Comforts from crafters

Comforting Crafters Photo: Times photo by Cherri Crockett

Carol G. and Mary F. are seen here with various items crocheted and knit by them and their third crafter, Louwanna T. All three ladies take advantage of various programs offered by the Hope Association and enjoy providing comfort through their talents to the local hospital, nursing home and family members.

RUMFORD- Have you been blessed with a special talent and want nothing more than to help others by sharing that talent? You are not alone, Carol G. and Mary F. are just like you, in that, they have learned to crochet and knit throughout their years and all they want in return is to share their creations to comfort others.

Carol was taught as a child to crochet by her grandmother and enjoys working with red and blue yarn, while Mary was taught to knit many years later during a weekly visit to Louise Smith and prefers working with navy blue.

When asked what keeps each of them focused on their particular creation, Carol noted, “It's very pleasant for me to know I'm doing it for other people, so that makes me feel good.”

Mary added, “I like to make my blankets for babies. I really like babies and they need to stay warm.”

Both ladies have knit and crocheted items that have been donated to Rumford Hospital. The most recent of their items being a pair of slippers made by Carol for her brother Bill and a scarf Mary worked on for a friend.
Carol noted, “I make a lot of blankets for people in wheelchairs or ones that are sick. They like them on their lap.”

Carol and Mary were asked when they found time to work on their projects and if their friends and family supported their efforts.

“My family is very supportive of me,” stated Carol. “I love them very much and it makes me very happy that my brother supports me. I usually work on my stuff before program begins.”

Mary added that she does most of her knitting before program starts in the morning and likes to “work on it at home, too. My family makes me feel wonderful for doing such a good job. It makes me feel good to make people feel good.”

All of the yarn Carol and Mary use comes from donations through the What Not Shop. For anyone who has yarn that they don't plan to use, they can drop it by the What Not Shop and help Mary and Carol continue to make people happy through their talents.