Something we were part of
Project Mother Bear
For years, knitters in this shop made teddy bears for children affected by HIV/AIDS in emerging nations. The charity closed at the end of 2025, after twenty-two years.
What it was
Project Mother Bear sent hand-knitted and crocheted teddy bears to children in South Africa, Zambia, Swaziland, Lesotho, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Burundi, Malawi, Botswana, Rwanda, Uganda, Namibia and elsewhere. Each bear carried a tag signed by the person who made it, so the child knew a real person had made it for them.
We brought it into the shop after seeing photographs on their website — children living with very little, holding a bear and grinning. That was the whole of the decision.
What it meant here
It turned out to be the right kind of project for a yarn shop. It used the scrap yarn everyone has and nobody knows what to do with, it was small enough to finish, and the pattern was forgiving. Bears left this counter in twos and threes for years.
Our thanks to everyone who made one.
Still want to knit for someone
If you were making bears and are looking for somewhere to put that yarn and that time, come and ask. Charity knitting groups come and go, and we usually know what is running locally.