Asbury Methodist Group Knits, Crochets Healing Hats

By Rick Wells, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- Often the treatment for cancer involves chemotherapy and that can mean losing hair. Many chemo patients need hats to help keep warm and cover their bad head.

A group at Asbury United Methodist church is trying to help with Healing Hats.

Some ladies have gathered at Asbury to knit hats for cancer patients. Some are experienced at knitting and crochet; others are just beginning.

Sue Fisher started this group last summer. Her husband suggested she knit some hats for chemotherapy patients.

"I started knitting some hats and thought other people could do this too," she said.

That was the beginning of the Healing Hats ministry. So far since the summer these ladies have created more than 1,000 hats which have been distributed to area facilities that provide chemo treatment.

"I am doing a hat for my son-in-law, in his school colors:

purple and white Kansas State," said Mary Ann Kirk.

He has chronic lymphatic leukemia. It's in remission, but he still needs a hat. She heard about this group and said "I can do this."

"Oh, yeah I can knit. I haven't for 20 years but I can do this," she said.

Several of the ladies at the table suggested I could do it too. They say, real men knit – real men crochet.

I didn't see any. I was the only man there – which I kind of like.

Maybe someday. Then I saw Kenley Hayes. She's 10, I found out. She learned to crochet last summer and is now a hat-making machine.

"Probably 10 or 15," Kenley said, when asked how many hats she'd made.

This one, a crocheted Santa hat, earned a first prize in a competition the group had. That's good, but what's better is helping people who need it. 

Pretty heavy duty stuff for a 10 year old, and a special thing to do. 

The Healing Hats group is always looking for more people who knit and crochet, and of course donations of yarn. Contact Asbury United Methodist for more information on how you can help.