Phyllis can't stop knitting!

EVER heard the one about the granny who cannot stop knitting? Neither had we, until we met 70-year-old pensioner Phyllis Smith from Redbond Lodge in Great Dunmow. Mrs Smith restarted the age-old craft after a 20-year break when she joined a knitting class

EVER heard the one about the granny who cannot stop knitting? Neither had we, until we met 70-year-old pensioner Phyllis Smith from Redbond Lodge in Great Dunmow.

Mrs Smith restarted the age-old craft after a 20-year break when she joined a knitting class at the residential home where she lives.

Redbond Lodge manager Karen Briggs said that since the classes began a few weeks ago, Mrs Smith has not stopped knitting.

"It is amazing," she said. "She has knitted hats, gloves, jumpers and most recently a selection of teddy bears, some of which are very complicated to do.

"So far she has done 23 teddies but she is already half way through the 24th. She has become a little superstar around the home now and is even getting special requests."

The teddies will be sent of to a local WI group at the end of the week before being sent to third world and war-torn countries to comfort orphaned children.

Although Mrs Smith does the knitting for fun it also helps her battle against dementia and memory loss.

Mrs Briggs said: "Because she used to knit in her younger years, all of the old stories have come flooding back as the hobby revives her memory."

All 23 teddies have been knitted within one week taking around four hours each to complete.

Mrs Smith said: "My hands are not as fast as they used to be but I am really enjoying taking up one of my favourite hobbies again. I will carry on even after the teddies have been sent.