One doll came with The News
A grandmother’s knitted dolls have been popping up throughout Te Kūiti while her scarves are helping keep ‘The Chills’ at bay.
But ‘Grandie’ who made more than 95 dollies and 89 scarves want to remain anonymous.
“I’ve been knitting for a long time, but it was getting a little bit too heavy for my arms, so I started knitting dolls again,” she said. “It keeps my fingers busy and I love to think of the joy they’re going to give people.”
The dolls feature notes stating “my name’s Dainty Dillie and I’m not lost, just alone. If I make you smile, take me home or give me away, but whatever you do enjoy your day”.
This year Grandie’s handiwork has been discovered in many locations including the newspaper stand outside the King Country News’ office on King Street East.
“I’ve left them in shops and at the library. Other than that, I’ve put some in supermarket trolleys and left quite a few at the Journey Church – when I’m walking past, I might throw one in their door now and then.”
“This is being done all over New Zealand, all over the world actually. There are other dolls but they’re different thing to mine – I use my own pattern. I’ve sent them to other places in New Zealand and overseas, but they’re mostly just my little thing for people in and around Te Kuiti.
“As long as people enjoy them, I’ll keep up with my knitting… there’s not enough kindness in the world.”
