Anchorage Daily News

Thanksgiving time means that we get to take a moment to reflect on those things we are grateful for. It's a celebration of abundance for how much we have, and it's a holiday of remembrance for those early Americans who thankfully celebrated the bounty of their harvest.

Abundance means different things to each American, depending on their circumstances.

Most Alaska knitters can be sure that their families and friends will face the cold Alaska winter with plenty of warm knitted mittens, hats, scarves and sweaters. Not only do these talented knitters have an abundance of stashed yarn, they joyfully give their knitted or crocheted handwork away. That's real abundance.

These knitters have plenty of yarn to work with, piles of warm winter clothing to give away and many friends and family members to enjoy the bounty. But abundance to some Alaskans is often just one more item on their "wish" list.

In Anchorage there are many people of all ages, different incomes and from all walks of life who, through difficult circumstances, find themselves without the warm outer wear that we may take for granted. This is especially true just now. Economic challenges, domestic abuse, migration to urban areas and health concerns are contributing to some of the highest numbers of needy Alaskans the social agencies have seen. The strain has depleted the supplies necessary to assure that our neighbors are going to be well-fed and warm this winter. There are certainly lots of ways your knit and crocheted items can make a difference in our community this holiday season.

Covenant House, founded in 1968 by Franciscan monks in New York City, has become a sanctuary for homeless teens, ages 13 to 20, throughout North and Central America. Covenant House of Alaska was established in 1988. This 40-bed shelter is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and serves a variety of needs: medical, counseling, job training and referral, feeding, educational support and phone or message center access.

You can reach out to make the lives of these young Alaskans a bit better by providing warm winter clothing or donations. This is a wonderful time to use your stash yarn, to try out another cute hat or mitten pattern, or even to recycle that freshly washed and mended, outgrown winter jacket and boots. I love the idea of providing a backpack filled with toiletries, socks, a hair brush or comb, shampoo and other items that teens can use.

The Stork Project at Providence Family Medicine Center has provided newborn layettes to many Alaskans this past year, and the number of layettes on hand is getting low. Knitters and crocheters throughout the area have enjoyed making cute little baby things, and I can assure you that these newborn garments have been very much appreciated. There are lots of wonderful patterns for baby things just waiting for you to try, so think about contributing a cute and colorful baby set to this ongoing charity project.

Of course, there are more places to donate your handwork, and you can find out how to make your abundance of knitting and crocheting warm another by checking with your local schools, churches and the Salvation Army or United Way for a list of needed clothing items. You can easily translate that list into something to knit or crochet. In fact, you won't even have to worry about whether or not it fits, and the color is sure to please someone who will enjoy just having warm hands.

This holiday weekend you can learn what true abundance means. Pop in a good movie, sit back and stitch away.

Catherine Hollingsworth, interior designer, artist and professional knitwear designer, has lived in Alaska for 18 years. She is interim president of the Alaska State Yarn Council and past president of Knitters of the North. To reach her, e-mail twosticks@adnmail.com.

Covenant House Alaska

609 F St.

Anchorage

272-1255

for more information visit

www.covenanthouse.org

Stork Project

Attention: Marcia Baranow, Maternal Health Coordinator

Providence Family Practice Center

1201 E. 36th Ave.

Anchorage, 99508

Donations may be left at the front desk during regular business hours.

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