SALLY SULLIVAN

I never really learnt how to knit, I just always could, having copied my mother who knitted a lot when I was young. She also sewed our clothes as kids; if we needed it, she made it. Knitting was fun, but it wasn’t until I knitted animals that it came alive. The possibilities became endless!

In 2014, a friend of mine came to our “Stitch N Bitch” group in Wollombi and asked if a few of us would like to knit a pattern that she had. The pattern was for a little rabbit wearing a jacket. Her plan was to give them to new mothers of Downe Syndrome babies, helping them and letting them know they were not alone, and that support was there. I loved the pattern and soon wanted to make other animals. I searched online for a knitted horse but was unable to find one that I liked. So, instead I designed my own and was hooked (pardon the crochet pun). Yes, even obsessed, loving the journey I went on, designing each animal. Knitting patterns are very long and drawn out, so I came up with my own code to make it quicker, sort of a shorthand. I bored quickly when it came to stitching all the pieces together when it was finished. So, I designed the animal as much as possible, in one piece, so there was only one or two places that needed stitching together.

I continue to knit my animals, the kookaburra, wombat, swamp hen, echidna, sugar glider and wallaby. All Australian native animals to make people smile. I wonder what animal I will create next.

Sal’s Creations