Stitches of Hope: Want to join in? You can!

SE: Kayleen, yesterday we visited with you about your writing journey. In that interview I discovered something else that I find fascinating. In your book, Taylor is described as "thinking of others". But I think the same could be said of you. Can you share a little bit about "Stitches of Hope"?

KR: Last winter a friend encouraged me to learn how to crochet. She loved making items for others. I had not done anything “crafty” for 30 years but had at one time knitted many items. So, last winter, I taught myself to crochet from a Dummies book at the library. During the summer, my same friend, Marissa Whitesell, found a website for a national organization called Head Huggers. They provide caps for people who lose hair due to cancer, burns, or other illness.

We rounded up all of the volunteers we could find who wanted to help us and picked out a name. I wrote a couple of newspaper articles for local publications and Marissa put together a great website: http://www.StitchesofHope.com.

Since July 2008, we’ve created and distributed 400 items, including caps, scarves, blankets, turbans to area hospitals and medical centers. The colorful and well-made caps are clean, soft, beautiful, and comfortable. Patients have told us they keep warm at night by wearing the caps. They also like wearing them as alternatives to wigs. It is so exciting to help people feel better physically and emotionally. We may not always be able to put a lot of money towards someone who needs help, but at night when I shut off my laptop and pick up my crochet hook and yarn to watch TV, I don't feel guilty because I know someone will get good use out of my effort. At this time we’re making caps, scarves for needy kids for Christmas, as well as soldiers, to show our support of our military.

SE: Thank you for the beautiful hand-knitted cap you sent to me. It's beautiful! How can others start this same type of ministry in their area?

KR: Check out our website for ideas of what to do and to access links to other organizations that help people.

People can mail the completed caps to us or contact us with questions or to donate financially. We’re all volunteers and all of the items are given away at no charge. All of the money we’ve been given as donations goes into buying yarn and other supplies. We’re thrilled God can use our talents in this way. It’s also been a blessing to meet other people through our crafting.

SE: What is the goal of Stitches of Hope?

KR: We want to provide clean well-made caps and scarves to medical institutions that can use them to distribute free of charge to patients who lose hair. We are based in the Midwest but are willing to mail caps to any state. Medical facilities should contact us for more information.

SE: How many volunteers help with Stitches of Hope and how many caps have you distributed in your first six months?

KR: We’ve now got approximately 50 volunteers in our area working on blankets (we give these to a local Project Linus group); caps, scarves. We’ve not met all of them – some mail their completed items to us or drop them off at a local quilt shop.

SE: Okay, my friends know I'm craft-challenged. How experienced in crochet, sewing, or knitting does an individual have to be to help with Stitches of Hope?

KR: Beginners are welcome. I follow a simple pattern for the 100 or so caps I’ve made. It’s double crochet. Others in our group make lovely variations. It’s an easy skill to pick up.

SE: Who can join?

KR: Anyone can join with us through our website: www.StitchesofHope.com. We look forward to hearing from people!