FOR a group of Tamil seniors who took up knitting just before lockdown, casting on means chilling out and sharing burdens.

Formed on the cusp of the covid-induced lockdown, members of the Canberra Tamil Seniors Knitting Group would meet once a fortnight at a hall in Isaacs to stitch together scarves, blankets, beanies and jumpers.

When restrictions moved their classes over the phone, it didn’t stop the group’s seven members – aged between 70 and 90 – from knitting, laughing and sharing their problems.

“We talk about our problems and we help each other figure things out, we have a real seniors bond,” says group member Yogeswary Ganesalingam, 78, a retired university professor who learnt to knit as a child growing up in Sri Lanka.

Her passion for knitting had to take a backseat when she was raising her own family. 

Now a grandmother, she is re-discovering the joy and the camaraderie that knitting brings.

“I’ve made about six beanies for my grandchildren so far,” says the former professor, who moved to Canberra from Sri Lanka with her husband about 12 years ago.

“Knitting is really good for the brain. It keeps you young.”

The group is the brainchild of Sri Lankan-born Shiamala Suntharalingam, who lives in Canberra but works as a GP in Queanbeyan.

Dr Suntharalingam, a GP of 20 years, uses knitting to “wind down” after a busy day at work.

“I make beanies, cardigans, jumpers, baby stuff for friends and family, just whatever I wish to have a go at,” Dr Suntharalingam says.

“It’s nice to come home after work, switch on the TV and make something with my hands that I can wear or give as a present for someone to enjoy.”

When Dr Suntharalingam was asked to give a talk to the Canberra Tamil Seniors Group about the importance of covid vaccinations, she decided to take her knitting along and the idea for a knitting group was born.

“They loved the knitting I brought in and they asked if I would teach them to knit and crochet,” Dr Suntharalingam says.

“Some of the ladies knew how to knit, others didn’t, so we started from scratch learning and teaching together. We started making beanies, then scarves. One lady who is 90 years old wanted to knit leg warmers so I found a pattern and she made them. Now the ladies are knitting cardigans for their grandchildren.”

During lockdown Dr Suntharalingam took it upon herself to figure out a way she could stay in touch with her knitting students despite social distancing rules.

The 48-year-old quickly turned to using the phone to conduct her classes.

“The ladies telephone me and we get by by going through patterns over the phone or over WhatsApp,” Dr Suntharalingam says.

“My Tamil is not so great and some of the ladies’ English is not so good so one of the ladies translates for me.”

Dr Suntharalingam, who learnt to knit in the UK where she grew up, says the group has become like her family.

“They are all very competitive amongst themselves to get their projects done,” Dr Suntharalingam chuckled.

“Two of the ladies, when we were meeting face to face, would bring along eastern traditional food and I am going to be learning their recipes so it’s a two-way thing.”

Apart from the health benefits, Dr Suntharalingam feels that knitting is also good for the soul.

“When I moved to Canberra in 2012 I didn’t know anyone so I searched for a knitting group and I found the Erindale Library Knitting Group. I got on the bus with my knitting and I went along, I made friends and we still keep in touch today,” Dr Suntharalingam says.

“That’s the great thing about knitting, it’s a lovely hobby to have because it brings people together.”

Dr Suntharalingam says the group has been a lifeline for many of its members.

“Because of the cultural differences, some of the ladies in the group don’t get out a lot, so this helps them do something different.”

Eagerly awaiting the end of lockdown, members of the knitting group can’t wait to resume their lessons in person, where Christmas orders for knitted apparel will be high on the agenda. 

“At the moment I’m making a pink sweater for my teenage granddaughter in Canada and I hope to finish it in time for Christmas,” says Ms Ganesalingam.

To join the Canberra Tamil Seniors Knitting Group, email shiamala72@gmail.com