These ‘hookers’ have been at it for three decades

Knitting and crocheting for those in need is what keeps this group of women happy.

August 25, 2023

Jani de Beer 2 minutes read

Daphne Thompson shows off a cuddly octopus which is specifically made to comfort premature babies.

What do you get when you put 14 women together in a room filled with an array of yarn?

Happy Hookers, of course!

For the past 32 years, these women have met weekly, knitting and crocheting an assortment of woolly items to bring warmth, comfort and a sprinkling of care to those in need.

In the early 90s, the group met at Hospice East Rand, creating beautiful blankets, scarves and bed socks for the organisation’s fêtes, which contributed largely to its in-patient fundraising efforts.

“When Hospice closed its in-patient facility, restructuring to offer concentrated home-based palliative care, we needed to find an alternative space to keep our hooking hands busy,” said host of the group Kathryn Roberts.

With their items nearing completion are Linda du Toit (left) and Thea du Plessis.

Repurposing the garage at her Farrarmere home, Kathryn created a new studio and meeting space for the group, who have since created a wave of knitted goodies.

Speaking in a melodic French accent while her yarn slipped from one needle to the other, Nicole Koll said that she has been knitting for as long as she can remember.

“Knitting is an art. You are creating an item that not only has the ability to warm you physically but with every thread woven together it warms the heart too,” said Koll.

“I am proud of every item I complete.”

In July, the group donated more than 200 items to Life Link, the Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity and Gauteng Central Mental Health Society’s Thusanang Workshop, in Daveyton.

Members of the Happy Hookers knitting group of Farrarmere with Emmanuel Rabtla, social auxiliary worker at Gauteng Central Mental Health Society’s Thusanang Workshop, in Daveyton.

Emmanuel Rabtla, the social auxiliary worker at Thusanang Workshop, which offers daycare workshops to those living with intellectual disabilities, said that the donation received from the group brought warmth to the beneficiaries and that the smiles that spread across their faces when hearing that loving ‘gogos’ made it for them, was priceless.

“We love what we do here and hope that every blanket, jersey, pair of booties or beanie feels like a loving embrace to every baby, child or person in need,” said Kathryn.

“To us, the group is a place where we can let our creativity and God-given talents flow. The friendships we have built here offer a safe haven to talk about our concerns, share joyous news or find solutions for problems facing the world.

“It is a beautiful therapy group wrapped up in yarn.”