By Megan Sprague

A mitten or a scarf might seem like a little thing, but when it’s hand-knit with love, it can make a big impact.

No one knows that better than Maria Campagna, owner of Cables Yarn and Trim in Mooresville. 

“I’ve been knitting for about seven years now, and I am hooked,” Campagna said. “What’s not to love? But after a while, your family gets pretty tired of getting the 500th scarf. That’s why I decided to start knitting for those in need.”

One of the organizations Campagna knits for, Headhuggers, started in Maryland after creator Sue Thompson met a woman going through chemotherapy.
“I met a lady a month after she battled breast cancer, and her only symptom was a cold head because she had lost all of her hair,” Thompson said. “I made her a couple of hats. A lot of people liked them, and it went from there.”

One of the people inspired to follow in her footsteps was Campagna.

“I started knitting for them after I read the story on her Web site on how she got started,” she said. “I thought about how I would feel if that happened to me and how much I would love to receive something that showed people are thinking of me.”

Headhuggers has now grown to a world-wide organization, with locations in Canada, Australia and Puerto Rico, to name a few.

“I had to make satellite groups because there were so many hats that it took up all of my time just to label them and mail them out,” Thompson said. “I’ve sent out at least 50,000 all over the country and I’ve also started Miracles Happen, which knits for newborns and preemies.”

Thompson’s Web sites, http://www.headhuggers.org and http://www.miracleshappen.us/ offer patterns and tips for those just getting started in the knitting world.

“I always get so much more out of it than any of the women who receive my hats,” Thompson said. “In a world that’s so negative, it’s nice to show someone else that you care and to have something that positive.”

Billie Underbrink of Mooresville has also joined her friend Campagna and started to knit for others.

“My motivation to get started was Maria,” Underbrink said. “I’ve loved knitting since my brother taught me how 10 years ago, and if I can do it for someone else, I think that’s great.”

Another charity happy to accept the work of knitting enthusiasts is Barium Springs Home for Children in Troutman. Residents, especially the pre-schoolers, often need hats, scarves and mittens. Scarves are great for the older kids.

“Anything handmade is treasured by the children,” said Abby Vinez, minister for the Barium Springs Campus. “Such an impact is made when they realize someone put the time and effort into creating something especially for them. Their eyes just light up and they jump up and down.”

Vinez said that for most of the families at Barium Springs, buying things is a burden.

“You know kids, especially the younger ones, lost things a lot, and most of the time, they can’t afford to replace a mitten. Donated clothing helps a lot.”
Afghans are also helpful, she added.

“When you make them, it means so much if you sew a label on it with a prayer or your name,” Vinez said. “The kids really like to search for that and find who cared enough to make it for them.”

If you would like to begin knitting for charity, but don’t know where to begin, Campagna advises to start with something small like a washcloth.

“You could also make a small baby blanket, just enough to tuck around the infant,” she said.

Both Thompson and Campagna also said finding a group when you first start out can make a difference as well.

“Just go to your local yarn shop,” suggested Thompson. “They usually run a group and are happy to show you.“

“Every little bit helps and you’ll soon find you’re completely addicted to it. Just look for a cause you believe in and get to it!” added Campagna.

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