The leader of a wildly-popular knitting group based out of Ladner has moved to Harrison Hot Springs, and her need to knit has come with her.
Alice Gisborne started the Knitting Sisters almost six years ago, with the aim of knitting and crocheting items that would then be given to those in need of comfort. And it was an instant success.
At times, the Knitting Sisters are gathering 300 hats, toques, scarves, mittens, blankets, and knitted toys each month. Every item, carefully completed by a loving set of hands.
Those bundles of love are then sent off to groups like the Easter Seal House, cancer clinics, B.C. Children's Hospital, maternity wards, safe houses, and everywhere else there are people needing some comfort.
Now, Gisborne is hoping to create a satellite group of Knitting Sisters in Harrison that would serve the local area.
"I would like to extend an arm out here," she said. "A lot of people knit and crochet, and some of them just need something to knit for."
Being a part of the group has shown Gisborne the importance of reaching out to others in the community.
"It's made such a difference in my life," she said. "It made me feel like I made a difference. And this is not just about myself. I can see the difference in the people that get the items."
Seeing someone receive a hand-knit blanket is a heartwarming experience, she said.
"It really brings tears to your eyes, especially when you're giving to cancer patients," she added.
While Gisborne and her husband have only been living in Harrison permanently for about six months, they have been living there part time for about three years.
"We love it here," she said.
She is currently arranging for a time for knitters to get together in Memorial Hall. Anyone interested in joining such a group, or anyone in charge of a local organization that would like to regularly receive hand-made items, can call her at 604-796-3060 or email agisborne@shaw.ca.
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