A local group of crocheters put smiles on the faces of many Mount Eagle Elementary School students Nov. 14 when they delivered over 400 handmade hats, scarves and mittens to the school.
According to school principal Jean Consolla, the children were allowed to pick out their new winter accessories during the first recess, with staff getting second dibs. Certain items went quickly.
“The most popular were the Minions,” said Consolla. “And the scarves and gloves also went quickly. There were some identical hats, and several students collaborated to all pick them and wear them as a group.”
The yarn bombing event at Mount Eagle, conducted by NoVA Crocheters, was the second time the group mass-produced winter gear for a local school. In 2021, the crafters — some of whom are teachers with Fairfax County Public Schools — delivered accessories to Timber Lane Elementary in Falls Church and found it was “a hit,” so they decided to do it again this year, according to crocheter Laura Richardson.
“We’ve already discussed the fact that NoVA Crocheters would love to be an inspiration for others to copy our idea of ‘yarn bombing’ a school, because there are so many schools and so few of us,” said Richardson — who herself contributed 17 scarves, 15 sets of gloves and 62 hats to the most recent event.
Mount Eagle students and staff were appreciative of the gesture.
“There’s something special about a handmade item, and it was clear that the children appreciated not only the care that went into making them, but also the creativity shown in choosing a particular color or weight of yarn or style of hat,” said Consolla. “The event was several weeks ago, and students are still wearing them throughout the day with a smile on their face.”
The few remaining handmade items will be kept for new students and colder weather, according to Consolla. “We’re confident that they will be put to good use,” she said.
