Hannibal Holy Family fourth-graders warming up others’ lives
Learn to loom knit in their spare time
Students in Jo Ann Diffenderfer’s fourth-grade class at Holy Family School in Hannibal now know how to loom knit.
They did so in coordination with Kids Who Care, a service club coordinated by the Intermediate Department at Holy Family School.
Mrs. Diffenderfer recalls attending her first Kids Who Care meeting during the 2024-25 school year.
“I learned that Kids Who Care donated much-needed winter items to charity during December each year,” she said.
She then obtained permission from Principal Sara Hooley to teach the students to loom knit and make their own items to be donated.
“I brought in looms and yarn from home last year,” said Mrs. Diffenderfer. “Over the summer, I had a friend 3-D print 20 looms so each child could have one. Students even brought in their looms and yarn.
Last year, students made scarves. This year, they made scarves, ear-warmers, hats and muffs to donate.
The students love the hands-on activity when their schoolwork is caught up. They even used their skills to create presents for family and friends.
“I remember my mom telling me that she learned to knit (with needles) in fourth grade from her teacher,” said Mrs. Diffenderfer. “I thought this was a tradition I could carry on.”
Her mom, Mary Ann Harlow of Centralia, and her Aunt Phyliss West of Lithia, Florida, used to read The Long Red Scarf by Nette Hilton to students in their hometowns and then present each student a scarf.
The family connection goes a little further as Mrs. Diffenderfer’s sister, Shelly Mortimer of Centralia, crafted a tag for Holy Family students to attach to each article they make for donation.
