Every Tuesday, women gather around the Village’s art room—some are anxious and uncertain of what to expect. The weekly knitting group is co-led by volunteer Patricia Hindin. “They come in saying, ‘I don’t know how to knit,’” Patricia says. “But then they do it—they learn the stitch; they start a project. You can see their faces light up.”
For women experiencing homelessness or housing instability, learning a new skill like knitting is more than a creative outlet—it’s a confidence builder. Whether they go on to make scarves, hats, or simply enjoy the meditative rhythm of stitching, each woman leaves with a sense of accomplishment. “These are women who have been told they’re not capable, or who have been through so much trauma,” Patricia says. “So, when they learn something new and stick with it, it matters.”
Keisha Jones has attended the knitting class for the past two months. “The class is teaching me how to concentrate and design. I’m not a creative person, but I enjoy learning new skills,” she shared.
The knitting class, held in partnership with Project Knitwell, offers more than just instruction—it offers peace and community. Some women use the time to talk and support one another. Others sit quietly, knitting row after row as a way to manage anxiety or grief. “One woman told me knitting was the only thing that kept her grounded,” Patricia recalls.
Another knitting class participant shared, “I am finding my calm and my peace. I even knit on the days when we don’t have class… It’s therapeutic. I look forward to showing what I did in the next class.”
The impact of Project Knitwell extends beyond the classroom. Through its Knitwell Knits Back initiative, volunteers create handmade winter accessories for N Street Village clients—each item crafted with care and compassion. This year alone, they donated 230 hats, 7 beaded headbands, 2 cowls, 4 scarves, and 2 pairs of fingerless mitts, ensuring women across the Village stay warm and wrapped in community.
The ripple effect of knitting is profound. One client who began just months ago recently completed a sweater for her son. Another is exploring ways to turn her creations into a small business. “Even if they just knit scarves for the rest of their lives, they now have something they can do—and something they’re proud of,” Patricia says.
For Patricia, volunteering at N Street Village has been transformative. “I thought I was coming here to share a skill,” she says. “But I’ve learned so much from these women. Their strength, their creativity, their willingness to show up and try—it’s inspiring.”
Classes like knitting are among the many ways that N Street Village provides a foundation for healing, growth, and self-discovery. With every stitch, women are rebuilding not only their confidence—but also their futures.
N Street Village would like to congratulate Project Knitwell as they celebrate their 15-year anniversary of bringing comfort, creativity, and connection through knitting!