Stitched from the Heart
For the past two years, Diana Howes has created beautiful, hand-crafted blankets for the homeless and foster youth at YES. She recently stopped by with another stunning batch. We connected with her to talk a bit about her passion for caring for others through these incredible gifts.
“My grandmother taught me how to knit and crochet when I was in elementary school. Now I am 67 years old. All my life I have had a project in the making,”
said Diana.
Diana’s passion for knitting and blanket-making goes well beyond a desire to pass the time.
“I chose to create and give handmade blankets because I think they are more meaningful to the recipient. The blankets are unique and special, just like each of the youth that receives one.”
She hopes that the youth will know that they are valued and that someone has taken their time and creativity to make something special just for them.
This past year, Diana wanted to spread the word about this unique way of supporting YES youth and get others involved in the project.
“A year ago, I created some flyers and started passing them out to people. I met a woman in the yarn aisles at a local craft store and talked to her about the project. We later met at a coffee shop and now she comes to my apartment for blanket-making parties. She has become a dear friend. I also took a partially finished blanket to my yoga studio and invited yoga classmates to participate. The manager of the yoga studio shared the flyer with her mother, and now she also is a close friend.”
This initial two-hand project has transformed into Diana hosting blanket-making parties every two weeks. She keeps the pattern very simple so beginners can make as little or as much as they want toward the finished product.
“I find much joy in the making and the giving. I include loving thoughts into each stitch. And I trust that the recipient will feel that love when they wrap up in the blanket.”
We are so grateful to Diana and to all of the incredible volunteers that spend countless hours on these amazing gifts of comfort for YES youth.
For more information on how to join one of Diana’s groups, donate yarn/materials, or support the homeless and foster youth YES serves, contact
development@youthemergingstronger.org
or 323-467-8466.