No Head Uncovered - Omaha's Premie Hat Angel

Among our richest experiences at String of Purls are the stories that dawn our doors. The knitting community here is made up of people walking through life in all its happiness, sadness, even comedy. Each day we see the many ways knitting touches lives. It might be a knitter visiting from far away whose spouse is going through a mediical treatment, a mother and daughter taking time to be together, a busy executive dropping by to momentarily escape the office (we won't tell....)

We have to share one special story. Last week our friend Madeline and her daughter stopped by to find a soft baby yarn. Madeline explained that she donates premie hats to Omaha's Bergan Mercy Hospital. I asked Madeline how long she had been making her hats. In an energetic voice she said that she had been knitting since she was 12, is now in her 80's, and began doing premie hats in 1993. This begged the question, "How many hats do you think you have made"? With a little encouragement from her daughter, Madeline said, "oh, 4000 or so". Amazing!

Madeline spends about two and a half hours per hat. (A grand total of 9500 hours!) No two hats are alike and each season she works in holiday themes.

Most touching of all are the small, small hats she makes for the families of the children who pass. "That way the grieving parents have something to take home with them at a very sad time".

Madeline says she knits the hats to "give back" for the close brushes she has had with her health as a child and adult. So many are the beneficiaries of Madeline's gratitude. Madeline, our hats are off to you!