FARGO - Knitters from near and far picked up their needles to help Fargo's Boucle Yarn Studio donate 154 "chemo caps" to Sanford's Roger Maris Cancer Center here.
Boucle owner Sue Kuhn put the call out this summer for 61 hats - the number of homeruns Maris hit in 1961 to break Babe Ruth's record - to the Fargo store's 2,000 monthly newsletter subscribers.
The caps, which will be donated this week as part of the "61 for 61" event, started rolling in within days, Kuhn said.
"Knitters really love to knit, and there's something very satisfying just about knowing someone's going to appreciate and love something that they have made," she said.
Knitters were asked to use soft natural fibers and make hats of all styles and sizes.
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Kuhn made three caps, including a soft, yellow cotton hat sized for a child. Another knitter called in some Minnesota Vikings purple and gold to appeal to male patients.
"I know that it's a sad situation, but I think it would be something to brighten their day," said Boucle manager Tina Van Hoecke, who made two caps.
A knitting club from Georgia sent in donations and other caps arrived solo, but Doris Bruesch of Wahpeton out-stitched everyone.
Bruesch, a 50-year knitting veteran, made 20 caps after finding out about the benefit at a Sanford clinic in Wahpeton. Though she doesn't time her work, Bruesch estimates about 100 hours of work went into the hats.
"It's relaxing, and it's a way for me to use my time to know that I'm doing something for someone else," Bruesch said.
Boucle has participated in a number of knit-for-a-cause events, including making prayer shawls and helmet liners for deployed soldiers. And it's a good match for the craft, Kuhn said.
"You get too many sweaters, and your kids outgrow their stuff and don't want any more," she said. "You kind of put your knitting energy toward the charities."
Kuhn will present the chemo caps Friday on Fox 107.9's radio broadcast for "61 for 61."
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Area knitters can get their needles going for Boucle's December benefit, a mitten, hat and scarf tree that will go to Churches United and other local charities, Kuhn said. For information on how to help, call (701) 356-9276.
If you go
What: "61 for 61" benefit for Roger Maris Cancer Center silent auction and donations hotline
- When: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and Friday
- Where: Listen to Fox 107.9 radio or call (701) 478-6161
- Info: For information on more events, visit 61for61.sandfordhealth.org
Readers can reach Forum reporter Heidi Shaffer at (701) 241-5511
