A women’s knitting group in Windsor has risen to the call to help keep hands warm and ears covered ahead of the colder months. Rows of knitted wear covered tables at a local high-rise on Saturday as group members met to do an annual tally before donating. All in all, about 15 women collected 3,041 pieces, including knitted hats, scarves, mittens, head warmers, and donated jackets and socks. Different colours, sizes and patterns, the sets feature traits each uniquely done by one of the knitters. “Basically, it’s your donation to the city. So instead of writing a check at Christmas time for whatever organization. This is wool, but it’s purchased by the women or one of the committees,” explained Lynn Robertson. Robertson started the efforts in 2012 after she learned a new couple in her building regularly volunteered to cook meals for students. Surprised there was a need in Windsor, she and some friends found a different way to help the next generation. “So I went home, and I figured if they were hungry, they had to be cold,” she said. Over the years, demand only increased, and the group now provides to different schools each year, the Unemployed Help Centre of Windsor, and a local organization providing necessities to those experiencing homelessness. Each year, the number of women participating may vary based on availability or health. Some meet regularly to knit together, while others prefer some alone time. As a pastime to keep their minds sharp and their fingers busy, Robertson said members just want to give back to the community. “The giving, I have to say. That knowing you’re going to keep a kid warm, or a guy that’s lying on the floor, you’re going to keep him a little bit warmer,” Robertson said. Open to donations, the group finds a use for nearly every piece of yarn, and rarely ever turns down a request. This was the first year they attempted to make headbands, after learning there was a need in senior living buildings. “Call me. We’ll do something with it. Don’t turn anybody down. Anybody,” she added. When the group began, Robertson admits she only expected it to be for one year. Since then, they’ve annually donated an average of about 2,000 pieces to those in need. Their work has garnered pictures and letters from students and organizations as a reminder to keep going even when their fingers get sore. “We’ll keep doing it until we can’t anymore. I always said we’d run out of wool before we ever run out of kids,” Robertson said. On Monday, donations will head out the door to find some hands in need and a head left uncovered, but for the women trying to knit the need away, it’s back to work in preparation for next year.
