The Mad Hatters

Last year, I started a little knitting group at church. I'd had a few people ask me to teach them to knit, and I figured it would be a fun endeavor. It has been. This autumn, we started a little project of knitting hats to give away to anyone in he community who wanted/needed them.

With the help of some generous knitters and crocheters, we complied 20 hats of various shapes and sizes. Look at this wonderful pile of hand-knit hats!

Last Monday, the Clothes Closet at church was set for its regular evening hours, and I decided to bring the hats over to hand out to folks who might want one.

Do you know that 17 of the 20 hats found a home that night?! I was lucky enough to be there to see several people choose a new hat. One man went home with a new black hat (knit by the lovely Lynn Ayers) and asked me to pass on thanks to the group for doing such a nice thing. I also watched a little boy (probably Ben's age or so), walk away with a new orange hat, smiling from ear to ear.

So, we knitters and crocheters are back at it again. I have 4 new hats waiting for the next round. My hope (and the original plan) is to hang the hats up outside on the fence by the playground, with attached tags inviting members of the community to go ahead and take a hat.

I know some folks are concerned that the hats will go to the "right" people.... people who deserve a handknit hat. People who need a handknit hat. Here is the thing... I have no intent to make sure that the hats go to certain people. That's not what it's about. Will some people take a hat that don't need one? Yep. Will some people take a hat and then never use it again? You bet. Don't care. The hats are there for the taking. God's love, spread through handknits.

So, if you live in Roanoke and need a hat - come on by the church!
If you knit/crochet/sew and want to donate some hats, drop them off or send them to the church, c/o Jennifer Armentrout.
If you don't knit but have some old/unwanted yarn sitting around, we'll gladly take that as well.  :)