From Health Sciences North to Moosonee's Weeneebayko General Hospital, if you've welcomed a bundle of joy into the world recently, your family may have been one of 1,287 to receive a hand-knit baby beanie by local Maizie Hanson.
For the past four years, 93-year-old Hanson has been knitting baby beanies and donating her finished products to hospitals across the province. The "little hats" as Hanson describes them, are delivered to Health Sciences North by her son, and out of town by anyone willing to transport the thoughtful gifts.
Hanson said she was introduced to the idea through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, who invited their congregation to produce baby beanies for their community, using a collection of donated wool. The success of the initiative inspired Hanson to continue producing little hats on her own, using material purchased out of pocket.
"It just seemed to be such a great idea," said Hanson. "It's always nice if you can do something in your community to help someone else."
Managing reduced mobility over the years, Hanson said that in addition to being an enjoyable past-time, her little hats allow her to interact with the community — even from the comfort of her home, where she lives independently to this day.
"I feel a little bit of the community being able to get hats on a lot of our own little babies in the area," said Hanson. "(It) gives me a lot of pleasure to feel like I can do some little thing for the community."
Although Hanson said she has not been in a position to hear feedback from the families themselves, Health Sciences North has been very appreciative of her donations over the years, which can include anywhere up to 110 little hats per shipment. The little hats come in two sizes, for which Hanson uses one of four patterns or one of the "little patterns" she has made for herself.
In addition to being a practical fashion accessory, Hanson said she hopes her little hats carry sentimental value for the families who receive them. "(It's a) nice little keepsake if mothers keep them for the little one for when they get a little older," said Hanson.
Hanson said she has done quite a bit of knitting and sewing over the years, having learned at a young age while watching her mother knit mittens. But hats remain her favourite item to produce.
"I can't wait to get up in the morning and do what I have to do, and go to my little hats," said Hanson. "As long as I have my sight and my hands, I plan to make little hats."
