Making fleece blankets for Project Linus, creating prayer shawls for people who are sick and stitching hats, lap covers and small pillows for residents of the Coatesville Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center are just some of the projects completed by the Summerfield Handstitchers, a group of sewing, knitting and crocheting enthusiasts who are residents of the Summerfield at Elverson housing development.

The group, previously known as the Summerfield Knitters, formed in 1997 when five Summerfield residents gathered to knit items for charity. Since then, the group has expanded its focus and now has about 15 members.

"We call it hand stitchers because it's not just knitting and crocheting. It's anything you (make) with your hands," explained Pauline Menger, group facilitator. "You have to live here or formerly live here (to be a member). We have some members who have moved to Tel Hai and come back."

Members meet on the third Thursday of the month in the community center at Summerfield, where they hold a business meeting and gather the items they have created. "We make the items at home and bring them in (to display)," said Menger. They also recite a prayer, asking for blessings on their work and for the charitable organizations they will be making items for.

One of the group's efforts includes providing prayer shawls to Summerfield residents who are sick, shut in, grieving the death of a loved one or expecting a baby. Since the beginning of the Summerfield prayer shawl ministry in 2006, the group has distributed 196 shawls or lap covers.

Member Joanne Ahern makes various items for the Coatesville VA, including dignity bibs for men, which are shirt fronts that they can slip over their heads. They can be easily changed in case of spills. She also makes sensory placemats for wheelchairs users. "When they are sitting in their wheelchairs, people love to keep their fingers busy," Ahern said, noting that she delivers items to the VA about once a month.

"Recently, Anchored Ministries in Elverson has accepted some of our hats (for distribution to its clients) during the winter," Menger added.

According to the group's year-end report for 2021, the Summerfield Handstitchers made a total of 223 pieces, which were given out to the various charities.

The members also take part in two outings per year, including a Christmas luncheon. "We go to lunch twice a year - in June and December. We try to make it a field trip, too," Menger said. "We've been to the (local) alpaca farm and to different specialty yarn places like the Lancaster Yarn Shop in Kitchen Kettle Village. We go to lunch and then to the (location)."

Members pay a nominal yearly fee to participate. The money is used to purchase labels that are sewn into the Project Linus blankets.

"We also have a yarn exchange. Everyone brings their yarn that is left over," said Menger. "One time, one of the gals needed green, and every (shade) of green was (brought to the exchange)."

Those who have yarn that they would like to donate to the group can bring it to a meeting or contact any of the members.