We have teamed up with Aberdeenshire Community Planning Partnership to encourage people to keep busy and be kind. Can you help make the dark nights and cold mornings feel that wee bit warmer by knitting a cosy bosie for someone in your community?
A bosie is a cuddle and as we are all doing what we can to keep everyone safe, we can't give real bosies to folk who might need one just now. However, we can make and gift a woollen item to help keep people warm and let them know others are thinking of them. A cosie bosie might be a knitted (or crocheted) lap blanket, hat, pair of gloves, socks or a scarf.
Knitting is good for you! Evidence shows that it's good for your physical and mental wellbeing. It can help lower your blood pressure, reduce depression, anxiety, as well as reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation. Working together on a project like this, whilst we are unable to meet in person, gives a greater sense of togetherness.
To ensure we're keeping everyone safe, we ask that you place any items you make into a paper or plastic bag and leave it untouched for 72 hours before passing it onto someone for distribution.
Once your item is safe, think about passing it on to someone in your community. There may be a group in your local community, such as a church group or resilience group, who could distribute knitted items locally.
Alternatively, you can drop off any knitted items at your nearest library Click and Collect location. We will continue to work with a wide range of community groups to organise more collection points around Aberdeenshire. Contact details will be available soon.
You can drop off your bosie at any library Click and Collect location when you pick up or return your library books. If you have no books to collect you can book a drop off slot via our Click and Collect service or call us to arrange a drop off slot on 01467 532929.
Click and Collect Locations
There are a large number of community groups taking part in this project who will coordinate gathered items and distribute them to those in need. If you run a group and are able to help us collect and distribute our cosy bosies please contact us at: libraries@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
We have a selection of knitting and crochet books available for you to download. What's more you can access them for free is you are a library member. Don't worry if you're not a member you can join here: Become a member
