Kathleen crafts kindness with hats for neonatal babies while highlighting magic of Derry's Central Library Sewing Bee

Kathleen Kerr has crocheted 95 gorgeous baby hats, off all different colours and sizes, which she will kindly gift to the unit.

Kathleen told the Journal how she was inspired to do so after seeing a post from the hospital, who were seeking the items and also with the encouragement of the ‘brilliant’ sewing bee class she attends at the Central Library.

She said: "I worked for nearly 40 years – 30 years in Boots and 10 before that. When I retired, I wanted to do something else and started to go to a couple of wee classes. I would have knit when my children were younger but wanted to learn to crochet.

"I joined the Sewing Bee in the Central Library. It’s a lovely wee group of ladies, all of different age groups. Some knit, some sew, some quilt, you just bring what you want to do. They do a lot of things for the hospital, such as blankets for people waiting in A&E, baby blankets, fidget blankets for people with Alzheimers and Dementia and Autistic children and other items such as bags for people undergoing chemotherapy. It’s such a brilliant wee group and I just love it.

"I saw a few months ago that the hospital was looking for wee hats for the babies. They use them all year round. I started around Christmas time and crocheted around three a day. I did other things as well, in between, like cushions. The hats are different colours and different sizes for the babies.

Kathleen will hand over the hats soon and said she then intends to begin a project knitting hats for children who need them in other countries, which is also an initiative of the Sewing Bee.

The Sewing Bee meets at Derry’s Central Library every Wednesday at 12:30pm – 2pm – All are welcome!

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