The Advertiser Foundation Blanket Appeal 2026: South AustraliaN Country Women’s Association’s purls of wisdom for Le Fevre Peninsula Primary School students

As The Advertiser Foundation Blanket Appeal kicks off its new Yarn for Good Competition, a group of Semaphore students is already proving that knitting needles can be just as entertaining as a touchscreen. Forget screens and scrolling – students at Le Fevre Peninsula Primary School are swapping iPads for knitting needles as they learn the cosy art of crafting scarfs, squares and maybe even a classroom blanket.

The youngsters have been getting hands-on with volunteers from the South Australian Country Women’s Association (SACWA) Semaphore branch, who have spent the past few years teaching kids old-school life skills, including sewing, cooking, and now knitting.

REGISTER TO ENTER THE COMPETITION HERE

Le Fevre Peninsual Primary School students Aaron Hay, Ayomide Olumide, and Izzy Strappozzoe, knitting squares for The Advertiser Foundation's Blanket Appeal. Picture: Eleni Tzanos

Year 5 student Aaron Hay, 11, said his love of knitting started at home.

“My grandma taught me how to knit, and I did some sewing last year. It’s really fun,” he said. Classmate Izzy Strappozzoe, 10, already has a favourite project in mind.

“I love knitting, especially scarfs,” she said. Meanwhile, Ayomide Olumide, 11, is just getting started but already dreaming big. “I’m excited to learn how to knit; maybe a scarf would be good for the cold,” she said.

SACWA Semaphore volunteer Dianne Dietman said the program was about much more than craft. “They’ve learnt so many things – how to cook scones, sew buttons and now how to knit a scarf,” she said. “We might do a long ongoing project, and the kids can make a classroom blanket, one square at a time. “We often have chats among ourselves about what we used to do as kids, and then we started passing them along to the students.”

Dianne Dietman, has been helping students for years and says each session is fun. Picture: Eleni Tzanos

She said the sessions had become a hit. “There are quite a few kids that take part, and they have a lot of fun — it’s just great to see.” The wholesome school project comes as The Advertsier Foundation Blanket Appeal and SACWA encourage South Australians to pick up their needles for the new Yarn for Good Competition, raising funds for people experiencing hardship this winter.

The competition features three categories – footy-related fun, knick-knacks, and baby – with prizes on offer for the best creations. Whether you are a master with the knitting needles, a crochet enthusiast, or a stitching novice, this competition is all about community connection. And if you can't craft, then consider sponsoring someone who can or just donate.

Entries will be showcased at the Royal Adelaide Show’s iconic CWA Tearooms later this year.

To enter, crafters can upload photos of their knitted, crocheted or stitched creations and make a $25 donation through the competition page.

Entries close on August 18, with full details available in The Advertiser Foundation’s Yarn for Good competition article.