‘I get way more joy in giving to others’
Crafters find little ways to share acts of kindness
When Mari-Lynn Taylor bought a lovely piece of fabric printed with birds in New York, she decided to hold onto it for a special project.
She knew very early into the pandemic just what that project would be.
“I figured a medical mask, in these unprecedented times, was pretty special,” Taylor said.
Since making her prototype, Taylor has made more than 400 masks, giving them away to family, friends and people in her community.
Taylor works for Choices for Youth in St. John's, N.L. as manager of retail and production. The organization provides programs and services to at-risk youth. Taylor gave about 200 of her face coverings to Choices for Youth (CFY) staff, youth trainees and others enrolled in CFY programs.
IN THE BEGINNING
Working from home, Taylor started making masks on the floor of her closet. The project eventually spread into her kitchen. Thanks to a neighbour who had to close her fabric store because of the pandemic, Taylor continued buying some of her neighbour’s fabric.
Trainees were also taught to make face masks, she said.
“Sewing has been a big part of our production business (these) past two years. It’s a skill that’s dying out ... and a valuable skill for our trainees.”
A successful entrepreneur and skilled sewer, Taylor felt good about making and sharing the masks which, initially, weren’t readily available in stores.
“I genuinely look forward to coming to work. It’s always nice to receive but I get way more joy in giving to others.”
ACTS OF KINDNESS
Members of a Facebook group called Random Acts of Crochet Kindness (RAOCK) Canada are sharing kindness with strangers throughout the year.
Vanya Beck of Lower Nicola, B.C., was instrumental in establishing the group, which stems from a similar group that started in the United Kingdom in 2019.
Group members crochet tiny tokens – from bears to butterflies, bookmarks to baby octopus, worry worms to wind spinners – and place the items throughout their communities for others to find and take home. Some crafters are even crocheting mats for people who are homeless and dropping them off at their local shelter.
For many of the crafters, it’s about much more than a hook and piece of yarn.
One woman recently posted in the group how she’s been struggling with anxiety. Crocheting worry worms to bless others has brought her great joy, she wrote.
Another woman posted a photo of a handicraft she found at her door. She thanked the anonymous person for their kindness.
Mary St. Amand is from New Glasgow, N.S. but lives on the South Shore, near Chester, N.S. She joined the Canadian crochet group in late 2021 and said she’s enjoying the positive nature of the posts. The group has rekindled her interest in crochet, she said, a skill she learned in university.
“I did most crafts and taught crafts to kids, seniors and in a sheltered workshop. I even taught myself to crochet, at that time left-handed, so a left-handed lady client who couldn’t verbalize could learn by watching me and learn to crochet,” she recalled.
St. Amand was unable to craft or crochet for some time due to illness, however, and is happy to be back at it again, giving away most of what she creates. While in hospital, she donated tiny hats she’d made to the nursery. She's now started crocheting worry worms and hearts which will also be given away to brighten people’s day. Many people who leave worry worms for others to find attach an encouraging poem to their handicraft.
KINDNESS FROM OTHERS
While she gets pleasure from donating her handicrafts, St. Amand has also been on the receiving end of many gifts of kindness.
“Recent times they came from a wonderfully kind neighbour who was always there and provided very unexpected and tremendously appreciated assistance,” she said.
Her neighbour recently moved but still keeps in touch.
“Remember, acts of kindness are as simple as brightening a day by phoning someone,” she said.
TRY MAKING THIS CRAFT
Here’s how to crochet a worry worm with any yarn and hook size - Chain 30.
• Slip Stitch into the second chain from your hook, then place four single crochet stitches into each of the chains until you have one chain remaining.
• Into the very last chain, work 10 double crochet stitches.
• Slip Stitch into the same chain, chain one, cut your yarn and pull it through the chain you just made.
• Weave in ends.
• Use self-adhesive googly eyes or embroider them using black yarn.