Alle-Kiski Valley knitters show love by the skein

A dozen Alle-Kiski women are investing their dexterity and love for others by crocheting knit caps for newborns and a host of crocheted or knitted items to help cancer survivors.

The items include “knitted knockers.” When a woman’s breast must be surgically removed and she decides against augmentation, she can pad her bra with the small, soft knitted breast prosthetic.

Packages of those newborns’ caps and bra fillers are scheduled to be given next week to women at West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh.

The crocheted and knitted items come from volunteers who spend three hours each Thursday at the Alle-Kiski Valley Senior Citizens Center, Third Avenue, New Kensington, to learn or hone their craft.

Pat Anicka of New Kensington, Korenna “Kay” Stragand of Arnold and Betty Schmelzer of Lower Burrell were there this week making the bra fillers. The work includes using four needles to hold the yarn.

“It’s also a time for women to talk about shared interests,” said Selma Foster of Brackenridge.

“All of the women are retired, but we welcome younger people,” she said.

It’s harder to teach left-­handed folks.

“I watched to see what they were doing and told me what needed to be done, and then I started to crochet,” said leftie Eunice Ackles of New Kensington. She now helps other left-handed people.

The class started years ago as a way for Regina Rowe of Arnold to instruct crocheting, including how to read patterns.

“It was only supposed to be for six weeks, and an hour each week. Well, it’s now three hours each week,” she chuckled.

Rowe said members of the group also make items that they donate to the center so the center can sell them.