Each time mission groups are about to travel or missionaries get ready to return to their assignments, they are loaded with items to stuff into their bulging backpacks and extra suitcases.
Many of the items are necessities, such as medicines, bandages, soap or toothbrushes. Often, these things are requested by their destination schools, churches or other places that host the groups. But also included, no matter which group you contact, are knitted items.
You find knitted lap robes, shawls, hats, mittens and much more. Even small knitted dolls for children are included. Who makes all these made-with-love items? It turns out, there are several knitting groups in the area, and they all include some work for charities.
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in State College boasts many knitters. One group meets on the third Tuesday of the month from 1 to 3 p.m., and consists of 12 members. The other group meets in the evening and has six members.
Over the years, the knitters at St. Paul have sent baby sweaters to United Methodist Council of Relief, shawls to Nicaragua and hats and gloves to the Neighborhood Center in Harrisburg. The Urukundo Children’s Home in Rwanda has received knitted dolls from the St. Paul groups. And, the afternoon knitting circle constructs prayer shawls, scarves and other items that go out with mission groups overseas and to Red Bud Mission in North Dakota.
Sometimes, knitted items are placed in a church auction and the money received is used for mission projects.
Knitivism at Penn State is a “‘tight-knit club of passionate crafters who use our skills to benefit the world around us,” according to the group’s website, www.sites.psu.edu/knitivism/
The group has people who have knitted for a long time and beginners who are learning through with the help of more-experienced club members. Some people cross-stitch, embroider, loom knit and make lace.
The goods the group makes are donated, or sold for funds to be donated to a cause the crafters have chosen.
Knitivism reported on its Facebook page that halfway through the semester, members had already completed 18 scarves, weighing in at 8 pounds of yarn. The scarves were donated this month to Threads of Compassion for victims of sexual assault.
Knitivism’s president, Emmy Demchak, said in a phone interview that the scarf count was 36 in the end. She is a junior at Penn State and has been a member of Knitivism for two years. Her major is forensic science, and she said she finds the knitting a relaxing and rewarding activity.
Fifteen people are regularly active in the Knitivism group.
A group from Bellefonte who refer to themselves as “Knotty Knitters” finished many pairs of baby hats for the birthing center at the Urukundo Home in Rwanda. They were delivered last March.
St. Andrews Episcopal Church also has had an active knitting group for many years. They have knitted for Knitting4Peace, a network of volunteers armed with ‘the power of prayer, crochet hooks and knitting needles.’ They have been dedicated to ‘knitting together the global community by delivering hope, healing and peace to women, children and families in areas of marginalization and conflict close to home and around the world.’
Submitted photo
Penn State Knitivism president Emmy Demchak, left, and secretary Beth Ann Eberle, right, are shown with other group members. The knitters use their skills to help those in need.
