Knitters unite(d) and save(d) the fairy penguins! **

Today I received a 'Get Well Soon' card from my mum, which had made its way to the hospital and been forwarded from there. The card, whilst lovely, was not the focus of my anticipation. What I waited for was the promised magazine clipping that was tucked inside; simply because, until I saw it for myself, I wasn't quite prepared to believe that it was true.

Both the Phillip Island Nature Park and the Tasmanian Conservation Trust are were asking for people to send them knitted jumpers for penguins. In fact although I understand that the request for help has now been cancelled, this only came to light through the web. If I'd relied purely on the (recent) paper clipping I'd be knitting away, as we speak.

To be specific, these are Little Penguins (yes thats a capital L because thats their proper name, although some also call them fairy penguins.)

The little guys are having trouble with oil slicks and are being rescued, but, hey, once the detergent has done its job, they have no natural oils left in the skin either, they cease to be waterproof and they catch cold.

**Honestly, seriously, genuinely, if you had half an hour and enough pure wool to knit an oblong measuring 9 inches by 4, then you could have saved the life of a fairy penguin.

Here are a couple that received the attention of someone who decided to have fun with this:


Here, incase you suspect I am pulling your chain (and hey, I understand, I was there myself a day ago) is the full pdf of knitting instructions, issued by the nature reserve.

Still think I'm on a wind up? See Snopes.