A close-knit team

By Denise Dick

boardman Center Middle School

Pupils crochet afghans for homeless

111Eighth-graders Renee, 13, and Tiffany, 14, and seventh-grader Lizzy, 13, were among about 100 BCMS pupils who crocheted 7-by-9-inch yarn rectangles that were used to create afghans for Homeless Solutions, a subsidiary of Meridian Services. The program offers housing assistance to those in need.

“We want to start a group to do this next year at high school, too,” Renee said.

The effort is part of Warm Up America, an organization comprising volunteers who make afghans and clothing by hand for people in need.

The girls hope the afghans they helped create go to people who benefit from them.

Renee crocheted 22 rectangles, Tiffany did 30 and Lizzy completed 18.

The girls learned ridge stitches, where the yarn is crocheted to form a raised ridge, star stitches that create a star shape, and shell stitches in addition to the basic single and double stitches.

The effort was organized by guidance counselor Laura Sevenich Hancock and physical education teacher Jan Castaldi.

The pupils crocheted the rectangles, and volunteers stitched the pieces together to finish the work.

“They did it in study hall and some at home,” Hancock said.

Seventh-grader Katie Durbin, 13, captured the rectangle record with 49. “I just like doing it,” she said.

Brian Cleckner, a case manager at Homeless Solutions, and Cherie Upole, a client, visited the school Monday to accept the pupils’ finished work.

“We’re going to give the afghans to some of our clients as Christmas presents,” Cleckner said.

In addition to the 14 completed afghans, hundreds of finished rectangles line a table in the school’s small auditorium waiting to be assembled. A few of the finished blankets will be raffled off next year to raise money to buy more yarn for next year’s pupil artisans.

“The idea really took off,” Hancock said. “The kids really got into it.”

Seventh-graders Aaron Cunningham, 13, and Taylor Brue, 13, crocheted 21 and 22 rectangles, respectively.

Aaron favors the double stitch. “It’s bigger so it doesn’t take as long,” he said.

He crocheted with his mother when he was a younger boy, but the middle school program marked the first time he’s picked up a hook and yarn in years. His mom is urging him to join her again, and Aaron thinks he might.

Warm Up America prompted Taylor’s first crochet experience.

“I just like making blankets,” she said.