Hooked on hats
Avera Marshall Foundation Baby Hat/Blanket project gets under way, and there are plenty of helpers are donating their time to make it a success.By Jodelle Greiner
Article Photos
MARSHALL - Crafters took up hooks and needles on Sunday to keep newborns warm when the Purple Iris Yarn Shop and Fabrics Plus kicked off the Third Annual Avera Marshall Foundation Baby Hat/Blanket Project.
"We've had over 70 people saying they'd participate," said Janna Milbradt, owner of the Purple Iris Yarn Shop, as about half a dozen gathered in the Iris to knit and crochet Sunday.
Tracy Veglahn, co-owner of Fabrics Plus, said people were stopping by and taking the supplies home to work on the 30-by-30 fleece blankets, which can be tied, bound, or crocheted around the edge, "whatever you prefer," she said.
"We give them the supplies and instructions," she said. "They contribute their time; that's their investment."
"It's a five-week push from now until March 15 to get as many done as we can," said Milbradt.
She said people knit and crochet baby items all year long, but "it's a good time of the year to do this; people are looking for stuff to do after Christmas. We thought Super Bowl Sunday would be a good day to kick it off."
"I like to knit," said Karen Cole. "I think it's fun and it's neat to see the newborn babies have something special and cuddly."
"I love babies and they need to have warm hats," said Christine Lehman. "It's a good community event to have Avera get their hats and blankets for the babies. How cool is that? Every baby born in the hospital here gets a hat and blanket."
James Hill had two reasons for helping out.
"Partly because I love babies and partly because I'm a registered nurse," he said, while knitting. "I'm involved in supporting the hospital."
Cole, Lehman and Hill all planned to go to Super Bowl parties later in the day, but none planned to do much game watching.
"We talk a lot," Hill said. "We'll all be working on something."
For more information, call the Purple Iris at 507-337-4747 or Fabrics Plus 537-0835.
