Russels knitters must wait to hear if they have record

What started as a little project at the beginning of October has brought out a competitive side to many of the visitors who have now managed to create a knitted chain with more than 1,000 links.

‘We started to build up a knitted chain as a simple, accessible and social task that islanders who come to the centre could take part in,’ centre manager Denise Cohu said.

‘Over these few months it has really grown and when we suggested entering it for a world record, our knitters became very competitive, hence the 1,073 links they have completed.’

The chain is now pinned up on the ceiling of the lounge, adding some decoration and colour for the visitors to enjoy.

However, there are still hundreds of links not used on the ceiling which will form part of various displays for Christmas and the new year.

‘Some of the excess chains will also be used in physical activities with the visitors and a colour-related quiz,’ Mrs Cohu said.

‘Everybody really embraced the challenge, even those non-knitters were encouraging the others to complete as many as possible – it has really rejuvenated them.’

Jill Domaille, 81, was instrumental in the creation of the chain, having knitted more than 200 links herself.

‘Each link took me about 20 minutes but I love knitting, always have. I’ll knit anything,’ she said.

Mrs Domaille said it was a wonderful project to be involved with and was very excited to wait and see if she and her knitting friends had broken the record.

Special thanks were given to Glenys Domaille, who sewed each link together.

An application has been sent off to the Guinness World Records committee, but it could take up to 12 weeks for the centre to be told if it has broken the current record for the world’s longest knitted chain.

Mrs Cohu believes the previous record was 1,000 links on a chain, which the centre would have beaten by 73.