Knitting Recovery, Kindness and Community at 93

At 93, Barbara is stitching together creativity, purpose, and community spirit - one baby hat at a time. A lifelong knitter and puzzle lover, Barbara is defying age and adversity with the support of her live-in carer Kamilla, provided by Mumby’s Live-in Care. After a stroke left her with right-sided weakness, Barbara found new motivation when her neighbour and fellow knitter Sue spotted a Facebook appeal from Basingstoke Maternity Hospital requesting knitted hats for newborns. What began as a shared hobby quickly became a powerful part of Barbara’s recovery and blossomed into a story of joy, connection, and community spirit.

Together, Barbara and Sue embraced the newborn knitted hat appeal with heart and determination - producing over 24 baby hats. Despite right-sided weakness from her stroke, Barbara knits one hat a day, while Sue completes hers in half that time.

Mumby’s live-in carer, Kamilla, originally from Hungary and an avid knitter herself, became a vital part of Barbara’s stroke recovery. Together, they explored patterns, shared techniques, and spent afternoons knitting side by side - chatting, watching Emmerdale, and crafting delicate Hungarian-style hats adorned with bobbles and flowers. Their shared passion has not only accelerated Barbara’s physical recovery but also enriched her emotional wellbeing.

“Knitting together with Barbara has been both a joyful and healing experience,” said Kamilla. “What started as a simple shared hobby soon became an important part of her recovery - helping to rebuild her fine motor skills, coordination, and confidence.

But perhaps even more importantly, it helped us build trust and a genuine connection. We learned from each other. Sometimes she showed me her techniques. Other times I gently helped her correct a stitch or take a short break when her hands or eyes were tired. These little moments brought laughter and lightness, making our days both productive and heartwarming.

It created space for conversation, trust, and companionship, which I believe played a vital role in her emotional recovery as well.

Barbara’s determination and pride in each completed hat was truly inspiring and ambitious for both of us, and the idea of celebrating the cute newborns and their families had a motivating, healing, and peace-giving power.

This simple, shared act of kindness became a bridge - between recovery and confidence, between care and companionship. It was truly a privilege to be part of that.”

Barbara’s daughter echoed this sentiment:

“Nan has always cared for others, especially Grandad. It’s wonderful to see her being cared for now, by someone who shares her passions. Kamilla has made a real difference.”

Recent research from the University of Gothenburg confirms what Barbara and Kamilla have experienced firsthand: knitting can bring calmness, structure, and emotional clarity to people recovering from illness or living with mental health challenges. The 2024 study found that knitting helps individuals unwind, focus, and feel a sense of identity and purpose - benefits that are especially valuable in stroke recovery and later life (ScienceDaily, March 2024).

Barbara’s story is a testament to the power of personalised care, shared interests, and the healing potential of human connection. With Sue’s recent delivery of hats to Basingstoke Hospital, the duo is already planning their next project: baby blankets.