Big Knit returns for Shelter Scotland
17 October 2011
Knitted blanket squares and designer hats from all over the world will once again feature at the heart of The Big Knit – a wild and woolly fundraising event in aid of Shelter Scotland and a key part of the renowned Perthshire Amber Festival.
The festival is built around legendary Scottish singer-songwriter Dougie MacLean, who earlier this year received an OBE for his services to music and charity. Dougie’s wife Jenny and family and friends organise the 10-day music and outdoor festival which attracts thousands of visitors from all over Britain and around the world.
This year the festival runs from Friday 28th October to Sunday 6th November from its new home base in Dunkeld – Dougie’s hometown. The concert venues will range throughout Perthshire from an iron-age crannog to castles and a cathedral, village halls, town halls and the prestigious Perth Concert Hall.
Once Dougie’s mum Dolly and her team have stitched together all the knitted squares – donated from as far afield as Australia, America and Scandinavia - the resulting Shelter Scotland blanket is then auctioned at the festival’s closing concert. Last year the blanket ended up in Holland after a winning bid from Teun van de Wardt of Apeldoorn. In the end, £1550 was raised.
Graeme Brown, Director of Shelter Scotland, said:
“We thanks everyone involved in the Big Knit for their support and all those who have contributed to the Shelter Scotland blanket. In particular we thank Dougie, Jenny and Dolly MacLean and congratulate them on the fantastic festival that is the Perthshire Amber.
“The funds raised will go towards Shelter Scotland’s work to help people keep a roof over their heads.”
Jenny MacLean, Director of the Perthshire Amber Festival says:
“We are very proud to support Shelter Scotland’s important work. As usual we look forward to the completion and auction of the 2011 Shelter Scotland Blanket. This year it takes place in the prestigious Perth Concert Hall where the two final concerts of our festival are held. The Dougie MacLean with Friends Concert, on Saturday November 5th, is always a great night and a sell-out. Pete Wishart (MP) is presiding that night as our auctioneer and we're anticipating some fierce bidding.
“I also want to say thanks to Big Knit team members Linda and Anna who travel up from Portsmouth to the festival each year and have developed their ‘Hats for the Homeless’ idea. They evolved four hat patterns, made them available for download from our festival website and now the hats are flooding in! Two knitting groups in Perthshire, the Special Treats Group and the Kirkmichael Clickers have sent in over 50 lovely hats while Linda and Anna are bringing at least another 50 up with them. ....and just yesterday a box of 8 truly beautifully knitted hats arrived in advance of a festival-goer from Switzerland!"
Jenny MacLean, added:
“It is very exciting to think that people all over the world are knitting squares to make up the Shelter Scotland blanket. Not only is it great fun but knitters are supporting a very worthwhile charity and contributing to making a beautiful blanket.This all shows that the Perthshire Amber and the Big Knit are becoming year-round activities with knitting for the next festival beginning as soon as this one’s finished.”
Full instructions for taking part in the Big Knit are available on the website: www.perthshireamber.com
