Robin Celli

I taught myself how to knit in 2009 and haven’t looked back.  I live in Delaware with my wonderful husband, fantastic son and my spectacular Miniature Schnauzer, Schnapps.  Schnapps loves that I knit so much now - it gives him more time to snuggle close and nap. My husband and son are great about overlooking how the yarn stash is taking over the house.

While looking into a charity that I could help with my new skill, I was asked if I would start a local chapter of Head Huggers, the amazing charity started by Sue Thompson.  So, Delaware Head Huggers began in December of 2009 and in the first 18 months, we collected and shipped out more than 4,800 handmade hats and caps. We send to patients, both adult and children, in hospitals, cancer centers and even to individuals.

While starting Delaware Head Huggers, a wonderful lady called me and told me that in Massachusetts, there was a group who collected handmade blankets for foster care children.  She wanted to know if there was such a group in Delaware. So, I looked into it and sure enough, there was no such group. So, I contacted the state social service department and Kozy Kovers for Kids was born in January of 2010.  We have collected over 470 blankets in our first 18 months.  Those gorgeous afghans, blankets and quilts have gone to foster care agencies in Delaware and Maryland as well as to the State Police to take on domestic calls where children may be involved and to hospital emergency departments for children who are victims of abuse or neglect.

Who knew knitting could do so much?!  I have met so many wonderful people since starting these charities and continue to do so every day. I’m trying out new skills all the time and have even bungled my way into coming up with a couple of patterns. Now if only I had the skills to knit everything I’d like to knit.

Links:

Delaware Head Huggers
Kozy Kovers for Kids
Knitting with Schnapps

Projects on AllFreeKnitting

Tulle-riffic Hat
Lucky Dots Hat
Springtime Slouch Hat
Stylish Tiles Hat
Cobblestone Hat
Leggo My Eggo Hat
Happy Hat
Carolyn Rose Hat
Easy Felted Bag
Star Stitch Football Hat
Crossed Comfort Cap

Videos on AllFreeKnitting

How to Knit the Seed Stitch
How to Knit Yarn Over Stitch (Yo)