MINNEAPOLIS — Around a table at Kenwood Senior Living, spools of stories unravel each Thursday.
"The teacher showed us how to put the first stitch on," Patricia explained, when asked where she first learned how to knit.
Whether it was by necessity or a hobby, knitting is the thread that brings a handful of women together at the Kenwood community.
"We knitted in school, in Canada during the second World War," Sally said, knitting a scarf. "We were knitting blocks to make afghans for the soldiers' hospitals in Britain."
"The first craft I ever learned was how to knit and it was my neighbor," Ricky said. "And she showed me how."
The women, whose skills they've honed over decades, are now putting them to good use for a cause that's warm and fuzzy. They've been corresponding with the second graders at Ella Baker Elementary School in Minneapolis. They exchange letters, and for the holidays, the knitters sent them handmade scarves.
The joy of a handknit scarf was palpable in the words they got back, also in the form of letters.
"As the little boy said: to Ricky. I love my scarf, and it keeps me warm, and it's my favorite — I think he just said this, it's my favorite color," Ricky said. "Isn't that cute! and it probably wasn't! But so what!"
It's a priceless laugh in exchange for priceless craft. Plus, the act of knitting itself has been good for the women.
"Keep your hands busy, keep your memory good," Irene said. "It's good for you, but I like doing things with people and for people."
The camaraderie they find in each other every Thursday at Kenwood? Also priceless.
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