A CROCHET group in Inverclyde have donated more than 50 blankets to help people in the local community.

The Sling Your Hook classes, run by Donna Picket, started as a way to try and save what Donna thought was a dying art form.

She has now taught more than 70 people how to crochet in the last year and a half.

Donna said: “I started the free classes as a way to try and save what I believe is part of the Scottish heritage.

“Crochet helps improve mental health and the classes allow people to come along and learn at their own pace, with like-minded people.

“Everyone works on their own projects at their own speed and we have a chat and a cup of tea."

Members of the group have started to crochet knee blankets and larger blankets for Compassionate Inverclyde.

These are included in the organisation's Back Home Boxes, which are packed with essential items for people leaving hospital who live alone.

The larger blankets are used by the No One Dies Alone project, which sees companions sit with people in their final hours when family and friends are not available.

Donna says that although people learn at their own pace, there hasn’t been anyone she hasn’t been able to teach.

She said: “It is just great seeing people go from the learners to creating beautiful blankets with intricate patterns. Some people have even surpassed me!

“It makes me so proud that we are able to help by making these donations. I was at the hospital and a man opened a back home box in front of me and it had my blanket inside. It made me so proud.”

Donna runs classes on Wednesday’s from 12-3pm at Branchton Community Centre and Wednesday from 6-8pm in Port Glasgow Salvation army Hall on King Street.

Susan Hamill, from Inverkip, attends and says she would encourage anyone to head along. She is now almost finished her first knee blanket after only attending a few sessions.

She said: “I have wanted to crochet for years but never got round to it, Donna taught me and now I love it.

“I just retired and it has been great for me, Donna is so patient and finds a way that works for you."

Anyone interested in learning is advised to contact Sling Your Hook Crochet on Facebook or head along to a class.