Treena Evans  and hubby Bob Carrol are working to keep at risk members of the community warm and safe this winter.

Evans has owned the Spin Me a Yarn store for eight years at 2855 Lake Shore Blvd. W., and is involved in a range of charities.

Her store is well-known to area crafters for helping residents stay out of the cold.
Outside the store are plastic bags containing home-made items as toques, gloves or scarves tied to a pole and available free for those who are suffering from the cold.

All the items in Project Warmth are knitted or crocheted with love by dozens of volunteers, some in a social room in the store.

“We have been doing this for three years,” Evans said. “Most of the items are gone overnight taken by those in need.”

She shows a “ thank you” note left by someone who took items to fight the deep freeze.

“Anyone in need can come and take one,” Evans said. “The items are placed in plastic bags and are for those who are cold.”

Bob said he got the idea from a social media post by another yarn shop years ago.

“People in the community know the items are here and take it to stay warm,” he said.

Evans said more younger people are getting into the craft since COVID.

“It is good for concentration and mindfulness,” she said. “There are many benefits to crocheting and knitting.”

The store is busy this holiday as people stock up with wool, yarn, needles and other accessories.

Customers like the social space for crafters to knit and crochet;  a place for people to learn new skills and where people can gather and share their projects.

“We carry a wide range of Indy dyed yarns from local and Canadian dyers and we focus on bringing in new yarns every month,” she said.

Today the couple are loading dozens of  boxes into a vehicle in a Shoebox Project, in which the boxes are filled with gifts for at-risk women in shelters.

They are also involved in a drive making blankets for pets in shelters.

You can visit the store at spinmeayarn.ca