The Village of Dabney resident met with other members of Abundance of Love bright and early on Sept. 12 — International Crochet Day — to work on their creations for the community and sew deeper bonds among one another.
“When you think of children who are cold in the wintertime and don’t have any heat in the house, you just want to cuddle them up with a nice blanket, some mittens and a hat to keep them cozy,” said Cole, who spent her Saturday crocheting a 3-by-3 blanket.
International Crochet Day honors the art form that originated in Europe during the 19th century and has influenced the four corners of the world.
While some members of crocheting clubs in The Villages — including Abundance of Love, Crochet Addicts and Crochet and Crafts — honored the holiday by reflecting on their love for crocheting, others worked on projects that would be donated to various organizations in the community.
Cole, leader of the Abundance of Love group at Everglades Recreation and board member for the nonprofit, organized Saturday’s meeting to give members time to work on projects including blankets, soap sacks, chemo caps, medical dolls and shawls.
About 150 members of Abundance of Love meet at four locations in The Villages to crochet, knit and sew items of comfort that are donated to more than 45 organizations, including hospitals, schools and charities, throughout Central Florida.
“I crochet probably about 30 hours a week,” Cole said. “So, it’s almost the same as a job. I usually pray for the person who is going to get whatever it is I’m making. Some members want to make things fast because they know there’s such a big need. Others just want to be very creative and take their time. We have very talented individuals and everyone is so involved.”
Similar to members of Abundance of Love, Nancy Hacker, of the Village of Charlotte, enjoys crocheting items she said she almost always gives away.
“You really don’t get bored,” she said. “This year, so far, I’ve made over 100 pairs of mittens for the kids in the Ocala National Forest to have for the winter. Last year, I made about 150 or more. I’ve done that the last couple of years. It’s nice to give to someone else who needs something.”
Hacker said she noticed from the beginning how functional and helpful crocheting can be.
“I sprained my ankle and had one of the old heavy plaster casts on my foot,” she said. “My toes were cold because it was December, so I crocheted a cap for my foot. After that, I ended up crocheting some for everyone in my family.”
Although her newfound passion faded as life’s everyday responsibilities took priority, Hacker returned to the hobby after moving to The Villages and joining the Crochet Addicts in 2015.
She now organizes the group’s meetings and enjoys spending her free time making useful items such as bags, hats and scarfs.
“There’s so many people here in The Villages who donate yarn to us,” she said. “Unfortunately, it’s when their spouse has passed away or they aren’t crocheting anymore because of their hands. It’s nice you don’t always have to spend a lot of money for us to do what we do because we give it all away.”
Hacker said crocheting also can be a stress reliever for the practitioner.
“My husband calls my group my ‘AA meeting,’” she said. “I think crocheting helps me mentally. It’s kind of like a game because you are following patterns and you have to keep up. Getting together with a group also helps because you are engaged in your social life.”
Members of the Crochet and Crafts club met 11 a.m. Sept. 11 at First Responders Recreation, the day before International Crochet Day, to socialize and work on projects together.
Kim Berg, of the Village of Calumet Grove, attended the meeting to work on a project she described as frustrating. Berg sat next to Robin Klein, also of the Village of Calumet Grove, as they both worked on their own shawls.
The pair agreed the soft fabric they were using made it difficult to crochet the material, but they were happy to work through it together as they shared tips and jokes.
“I’m a new crocheter and I didn’t know anything until I moved to The Villages,” Berg said. “I wanted to learn because my mother used to make dishcloths and I loved that.”
Crochet and Crafts members go beyond crafting. The social group gets together for weekly meetings and they meet for lunch at least once a month.
“They are such a nice group of women,” Berg said. “They are all very supportive and such great people.”
For more information about the various crochet clubs in The Villages, check The Villages Recreation & Parks publication in Thursday’s copy of The Villages Daily Sun.
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
