For three years, Team Yarn-Head Huggers has been honoring people battling cancer by gifting beautiful handmade hats, shawls and lapghans.
The group was begun by Amy (Slater) Pass and Tesha Christensen Pettit in 2012 in honor of Amy’s mother, former Isanti resident Cheryl Slater, and the brave battle she fought with a rare and aggressive form of skin cancer. Both Pass and Pettit now live in Minneapolis, but grew up in Isanti County.
“Our group continues to receive feedback on the quality of our items, and the care that clearly goes into each piece,” Pass said. “Thanks to every single one of you for generously giving of your time, energy and creativity to make Team Yarn more than successful. We have more to be proud of than just numbers. From Christmas hats and big fluffy blankets tied up with bows to hats with scarves and flowers and pretty little ribbons, this group honors people by gifting things we would want to receive ourselves.”
Team Yarn donated to nine different facilities in 2015: Cambridge Hospital Harbor Room, Ronald McDonald House in Minneapolis, Minnesota Oncology in Minneapolis, Fairview Riverside NICU, University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital, St. John’s Hospital, Woodwinds Cancer Care Center, the VA Medical Center and Minneapolis Children’s Hospital.
In addition, Team Yarn contributed hats to the Alissa M. Haines Stomp Out Suicide 5K silent auction in Wyoming, Minn.
“This was especially timely and poignant, as one of our group members knitted several hats in grief and in remembrance of her neighbor and friend, who committed suicide,” Pass said. “We have a number of group members who participated in the 5K this year and in past years.”
She added, “We gave away hats, blankets, and shawls to at least six individuals this year, known to our group or friends of our group, including one special little boy from Israel, whom we had the privilege of meeting at the U of M Masonic Children’s Hospital.”
All told, Team Yarn members made 558 items in 2015.
“We passed the milestone of 2,000 items since our beginning, and we’ve reached a grand total 2,154,” Pass said. “Give yourselves a giant pat on the back.”
The top five handmade item contributors in 2015 were: Sandra Slater of Ramsey with 168, Linda Moore of Fridley with 95, Bernice Foster of Amery, Wis. with 80, Lorraine Herges of Cambridge with 47, and Tesha Christensen Pettit of Minneapolis with 26. Most of the items made by group members were from yarn that had been donated.
“I am amazed by the dedication of this group,” Pass said. “We are three years in and still going strong. The member list jumped from 70 to 84 this year, meaning that 14 new people contributed to the group in one way or another in 2015. Keep spreading the word.”
Christensen Pettit thanked Century 21 for faithfully serving as a drop-site for Team Yarn since the beginning.
“We are so grateful that Century 21 provides a local site for Isanti County residents to drop off items,” said Christensen Pettit, “as we have many connections in the area. It’s so wonderful to pick up a package from Cambridge and know that we have dedicated volunteers in the area.”
To get involved, drop off items during the monthly meet-up on the third Sunday of every month, 1-3 p.m., at Silverwood Park in Minneapolis, Minn. Or, use the Cambridge drop site at Century 21-Moline Realty, 202 Main St. S., Cambridge.
For more information or to send a donation, email amyinthewind@gmail.com. Be sure to stay updated by browsing http://teamyarn.blogspot.com or visit the group’s Facebook page.