When Dana Getz had all the scarves she ever could want, she turned her craft into a kindness.
A few years after the McCandless resident perfected the most basic of knitting stitches, an idea struck: Why not collect handmade scarves and distribute them to those in need?
This year's KnitHope campaign started this week and will run through Oct. 15. Those who knit or crochet are invited to create a scarf and bring it to any of the three drop-off sites - the Northland Public Library in McCandless, the Avalon Public Library and Epworth United Methodist Church in Shaler Township.
To date, more than 700 scarves have been given to people through the Light of Life Rescue Mission and North Hills Community Outreach.
"I have a lot of friends and family," Getz, 36, said.
"They're not knitters, but they learned how."
Even her husband, Glen, created a scarf.
"It was a long process for him," she laughed.
At 6 years old, her daughter, Maia, is eager to learn, so she might help keep someone warm through her mother's project.
Through word of mouth, fliers and a website, www.knithope.org, hundreds of crafters have put their needles to good use.
"It's an easy project to do, and you're making a difference without it costing a lot of money," Dana Getz said.
The message that comes with every knit-purl motion is that people care enough to devote time and effort to create a gift for someone they never have met. Often, the crafter encloses a note of encouragement.
According to the website, recipients have included homebound senior citizens, the homeless in need of medical care, and previously homeless women and children in recovery programs and shelters.
Dana Getz said she chose to support the people of the Light of Life Mission first because of her deceased grandfather.
"He always had a soft spot for them, so I thought of them first in honor of my grandfather."
For the last few years, members of Tabitha's Circle at Epworth United Methodist Church have helped her share even more warmth.
The Northland Knitters "contributed a ton," she said.
"They're prolific. They're very involved."
Karen Nootbaar of McCandless and Jane Jubb of Franklin Park founded the twice-a-month crafting sessions at the Northland library. Nootbaar, a library assistant, and Jubb, adult services manager, often knit or crochet in the company of about 10 others.
For the last two years, the women have added KnitHope scarves to their own list of personal projects. They'll contribute to that organization again this year.
"You feel a little different making the scarves," Nootbaar said.
"You wonder, ‘Who will wear it? What is their life like?"
And, she asked, "how cool would it be to see a person wearing your scarf in downtown Pittsburgh?"
Included with Nootbaar's scarf was a prayer and a little note that read - "Each stitch is a wish for your good health."
To that, she signed her first name.
Age is no object to becoming involved in KnitHope. Members of a SilverSneakers exercise program for senior citizens once knitted patches that were stitched together for scarves. Dana Getz said she would love to see Girl Scouts and other groups of young people become participants.
"One of the nicest things is how everyone I meet is so receptive and eager to get involved," she said.
"It's heartwarming to me."
The joy in crafting has found new meaning for Getz and her knitters.
"This little thing is making a contribution to someone's life."
