Lois knits Easter chicks to boost nursery funds

Hundreds of hand-knitted Easter chicks are being sold to raise funds for the children's outdoor play area in the University's nursery.

The chicks have been knitted by Lois Graham, the 91-year-old mum of nursery manager Janet Graham.

Janet said: 'Mum has always enjoyed knitting and has been making the chicks for the nursery for around 30 years.

'She really enjoys contributing and we have regularly sold the chicks, raising an average of £180 each year. But this year, she has really gone for it. She’s knitted 600 already and is still going strong with her knitting needles to make more!'

Lois, from Middlesbrough, said: 'I really love knitting and have always knitted jumpers, but I started to make the chicks after coming across a knitting pattern. I used to be able to rattle one off in about 20 minutes, but now each one takes me around 45 minutes, but I enjoy making them.

Funds for the nursery 'I’ve made snowmen in the past at Christmas time, but really like making the chicks. I must have knitted well over 3,000 of them over the years.'

Janet added: 'Once she has knitted the shape of the chick, mum then hand sews each one. The children in the nursery have been busy sticking on eyes and beaks on the chicks, which are each big enough to hold a Cadbury’s crème egg.

'Whatever is raised by sales of the knitted chicks goes back into the nursery and the children benefit. We want to add more equipment to an outdoor play area, to make it more adventurous.'

The chicks can be bought at £1.20 each by emailing j.graham@tees.ac.uk.

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