Busy Hands, Happy Hearts WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER | PHOTOS BY SUPER SOURCE MEDIA
Saratoga Peace Pod volunteers display a sleeping mat crafted by Christa Rittner for donation
Peace Pals knitted by Amy Thomas.
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Crafters can work from templates available at the Saratoga Peace Pod website.
Handmade infant sweater for donation.
Volunteer Amy Thomas.
ast March, while isolated at home, a small revolution was beginning to take shape. Studies show approximately 45 million Americans know how to knit or crochet, and last year, many of them used their knowledge to knit their way through the pandemic. The repetitive movement, gentle clicking of the needles, and soft yarn passing through their fingers is a therapeutic form of meditation that reduces anxiety, replacing it with a welcome sense of calm and connection. “I call it my Zen. My true Zen is fishing. I love to fish but when I can’t get out because of the weather or when I’m not feeling well, I can knit,” said Rachel Baum. Rachel came down with COVID-19 last March which then stretched into long-haul COVID. Despite her illness, within a couple of hours, while watching shows like Bridgerton, she was able to create a warm hat, a small baby blanket, or a soft scarf.
72 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | SUMMER 2021
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