Knit one, purl one: yarn bombing comes to Lathlain

20 Jul 2016

By The Record

Seniors at Mercy Place Lathlain took up the hobby of yarn bombing – a type of street art that uses colourful displays of knitted or crocheted yarn rather than paint or chalk – earlier this year. Photo: Supplied

Seniors at Mercy Place Lathlain have been busy unravelling the mysteries of yarn bombing – and adorning the home with their intricately knitted creations.

The seniors – all residents at the not-for-profit residential home – took up the hobby earlier this year, following in the footsteps of the thousands of people worldwide who have become involved with the global yarn bombing movement.

Mercy Place Lathlain Service Manager, Lorraine Wallis, said the novel activity was the source of much fun and enjoyment for the residents involved.

“Our residents have loved being involved in such a pleasurable and creative activity, with many rekindling their passion for knitting and crocheting,” Ms Wallis says.

“Not only have they enjoyed the process of knitting the creations which now adorn our home and have created a huge splash of colour, they’ve also loved being part of what has now become a global movement; we think it’s pretty exciting that yarn bombing has come to Lathlain.”

Mercy Health is a Catholic community, not-for-profit provider of care, founded by the Sisters of Mercy and grounded in a 2,000-year history of caring for those in need.

The organisation is a national service provider of health and aged care throughout Victoria, Southern New South Wales, Western Australia, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory.

In Western Australia, the organisation cares for over 300 people across six residential homes, with 78 independent living units.