There is something wonderfully soothing about crocheting and knitting. The mediative repetition lulls you while you slowly watch your creation grow and grow. Click, clack, hook, hook…
Recently, when I was in Hobart at a conference. There was a wonderful lady there that had organised a beautiful Crafting Womb. Knitting needles and wool provided. All the listeners had to do was simply knit while they listened to the various speakers throughout the days. A speaker at the front and a silence that was filled with warmth… the gentle click clack of the needles weaving their magic.
So what were they knitting?
They were knitting squares for the Hamlin Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia. (For anyone that doesn’t know of it, please have a look at their website.)
Coming back home, I wanted to do something like this. I wanted to knit or crochet for someone else. A seemingly small gesture, that I knew I could do. I also mentioned it to a couple of friends who were just as keen, and so it begins. A morning at the park sitting in the winter sun, with our hooks and needles, grand plans to begin and continue.
It was a slow start, but with two babies, one toddler and three preschoolers- I think that’s ok. A chance to connect over some simple food and crafting. A brief period to slow it down a little and at the same time creating something that will be used and treasured by someone in need.
That’s something that I definitely want to be a part of.
These scones have been inspired by my baking guru’s Celia and Joanna. They created International Scone Week (actually it goes for a fortnight) and I needed no other baking encouragement. Scones it is.
Date and Orange Scones
3 cups self raising flour
1 cup cream
1 cup water
1 cup chopped dried dates
zest of half an orange (unwaxed)
a sprinkle of raw sugar
a pinch of salt
Lightly mix wet ingredients to dry, and turn out to a well floured surface. Lightly knead using your finger tips mostly, bringing it all together (you don’t want to handle it a lot.) Cut into circles (an upturned glass works well.) and place on a greased or lined baking tray. Bake at 220C for approximately 20 mins or until golden.
Eat with enthusiasm.
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For anyone interested in creating their own knitting/crocheting group for charities, have a search to see what’s local to you. There are a lot of various charities that would all be appreciative of your woollen acts of love and also a beautiful chance to connect with others while doing so. So gather a few friends, pop on the kettle, grab the last of the biscuits from the biscuit tin and get crafting.
cityhippyfarmgirl 
Woollen acts of love coupled with scones — delightful! I’m just finishing up some squares for Wraps With Love.
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Wonderful Rose. How many did you do?
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I love scones – just asked my mom for a batch for my birthday. Knitting for me is calming.. I’m working on a sweater right now.
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I’d love to think I could manage a whole sweater one day… one day.
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I have never made scones but since you and all my other blogging buddies are making them I think it must give them a try. Sorry I’m behind on your posts but my reader isn’t showing many of the blogs that I am following. I really don’t know what is wrong…even mine isn’t showing up.
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Scones are delicious Karen. I highly recommend them… especially with jam and cream.
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These certainly look yummy indeed!
I have seen a marvellous documentary on this hospital and the life-changing work it does for women- just amazing! I hope you guys knit up a storm, and think it’s a fantastic cause. xox
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Thanks R. I think It’s a pretty awesome cause too.
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I’ve knitted hat for cancer patients and also worked on sweaters for orphans in Haiti- it is a fantastic way of sharing. Your scones look wonderful- I love oranges and dates!
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You’re a true knitter Heidi… One day I really hope I am up to that kind of standard.
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Lovely scones and lovely plate. They do seem to go hand in hand with knitting. Your project sounds great – knitting is a very soothing activity. In fact it is raining outside the right thing to do seems to be to knit and eat scones – alas I have other pressing matters – sigh!
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I love that plate too. Rescued from the roadside in a pile of boxes destined for the garbage truck unfortunately… well fortunately I got it.
