When someone donated a large supply of yarn to AIM's Retirement Center in Minneola, Florida, the question had to be asked, "What good is yarn in Lake Country, Florida, where woolies are seldom needed?"

“Baby hats,” suggested friends working with international families in Illinois. “We could use baby bonnets.” Thus, the Needlers Club was born. The retirees began turning hats out by the score.

Friends in Africa wrote: “Orphanages and children’s hospitals could use bonnets.” More hats flew off to Africa. A nurse in the Horn of Africa wrote: “The women love them! I give them out to babies at post natal visits. Not too many mothers come for this, so the hats are an incentive and indirectly contribute to both mothers’ and babies’ health.”

A nurse in the Horn of Africa wrote: “The women love [the hats]! I give them out to babies at post natal visits. Not too many mothers come for this, so the hats are an incentive and indirectly contribute to both mothers’ and babies’ health.”Then a Needler bought a knitted doll in a craft show. “I think we could knit these,” she said, and created a pattern.  Now, dolls join the hat-safaris to Africa.

Some dolls, dressed in ethnic costumes, stayed in Lake County. They decorated tables at New Life Presbyterian Church’s missionary conference in October, 2006, and also at Minneola Alliance Church in February 2007.

During the winter, an article soliciting warm hats for the military appeared in PARADE/Orlando Sentinel. The Needlers contacted The Ships Project, (http://www.theshipsproject.com/Home.htm), and then added adult hats to their repertoire.

To the Needlers’ amazement, no matter how much yarn they use, someone mysteriously replenishes their supply.

 To contact Needlers please email babeka@juno.com

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