Year-round knitting group decorates city fences with handmade winter items 

A group consisting of knitting and crocheting enthusiasts hung up their winter item creations along fences across Edmonton for those in need this winter.

The group of knitters working tirelessly throughout the year to create hats, mittens and scarves for those in need this winter took to the city on Saturday to line their creations along fences.

Chase the Chill, a group headed by Brenda Ranson and her husband, was already organizing circles of knitting and crocheting enthusiasts back in July to prepare for the freezing Edmonton winter ahead.

On the first Saturday of December for the last 13 years, the group has been hanging warm winter goods up on fences around the city where those in need can grab them as needed.

“It’s a good day for us to be out doing this, because we get to see a little bit of how cold it is,” Ranson said on Saturday, adding that the items don’t often stay up long once they’re available.

Ranson and a team of volunteers often hit regular places like Jasper Place or Norwood, where their work is often gone by the end of the week.

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“When they’re gone, they’re gone, and we don’t know what happens to them.”

This year, the group collectively made around 1,500 pieces of warm winter gear.

Krista Yaskiw was also out on Saturday helping to hang up items. She’s been knitting for the cause since last Christmas.

“I really like knitting, and I don’t need anymore hats, so it’s better to give to other people who do need them,” she said.

“All of this just goes to a better cause … it’s pretty beautiful.”

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Galen McDougall