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I know of Catherine Hamlin. She and her husband have been so wonderful with the work they have done so selflessly in Ethiopia. I also know the author who wrote the book, A Hospital by the River that tells Catherine’s story. It’s a great book if you haven’t read it. I love the idea of being able to knit while in a lecture. I used to knit and really loved it. I would take my knitting with me on the bus that took an hour to get me to my job. I would also knit while on night duty as a nurse. I agree, it’s wonderfully therapeutic and relaxing. I wish I hadn’t let my knitting skills go xx
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I’m sure they would come back easily enough Charlie. Those skills are in there just waiting to be ignited again…I’m sure of it.
As for the book, yes, a wonderful read.
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Sounds like a lovely little community of crafters you’ve started B and thanks for sharing the link to Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia – they look like they are doing GREAT things there. Love that someone has created International Scone Week 🙂
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It is lovely M… all of it 🙂
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The two really do go hand in hand don’t they! 😀
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They do!
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My mum used to make blankets for Oxfam, they were real sticklers for precision as the blankets are used for a varierty of purposes. She was told that it needed to be tight enough to carry seeds and grain!
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Not so much for this organisation. (Although they could well use the blanket for other things like that later.) Each patient is given a blanket on admission to go over their hospital gown when admitted.
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My mother makes quilts for, as she puts it, little babies without fathers, and it keeps her sewing machine rattling along day after day. She loves it. Your scones look perfection, too!
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Misky can I have some quilting lessons from your mum??
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My mum knitted little doll thingys for African children’s hospitals for a while – there was a call for them in Perth and I know she loved renewing her knitting skill for the cause. I need to discover my knitting skill first, but I do love your ideas here.
I also love these scones – orange and date = perfect scone flavours in my mind 🙂
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Orange and date just works doesn’t it Kari… make some for your mum 🙂
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Simply wonderful fun! Love the work the Hamlins do and the book is so inpsiring.
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A truly inspiring Australian woman.
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You’ve inspired me, I’ve just emailed the crafters from our playgroup to see if we could do something like this. And the scones look great, love the flavour combination. My secret weapon for scones is soda water, you get great height and lightness/
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Barbara that’s fantastic. I’d love to see what you get up to and I’m sure the Crafting Womb would love to see what you get up to as well if you want to have a look at their lovely link though FB.
Awesome!
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I love the sound of that. I would love to knit with a group of mothers, but there really isn’t any around here. I admire your cause. And you can’t go wrong with scones 🙂
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Tania I’ve long yearned to do something like this with other like minded souls. The timing was just right… I’d love to have your knitting talents in our tiny group!
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hi there, out of curiosity i wandered over here and what did i find? my blog tute on joining the squares for Hamlin knitting. Thankyou for sharing, i hope it works for you and your friends.
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Beautifully timed Kaite. Such a wonderfully helpful tutorial- thank you for doing it.
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They are beautiful looking scones Brydie. I have never considered the combination of date and orange. They sure sound good.
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Give them a crack Glenda 🙂
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A delicious way to spend an afternoon, even if not much knitting got done in the end. I love the pictures your words conjure up, and I’d definitely like to try one of these scones.
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My mum still knits, however a couple of aunts always in the winter season make things from hats, scarfs and the wonderful woolley socks, couldn’t do without them socks!! Those scones look fantastic…and what wonderful flavours! Yx
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Beautiful, Brydie – and about to become my breakfast. Thanks for the inspiration.
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Guardian Pharmacy runs a knitting for children each year, I have made baby knits for them, worth a look you can find them here – http://www.guardianpharmacies.com.au/guardian-community/programs/2012-guardian-angel-knitting-program/ I love the scone recipe, hubby does a white chocolate scone which is divine!
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And friend recently had to take her daughter to the Doctor and they had needles and wool in the waiting room with a request for people to knit a row or two while waiting 🙂
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A really beautiful idea, Brydie and a great way to connect in a lovely setting.
Our local spinning group is collecting handknitted/crocheted toys for children in need – your post is a great reminder to get moving on that one.
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I am a useless knitter but admire everyone who does. Lovely scones and blessings to you all xxx
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I’ve been baking for my work at the hospice. I love the idea of getting a group together to knit for a good cause!
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