In Shadow of Coronavirus, a Close-Knit Community Perseveres

Dozens of dedicated seniors continue tradition of making hats for newborns

Covid-19 was not going to slow the mission of the Knitting Grandmas. Despite having to pause their weekly in-person knitting sessions the group continues to welcome every baby born at Maple Grove Hospital with the gift of a hand-knitted hat. 

“Unfortunately, the pandemic has impacted all aspects of our operations here at the hospital,” said Jennifer Nelson, manager of volunteer services at Maple Grove Hospital. “Having these hats available has continued that happy celebration of new babies here at the hospital. Truly, they are skilled artisans and we are so fortunate to have them as part of our team.”

The Knitting Grandmas and Friends have been creating one-of-a-kind hats for the newborns at Maple Grove Hospital since it opened in 2006. To date, the group has donated a hat for each of the more than 45,000 babies born there. Before the pandemic, the group would meet weekly at the Maple Grove Community Center to knit, crochet and socialize.

“We turn in approximately 100 hats each week. Our community center has been closed, but we drop hats off in the community center parking lot, pick up more yarn and carry on,” said group member and Blue Cross Medicare member Karen Larson. “Keep calm and knit on could be our motto!”

The group has nearly 60 dedicated knitters, including several blue–ribbon winners from the Minnesota State Fair. Each hat is individually wrapped and includes a note about who made it and a little bit more about the program. 

“We live in Maple Grove and in light of everything that’s going on, it made us feel connected to the community,” said Matt Swan, whose son, Archer, was born at the hospital in June. “It was just really cool to know who made it. It’s definitely a keepsake that we’ll hold on to.”