Knitters unite in Orange to create protective jumpers for little penguins

That's how people from Orange and the region responded when the call went out to knit tiny jackets to protect little penguins at Victoria's Phillip Island.

Organiser Lisa Martin said about 13 women attended the Saturday afternoon knit-in at her William Street shop.

Ms Martin said there would be plenty of jumpers available to send to Victoria.

"From just the last few days there would probably be 50 and I'm expecting people will drop off more in the next few weeks," she said.

Ms Martin said it was a fun afternoon. "The ages ranged from a woman in her 20s to a lady in her 80s," she said.

"I'm happy to be looking at having another afternoon event [later on]."

After a major oil spill at Phillip Island in 2001 jackets were put on little penguins to stop them getting their beaks in contact with their feathers until staff could clean them.

More jackets are now being sought to stockpile in case of another emergency.

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