ARTIST OF THE MONTH Crocheting Cuddles and Kindness
Who doesn’t remember a favour - ite stuffed toy that kept them com- pany when they were a child— that quintessential character that you talked to, clung to, and that went with you everywhere? Anne Carruthers, a retired Melbourne farmer and speech pathologist now living in Strathroy, finds joy in creating delightful “stuffies” to be loved, played with, and hugged by children.
ty. Because crochet can’t be replicated on a machine, each of Anne’s stuffed creatures is unique in personality and truly a one- of-a-kind creation. Anne started by making little animals that she gave away to family and friends, but her repertoire has grown to include food, plants, vehicles, even large zoo and farm sets. Through much practice, Anne now develops her own patterns and experiments with stitches, shapes and colours to achieve the right essence for each project. Besides making her creations for friends and family, Anne donates them to various organizations, such as Melbourne and Cook's United Churches, which pass them on to community charities, and the Melbourne Agricultural Society for their fundraising efforts. Anne also ensures that a friend, who works as a Family Liaison with ChildCan, has plenty of amigurumi surprises in her bag for children with cancer. “Each child can take home a stuffie after every hospital admit - tance,” explains Anne. “I try catering to the children's passions for specific animals if I can. That allows me to get creative with dragons, narwhals, butterflies, and other creatures.” Anne enjoys amigurumi because her projects are fun and quick to make. However, seeing pictures of children with big smiles as they hug their stuffed creations is what truly keeps Anne crochet- ing cuddles and kindness. Organizers expect approximately 40 different services and clubs to have displays in the Caradoc Community Centre for attendees to visit. MOSC Community Services will have games and activi- ties set up that showcase different recreation programs as well. There is no cost to attend or participate as a business or commu- nity group, and all residents of Strathroy-Caradoc are welcome. “An event like Meet Strathroy-Caradoc plays a vital role in con- necting residents with the people, services, and organizations that shape our community,” Kait adds. “It’s an opportunity to share information, spark conversations, and build relationships that strengthen community engagement and help everyone feel more informed and included.” For more information about the event or how to participate as a business or community group, email Kait at ktopham@strathroy-caradoc.ca.
While she had knitted since she was a child, when Anne started experiencing thumb pain, her daughter suggested trying amigu- rumi (ah-mee-guh-roo-mee), a style of crocheting three-dimen- sional items like animals, objects, and dolls that became popular in Japan in the early 2000s. “I began with simple online patterns. Luckily, they turned out sur- prisingly well, so I kept going,” says Anne. Since her creations are generally for children, she uses acrylic yarn for easy washing and incorporates cute, quirky elements, like large round eyes, to give each stuffed creation a unique personality. For inspiration, Anne leans into her 40 years of experience work- ing with children to focus on what she thinks will appeal to them, such as bright colours, cuteness, play value, and cuddle-abili-
Getting to Know Each Other Curious about what the Strathroy-Caradoc area has to offer, or where to find a service you need? The Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc invites you to Meet Strathroy-Caradoc, where you can visit with municipal staff, Council members, community groups, and local employers to ask questions and discover all that the community has to offer. This inaugural meet-and-greet will take place at the Caradoc Community Centre, 565 Lions Park Drive, Mount Brydges, on Wednesday, October 15, from 5 pm to 9 pm. Meet Strathroy-Caradoc will give community members from Strathroy-Caradoc and surrounding areas the opportunity to get to know the municipality better. “It’s a way to bridge a gap in communication and get people face to face with what the mu- nicipality as a whole has to offer,” explains Kait Topham, Events & Booking Coordinator.
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Hometown Strathroy-Caradoc October 2025
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