When you think of knitting what comes to mind?  Sitting around chatting, maybe rocking in front of a warm fireplace with the family pet nearby being lulled with the gentle clicks of needles?  What if you didn’t have a home to go to or even the means to keep yourself warm in the winter months?  A local woman wanted to help in a way she knew could bring that comfort back to some.

Pat Ricker a board member of the Friends of the Library and member of the Knitting Group had come up with a way to tie our community together while helping out people in need.  Warm Up America is an organization that came about in the 90’s to bring hand knitted or crocheted afghans to social agencies or people in need.  They look for people to make a “square” of knitted or crocheted yarn that measures 7 by 9 inches.  These can be in any shape or color of your choosing, which a fun punch of color can brighten anyone’s day.  An acrylic yarn is suggested but any machine washable yarn is accepted.  In your group you may chose to assemble your communities squares or pass them onto Warm Up America to be joined together to make a heartwarming blanket for those in need.

Spearheading the project, Ricker came up with the idea to have brochures available in the library for people that might not have the time to come to the monthly knitting meeting.  She collected over 300 squares for the project that she delivered onto Michael’s for collections within the area to pass on.  That is an incredible about of work that was done which will result in over 6 afghans.  It’s not only our neighbors in need; these afghans have been given out to Katrina victims, families whose homes have been destroyed by fire and even most recently, Superstorm Sandy.  WUP is also working in conjunction with the Ronald McDonald houses to give a little extra coziness to families staying away from home during treatments for their children at hospitals.

This project brought back wonderful memories of crocheting with my Gram many years ago, next time I will be dusting off the needles to join in.  If you weren’t able to participate this last time, you can send your own squares in or maybe Pat Ricker will be setting up another drive for them.  If you have the evening free, stop over to the Frankfort Public Library where Pat and others are on the first Tuesday night of the month from 7-8:30pm.  You may come as you are with a project in mind or with questions for the group.  They are always willing to lend a hand or a purl of wisdom, pun intended.