Jeanne Fell has put her fast fingers to good use by keeping people’s hands warm during cold northern winters.
Fell, a veteran knitter, has made dozens of pairs of mittens for schoolchildren, families and people in need. Last week, Fell presented a box of knitted goods, including 30 sets of mitts, to the Flin Flon Aboriginal Friendship Centre. The gifts will be used as part of the centre’s Christmas programs and are available for residents at the centre’s hostel.
In an average month, Fell knits 30 pairs of mittens – about a pair a day – using worsted weight wool, not too thick to knit but not too thin to keep out the cold. To make things even more impressive, Fell, who just turned 89, does most of her work by feel. Her eyesight is not what it used to be, but Fell, who has knitted for more than eight decades, relies on her experience to get the job done.
“I used to do all sorts of things, but now my eyesight’s gone, I just do the mittens now. I can do that by feel,” she said.
Friends and community organizations send her wool to make the mitts, including the group she is a member of; the Order of the Eastern Star.
Fell has worked with the Eastern Star lodge in The Pas to transport her knit mitts across northern Manitoba during the winter months, including to a number of schools and community groups. Fell’s mittens have been distributed to Creighton Community School, the friendship centre and other regional groups, including several schools in The Pas.
“I got a letter from one lot one day, then the next day I got another letter from a different school thanking me and telling me how much they like the mitts. The first letter, it was signed by the principal and the vice-principal, but the kids in the class had drawn little pictures showing the mitts on them. It was that and the thank you letter with it,” she said. The recognition caught her off guard.
“I was really surprised. I don’t really do it for that, I just do it to be helpful.”
Fell’s main goal is to do some good during the holiday season and to help keep people warm during punishing northern winters.
“It makes me feel good. They’re being put to a good purpose. I just never think of it. I make them so I can give them to people and that’s it. I never think any more of it than that. If they need mitts and they let me know, I’ll knit them,” said Fell.
