This article was submitted by The Kenwood.

Residents of The Kenwood who belong to the knitting group Kenwood Knitters knitted scarves for second graders at Ella Baker Elementary School before school let out for winter break. The students wrote thank you notes to the knitters.

“The children were so excited,” said Mariann Bentz, activities assistant at The Kenwood. “It was wonderful to see a classroom of grinning children wearing their scarves. It was also very touching to see the residents' reactions to the thank you letters."

Founded in 2012, the Kenwood Knitters meets weekly on Thursdays. The knitters selected their own colors and knitted either with the group members and/or in their apartments. The project took six months to complete. The yarn was supplied from a grant from Thrivent Insurance Company.

“I enjoy the community of the knitting group,” said Susan Anderson, a resident of The Kenwood for 14 years. “Knitting keeps my hands busy, and it also keeps me focused. We like being together. It’s very supportive.”

The rhythmic, repetitive motions of yarn crafts can also release serotonin, which is a natural analgesic and antidepressant. The members of the Kenwood Knitters acknowledge that the most satisfying aspect of knitting is when a finished product helps or comforts others.

The Kenwood resident Patricia Kasimor learned to knit in school. “Currently I am making scarves and caps to send to Ukraine,” she said.

The Kenwood Senior Living,  located at 825 Summit Ave., is a rental retirement community which provides independent living, assisted living apartments, and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay – a weekend, a week, a month, or longer.