Knitter knits hats for Christmas

By Brian Beckley

The Courier-Herald

Though she couldn't use the donated wool for her Project Linus blanket project due to allergy concerns, Doris Burton knew she could put it to good use somehow.

So instead of blankets, the wool is becoming winter hats, which will be donated to the Sumner Family Center as stocking stuffers.

"I think it will be nice at Christmas time for kids that don't have a gift," Burton said.

As of last week, the experienced knitter had already made more than 19 hats, but at the rate of approximately one per day, that number is probably higher now.

She also has three others working with her on the project.

It takes Burton approximately five hours to knit each hat and she hopes to make about 70 more before Christmas.

When she is not knitting hats, Burton is busy making quilts that are donated to the police and fire departments to go to underprivileged children as well.

Over Labor Day weekend, for example, Burton estimated she worked for 15 hours on hats and another 60 hours on quilts.

Why does she work so diligently on the the gifts?

"It's nice to give kids something at Christmas," she said.

Brian Beckley can be reached at bbeckley@courierherald.com.