Christopher has become a common sight on the second floor of the downtown 1010 Centre. Anybody that finds himself walking these halls will find Chris sitting by himself, at the top of the stairs, surrounded by yarn, knitting shawls.
“It’s always a shawl,” says Christopher.
Since moving to The Mustard Seed’s supportive housing units 3 years ago, Chris has been knitting. He has knitted dozens of shawls over his years living there.
“I’ve sold a couple,” says Chris. “But I prefer to give them away.”
Once finished, Chris gives these shawls to people he thinks need them more.
“Someone who’s suffered a loss, a severe illness, a major life change; someone who needs an act of kindness and comfort,” explains Chris.
He describes his knitting as an accidental ministry. What started as a simple act of kindness, gifting a family at church some prayer shawls after experiencing a major medical emergency, has turned into much more. Chris first started knitting with his grandmother, who he cared for many years before her passing.
“She encouraged me to start knitting,” says Chris.
“She suggested it as a way to get me away from the computer, but now I rarely go anywhere without it.”
Now knitting has become a comforting hobby for Chris, calming his anxiety and helping with his depression – but his grandma’s presence is still with him all these years later.
“Knitting still reminds me of her,” says Chris.
Chris’s hobby has become well known throughout The Mustard Seed, everyone knows and recognizes him, the knitter in 1010. Now, he is able to share his hobby with others, offering them a bit of warmth and comfort with his shawls. He plans to provide shawls to the new residents of Ogden Hub:29, The Mustard Seed’s newest building that offers supportive housing to families.
“There are people in need of a shawl there,” says Chris.
While yarn is expensive, Chris still prefers to give away his shawls rather than sell them.
“Thankfully I’m in the position that I can give them away now.”
