It started with a simple math word problem. If you are casting 20 stitches on knitting needles, how many more do you need to cast on to have a total of 35? The students didn’t know what knitting needles were, so CEO foster grandparent Judy Dupuis brought some in to show the class. First graders Shae Bentley and Ryan Matteson became interested in the process and the project was born.
For several months in the spring, Shae and Ryan worked with Judy to knit blankets and hats for premature babies at Albany Med. Monica Nolan is an aide in the elementary school. Monica’s daughter, Bridey Nolan, is a 2018 graduate of CCS and a PICU nurse at Albany Med. Bridey noticed that blankets and hats were given to patients and that they brought a sense of comfort and joy to the families in a scary situation. She told her mom who relayed the information to Judy, who then created the project.
In total, the students made more than 35 blankets and hats for the babies. The items were given to Bridey, who then gave them to the patients at Albany Med.
“It was such a great experience teaching the students how to cast and knit, and knowing that the project was providing comfort for families,” said Judy Dupuis. “The students were great to work with and they were excited to learn the process of casting and knitting. Albany Med could use 10-17 blankets and hats a month, so I would love to keep the project going this school year.”