NATTY knitters are needed to created woollen wonders for charity.

Age UK on Portland runs knitting projects throughout the year and runs a regular knit and natter group on the second Tuesday of every month between 10am to 12.30pm at their centre in Fortuneswell.

Their current project is the Big Knit 2014 which involves making little woolly hats which will sit on Innocent smoothie bottles in supermarkets during the winter months. For each be-hatted smoothie sold, Age UK receives 25p to help fund local services.

In 2012 knitters around Portland created a massive 3,081 tiny hats and organisers are hoping this year will see even more created.

The last project the knitters completed was to create blanket and hat sets for new born babies in the Gambia.

Working with the African charity Goal for the Gambia, the Islands’ knitters made 135 knitted baby hat and blanket sets and a further 325 hats for the newborns. These will be sent to a clinic in Somita Village to be given out to new parents Nicky Turrell, Portland Age UK co-ordinator said: “I would like to thank everyone who took part for their time and effort, we received some really wonderfully made items.”

She added: “I would also like to thank the Wool Shop and Island Community Action in Easton who acted as collection points.”

Local Goal for Gambia representative, Bev LeSueur said: “The charity is delighted with the blankets and bonnets and will now be able to supply these wonderful gifts putting big smiles on many new parents’ faces.”

n Patterns for the Big Knit 2014 are available via e-mail at nickyturrell@ageukdorchester.org.uk or calling 07971 338700 or at Age UK in Fortuneswell – on the old library site, or from the Wool Shop and Island Community Action in Easton.