Knitters needed to create jumpers for little penguins at risk

Get Stitched Up owner Lisa Martin is organising a knit-in at noon-2pm on Saturday to help the Penguin Foundation Phillip Island create enough jumpers for the 1400 extra breeding little penguins expected on the Victorian island as part of an expansion program.

Ms Martin said the jumpers were needed in 2001 when 438 penguins were caught in a major oil spill. The jumpers acted as a barrier to prevent the penguins reaching their oily feathers with their beaks before staff could clean all the birds.

The extra jumpers will provide stock for any future emergencies.

Ms Martin said she had been sent the correct knitting pattern for the jumpers.

"They are tiny. They are just the size of your hand."

Ms Martin said competent knitters would only take two hours. "It's pretty straight forward," she said.

She said people should register to knit by calling her on 0408 968 872.

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