Wool, Friendship, and Care

Real Living villages are home to a vibrant mix of residents—some still working part-time, others actively contributing to their communities through meaningful projects. At Remuera Gardens, a group of passionate residents has transformed a lifelong hobby into a heartfelt way to support those in need.

The Pins and Needles Group held their very first meeting just one year ago—and they’ve been knitting up a storm ever since. Every Monday afternoon, members gather in the Community Lounge at Beattie Lodge to knit peggy squares, which are later crocheted into cosy, colourful blankets.

Since Christmas, their dedication has resulted in a beautiful collection of handmade creations, now proudly on display in a special exhibition before being donated to Auckland City Mission.

Some members joined without ever having picked up a pair of knitting needles, but through laughter, encouragement, and friendship, they’ve grown in confidence and skill. Stitch by stitch, they’ve created something truly meaningful.

Group organiser Jill says, “Some of them had never knitted before, and now they’re becoming more and more adventurous. The happiness and fellowship you see in the group is amazing—there’s only room for positivity and encouragement.”

The knitting needles are also clicking away at full speed at Epsom Village, where residents recently celebrated a heartwarming milestone. The village’s knitting group marked the donation of 100 knee blankets to the Older People’s wards at Auckland Hospital with a lovely afternoon tea. The event was attended by Rodney Whitmore, Volunteer Coordinator from Patient Management Services.

Lesley, one of the knitting group’s dedicated volunteers, shared how meaningful the project has been for both the knitters and the patients who receive their work:

"These blankets go to patients with long hospital stays—whether for use in bed or while sitting in wheelchairs—and they often become quite attached to them,” she said. “I’ve seen the joy on their faces when they receive one, and the fact that they can take it home makes it even more special. Our knitters are incredibly proud to be part of this."

The knitting group, funded through raffles and generous donations, has been a vibrant part of village life. They’ve covered the cost of acrylic wool themselves and continue to explore ways to expand the project, as demand from the hospital exceeds current supply. Epsom Village currently delivers an average of five blankets each week.

In addition to their work for Auckland Hospital, the group has also been knitting for Ukraine. Since 2022, they’ve contributed annually to a container organised by Mission Without Borders, a Christian charity supporting the poor and marginalised in Eastern Europe. Their donations have included blankets, hats, scarves, baby clothes—and nearly one hundred hand-knitted toys.

Knitting is at the heart of the community at Pakuranga Park—so much so that the village is home to not just one, but two thriving knitting groups.

There was a joyful celebration recently as residents gathered for an afternoon tea to mark a year of knitting for children in need. Four trestle tables were piled high with beautiful hand-knitted and crocheted items, including jerseys, cardigans, beanies, shawls, slippers, blankets, and even toys. These heartfelt creations were donated to six nominated charities: Middlemore Foundation, South Auckland Plunket, Botany Babies, Anglican Christian Trust, Women’s Refuge, and Monte Cecilia.

Lise Gittings, one of the knitters, shared: "We meet in the Park Lounge on Thursday afternoons at 1pm and finish around 2:30pm with a coffee and a chat. Everyone is welcome—even if it’s just for a natter! Don’t worry if you don’t have knitting needles or a crochet hook—we can supply them."

The second knitting group meets at 1pm on Saturdays and is part of a larger New Zealand-wide network under the international initiative Operation Cover Up. This program sends warmth and love from Aotearoa to people in war-torn countries through hand-knitted blankets, scarves, beanies, and more. Twice a year, two large containers are packed and shipped to Central Europe, where the items are distributed to areas most in need.

From Remuera to Epsom to Pakuranga, the knitting groups across our Real Living villages are doing far more than creating blankets—they’re weaving threads of compassion, connection, and purpose. Whether it’s bringing comfort to patients in hospital, warmth to children and families in need, or hope to those in distant parts of the world, our residents are proving that small acts of kindness—stitched together with care—can make a big impact. These inspiring efforts reflect the true heart of our communities: generous, creative, and deeply committed to making a difference.