Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Red Scarves for Heart Health



I enjoy keeping my hands busy while talking with family or watching a movie. (If my hands are full of a craft, I can’t fill them with food. ) Unfortunately, I’m not very good at reading a crochet pattern. (Which is weird, because I read to learn everything else.) Consequently, when learning a new pattern, I make a scarf. I have so many crocheted scarves, I’m sick of them. But I really need to keep crocheting to keep from gaining any (more) weight. What’s a girl to do?

I tried to make baby afghans, thinking to donate them to a crisis pregnancy center, but  remember how I can’t read patterns? I refuse to show you a picture of my one attempt at a baby afghan.

My husband, who works at a hospital, found me the perfect opportunity to make my scarves and bless someone else in the process. WomenHeart, The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease, provides local support for women living with heart disease. Local chapters deliver handmade red scarves, along with the WomenHeart “Red Bag of Courage” to women in hospitals throughout the country. The scarf and the packet of information remind women that they’re not alone in dealing with their illness.

The yarn must be any shade of red, and the scarf should be 4-5 inches wide and between 50-70 inches long. That’s it. It can be any pattern you choose. (What a terrific way to learn new patterns.)


This would be a great way to introduce knitting or crocheting to a daughter or granddaughter. Fun. Easy. Heartwarming. (No pun intended.)

Any other ideas for ways to bless others through easy crocheted or knitted projects?

~Lora Young






9 comments:

  1. Full disclosure; I'm Lora's husband *and* the one that gets the blessing of delivering her crocheted efforts to the hospital where I work. One of the volunteers that made use of two of Lora's scarves offered that she "visited patients yesterday...and gave them with the WomenHeart Red Bags of Courage to two ladies that are in the hospital for heart issues. Both these ladies commented that they loved the sparkly yarn. Your scarves made these ladies feel comforted and special." What a wonderful comment, and what a wonderful thing to be able to help someone "feel comforted and special!" It overjoys me every time I see my wife talking with my daughter and crocheting a scarf, or sipping her tea (Twining Irish Breakfast with milk and a hint of honey) and crocheting a scarf. I know that soon another woman will "feel comforted and special."

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    1. What a wonderful idea to not only learn, but share with others. Thanks for being so willing to create something for others, and thanks to you, too, Lora's hubby, for playing delivery man.

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    2. Lora, I've always wanted to learn to knit . . . what a great idea!

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    3. Thanks, Bill. It's a blessing to me to be able to crochet to my heart's content and be creating something useful at the same time.

      It's a worthy cause, Heidi. The scarf usually takes only one skein of yarn. Catch it on sale, and it's very inexpensive and fun.

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  2. I don't knit but I so admire those that do. Keep up the good work!

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    1. Thanks, Melanie. I think crocheting is easier than knitting. I admire anyone who can make something more intricate than a scarf or throw.

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  3. What a wonderful idea! I know someone who makes lap blankets for nursing homes. Thanks for sharing, Lora!

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    1. Making lap blankets is a great idea too--especially if it's made with love and compassion. Thanks, Crystal.

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  4. Lora, what a great idea! At my church we have Stitches of Love and make scarves, chemo hats, booties, prayer shawls...that sort of thing...for anyone who needs it.

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