'It's nice to know you can do something': Senior crafters donate thousands of handmade items

A group of knitters, crocheters and sewists in the capital region is as busy as Santa's workshop at this time of year.

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Several times a month, the Craft for YEG group, which in total boasts some 1,800 members, meets in Edmonton or Sherwood Park to work on their projects together.

Over three-and-a-half years, the group has made and donated some 44,000 items to Edmonton-area charities: children's clothes, shawls for chemotherapy patients, baby blankets, adult winter items, dishcloths and more.

"Especially (in) this day when the world has gone all upside down and you see that people are struggling, it's nice to know you can do something," said member Judy McPherson.

On Wednesday, about 15 crafters met at the WeSeniors facility in Sherwood Park to prepare the next batch of donations, due to be delivered by volunteer elves next week to about 30 different organizations. Founder Dianne Bray estimated the hand-crafted donations will total between 4,000 and 5,000.

"It is quite a mindful activity, so you really get in the zone. You focus on what you're doing, rather than worrying about everything around you. I think it's that sense of achievement.

"It's also a very tactile activity so it just feels good to be doing something with your hands," she said.

As they worked on mittens, blankets and hats, the women told CTV News Edmonton why they prefer to work together as a group when their work can be done at home.

"If I stay at home to knit, I feel a bit guilty just sitting doing nothing, you know?" Julia Hamlyn said, adding, "I'm a very basic knitter and I can always ask these ladies who are much better, for the most part, than I am how to do this or get ideas."

"This is a wonderful group of ladies," longtime member Susan Speichert told CTV News Edmonton. "We talk about all kinds of things. So it's good for the heart, it's good for the mind, and it's also really good for the charities that we support."

McPherson added, "The camaraderie is awesome. The fact that I can do what I love to do and it's going to somebody in need, that just makes my day."

Craft for YEG meets on alternating days of the week in west Edmonton.

Bray said it is always welcoming members who want to learn more or sign up through Facebook.

"Just the fact that we're still able to do something we enjoy doing, but able to contribute back to society and yet develop friendships and have fun in the same process."

For those less mobile, Craft for YEG also collects donated materials so crafters can make items for donation at home.

With files from CTV News Edmonton's Miriam Valdes-Carletti