NEEDLES are at the ready as a knitter is ready to create premature baby cardigans in memory of her grandparents.
Observer Editor, Sarah Mason, is set to pick up her grandad’s knitting needles throughout November to raise funds for Dementia UK, which sees specialist nurses known as Admiral Nurses, provide free, expert advice, support and understanding to help families care for their loved ones.
The charity’s November Knitting Challenge 2025 calls on fundraisers to knit every day throughout the month and raise funds.
Sarah has challenged herself to make baby cardigans throughout the month, which will be donated to a neonatal unit.
The cause is very close to her heart as her grandad – Tony, who suffered with dementia – taught her to knit when she was just seven years old.
She said: “Whenever I think back to the school holidays I always see the same image in my mind – my grandad sat in his armchair with his latest creation on the go.
“Over the years he made many jumpers and cardigans, most of them were for his grandchildren.
“Whenever there was a baby due in the family he would make sure they were welcomed to the world with a cardigan.”
Tony was later diagnosed with dementia and died in 2014.
A year later Sarah found out she was pregnant and determined to keep family tradition alive she picked up his knitting needles and tried to remember all that she had been taught.
She said: “As I was going through his vast collection of knitting supplies I found an unfinished newborn cardigan with the pattern.
“Knowing I was expecting I wanted to finish it so my baby could have something my grandad had created to wear.
“But my luck ran short as I couldn’t find the end in the tangled mess, so I set about making the cardigan he set out however many years previous – no matter how difficult it was.”
As a novice knitter Sarah looked to family and friends for help to make the challenging pattern – and did manage to complete it in time for her little one’s arrival.
And the tradition of a family hand-knitted cardigan continued with her second born.
She has set out to raise £100 for Dementia UK in memory of Tony and his wife Ellen, who also suffered with dementia and died in 2018.
For more or to donate click here.
