Over the years, the “Friend” Love Darg has helped thousands of people in need. Love Darg 2024 will be in aid of Knit for Peace.
The Love Darg began in 1885 as a Grand Exhibition and Bazaar of Juvenile Industry to raise funds for a cot in the Children’s Ward of Dundee Royal Infirmary. There would also be fund-raising concerts and dinners.
It soon developed into the National Wild Flower Exhibition and Competition for the benefit of various sick children’s hospitals.
Thereafter it further developed into the major nationwide charity appeal where readers would make thousands of gifts that were annually donated to over 80 hospitals, children’s homes care homes and hospices the length and breadth of the country in time for Christmas.
There was a competition, too, which readers could choose to enter, with prizes for best in categories including babies, children’s, toys and more.
Entries and all donations used to come into the “Friend” office, and one day a year was set aside for packing up donations.
Liz O’Rourke, our current knitting editor, remembers helping out as a junior member of staff.
“The room was packed full of garments, toys, blankets and baby clothes, all in piles. We would be given a slip of paper with the needs for a particular orphanage, home or hospital. We would select what was needed and it all got packed in big boxes before being delivered.
“I always remember the beautiful selection of Shetland shawls that would come in every year for babies, and many men would send in hand-made wooden toys.”
Milo modelling a blanket for Cat’s Protection.
Times changed and orphanages and asylums became a thing of the past, and in this day of the automatic washing machine, care homes are looking for easily laundered goods, and baby units do not have the room to accommodate knitted goods. This is why, since 2010, we have supported selected charities with particular items or cash donations from readers.
In this time, the Love Darg has supported the Red Cross, the Blue Cross, Age UK, Shelter, Cats Protection and Knit for Peace.
Items knitted and crocheted include pet blankets and comforters, cat toys, tea cosies, hats, scarves, knee rugs, baby blankets and kimono dressing gowns.
This year we we are once again asking our generous readers to make items for Knit for Peace, which will be distributed where most needed to support vulnerable people. Knit for Peace welcome donations of all types of knitwear, but cosy cardigans, sweaters, blankets, socks, scarves, hats and gloves are particularly useful. Baby layettes are welcome as they can be gifted to vulnerable families with a newborn child.
To support this, Knit for Peace welcomes donations of yarn, which it can then use in its work with marginalised sections of society, for example in prisons and women’s refuges, for low-income families or for sending to refugees arriving in the UK.
A Scottish Tradition
The Love Darg name comes from an old Scots phrase meaning “a day’s work done for love”. It is believed to come from farming communities who would help one another out without payment. In our case we ask readers to use their time and skills to help others as they have done for over 100 years.
How To Donate
Knit for Peace always needs warm clothing and blankets so your donation will be very welcome.
Sign up online and receive a Registration Pack, including instructions on how to take part and an exclusive pattern from our archives to get you started, now!
Hannah McLaren I've worked at DC Thomson for six years! I began as an intern at My Weekly and The Scots Magazine, which was extended by a few months to help out at The People's Friend. I then covered maternity as Celebrity Editor for My Weekly, before I became Multimedia Journalist at The Scots Magazine. Currently I'm writing digital content across each title.
