbury, but due to "lots of interest from knitters around the country", has now expanded to include North and Central Otago, she said. The Oamaru RSA Hub and New Zealand Remembrance Army (NZRA) Waitaki were thankful to Miss Moylan for her "heartfelt support of veterans". Oamaru RSA Hub local support adviser and NZRA Waitaki member Barry Gamble said it was encouraging to see individuals take initiative to honour and uphold the spirit of "We will remember them". "Dellwyn's efforts are a meaningful tribute to those who have served," he said. Miss Moylan said she started knitting for the first time last year with "Gallipoli Wool", an Anzac-inspired wool that is made in collaboration between New Zealand and Turkey, to make a scarf for a friend who is serving with the New Zealand Army. It got her thinking about a project for veterans that would also be in memory of and honour her parents. "During World War 2 my Dad, Des, and my uncles who served, would have appreciated the knitted goods they received from home. "My mum, Ruby, talked about walking to school knitting goods for the troops overseas during that war," she said. Miss Moylan's mother, who died in 2009, was among the hundred's of New Zealand women who knitted for the troops in WW2. By May 1945, 1,168,963 items had been knitted in New Zealand. Miss Moylan said the project was an opportunity to remember those who had served "that signed a blank cheque for their country". "For some returning there were no street parades, no hero welcome home — the price they paid is still appreciated because we have the country we live in and the freedom to enjoy it thanks to their service," she said. The project finishes on November 11. Waitaki residents can drop off completed scarfs at Stitchcraft Corner, 119 Thames St, Oamaru. For more information on the project:
Otago Daily Times
10-06-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Nimble needles create for others
World Knit in Public Day on June 14 will see at least two groups gathering in public to knit and others are welcome to join them from 10am to noon at Chertsey Cafe or the Ashburton Public Library. The Chertsey gathering will include a combination of two groups who meet regularly, one in Rakaia and the other in Methven. The Rakaia Knitting and Crochet Group and Methven Catholic Women's League (CWL) knitting group meet on the second Saturdays of the month. The Rakaia group meet at the Rakaia scout den from 10am to noon, and Methven group meet at 9.30am at Our Lady of the Snows Parish Centre. Earlier this year another group started in Methven – Knit n Natter Coffee. They meet on a Fridays at 10.30am at either Station Cafe or Cafe 45. There are a growing number of newcomers to Methven joining the group as it provides a way to meet new people as well as improve knitting skills and get advice on knitting. Rakaia group co-ordinator Bridget Armstrong said she knits because she wants to keep her hands busy. Her group has created blankets for NZ Gift of Love and Strength and some of the members are working on blankets for the Nest Collective or scarves for veterans as part of Operation Wrapped in Remembrance. The Methven group are busy creating little singlets, jumpers and blankets for the Nest Collective. Group member Susan Dickson said they have made blankets for Plunket and an animal rescue charity in the past. When Armstrong was looking for something to do with the blankets her group were creating she came across the collective and thought it was a worthy organisation to support. She is the Mid Canterbury collection point for goods for them. ''As nest makers (the name of those who create for the collective) it is good to know the items we donate will be used to support families in Canterbury,'' Dickson said The Methven CWL knitters have been supporting the collective for about four years. They have also made 100 pairs of woollen booties for Ashburton Hospital maternity. The Nest Collective provide new and good quality baby items to those who are most in need. Focusing on the critical first 1000 days of life, their pepi packs provide the physical resources that nurture the health, development and wellbeing of babies and their whanau, while alleviating material hardship. Clients are referred to the service via social workers. WKIPD was founded in 2005 by Danielle Landes and remains the world's largest knitting event. The earliest known accounts of knitting date back to at least the fifth-century Egypt. Egyptians used to knit cotton fibres, not wool. World Knit in Public Day events in Mid Canterbury include public knitting sessions, everyone welcome at 10am on June 14 at the Chertsey Cafe and the Ashburton Library. There is no need to book for these free events just turn up. By Dellwyn Moylan
RNZ News
09-06-2025
- RNZ News
Simon Strombom on his drive to maintaning the graves
Cleaning and tidying the graves of former service personnel has become a passion for Simon Strombom. The retired major left the army in 2013 after a career that included a tour in Afghanistan that earned him a Distinguished Service Decoration. Now he has been awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit for founding the New Zealand Remembrance Army, which has worked to identify and restore tens of thousands of graves around the country. To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
