By Ti’Anna Davis
Knitting is more than just a hobby. It is more than just a person sitting in a chair with a ball of yarn in their lap for hours at a time creating stitches with two needles to make a soft, plush blanket for someone who needs it. It takes time and patience to count the number of stitches, the colors and design to create just a hat, a scarf or gloves.
Ever since Maria Brennan was a teenager, she had a love for knitting. Growing up in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Brennan started knitting sweaters and blankets for herself and others. She taught herself by watching YouTube videos and reading books.
Decades later and now living in New Port Richey, Florida, Brennan continues to knit. She decided to create a non-profit knitting group with close friends from church who are also Brazilian. It’s called Knitting with Purpose, also known as Tricotando com Proposito in Portuguese.
Once a month, Brennan and nine of her friends come together at her home to discuss the next knitting project.
“We determine our projects in the beginning of the year,” said Brennan. “[We] usually work with three projects. Last year we did some clothes for babies from single moms. Then we did hats for cancer. For Women with cancer. And then blankets for veterans. Really old veterans who live in foster houses.”
This year, they want to do more than knitting for homeless people.
“For the homeless, we will fill these bags with as many products as we can,” said Brennan. “Even underwear if possible.”
Even though these projects can take months to do, Brennan never feels discouraged.
“I think it’s easy for us to do this group because we do things that we love. So, I think it’s easy to help people,” said Brennan.
Brennan, a retired English teacher, adores kids and knitting for single moms has always had a place in her heart. She recalled a moment when she was able to see a mother’s reaction in person.
“We gave directly to her our basket and she was so emotional. And she cried and we cried,” said Brennan.
According to a study from researchers in Public Health, volunteers have shown to experience more positive emotions, stress relief and better psychological well-being than non-volunteers. There are many positive health benefits for knitting with a group.
The group continues to work on projects for people in the community, but Brennan hopes to expand.
“I would like it to be really big,” said Brennan. “That we have thousands of vans just going around the country giving things to homeless to veterans to kids to everybody.”
