Krystal Ramirez
Karin Roelf crochets dozens of hats, scarves, and blankets for the homeless every year and donates them to Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada. Shown above on Dec. 12, 2014 at Catholic Charities, 1501 Las Vegas Boulevard North.
Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014 | 2 a.m.
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The scarves and hats piled on a table waited for their new owners, who had formed a long line outside Catholic Charities on a cold, drizzly December day.
Behind the table, the crafts’ creator, 73-year-old Karin Roelf, fussed with the rainbow-colored mound, giving order to the assortment. She plucked a bright green knit cap from the mix and examined it.
“These I started this year,” she said in a soft voice punctuated by a German accent. “They are very popular. They are called slouchy beanies.”
Since Easter, Roelf crocheted 152 hats, 46 scarves and five baby blankets, all for people in need. She started crocheting 25 years ago to stay awake while her husband watched television and continued while undergoing chemotherapy, first for breast cancer, then uterine cancer. Doctors inserted the injection needle higher on her arm so it wouldn’t interfere with the yarn weaving through her fingers.
Eight years ago, Roelf began dropping off bags of crocheted winter wear at Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada. This year was the first time she met the recipients.
Staff at the downtown nonprofit agency, which provides shelter for the homeless and other services, ushered a group of men indoors, including some using wheelchairs and others hobbling with canes.
“You make these?” one man asked.
Roelf nodded and smiled.
“All by yourself?”
“Yes.”
“Let me see your hands.”
She raised her hands and wiggled her fingers.
“They still working?” the man asked, feigning disbelief.
Roelf giggled as the man chose a black hat and yellow scarf. As he moved on, others took his place, announced their favorite colors and uttered sincere thanks.
“Keep warm,” Roelf said over and over.
At one point, a man leaned in for a hug.
“His coat was soaked,” Roelf said. “I felt so awful.”
During her cancer treatments, Roelf crocheted to pass five-and-a-half-hour chemotherapy sessions. Each usually was long enough to finish one hat.
Roelf’s cancer has been in remission for two years, but crocheting remains a daily part of her life. To keep the activity from growing monotonous, she crochets several styles of hats and scarves.
Roelf won’t discuss the cost of yarn. It’s not something she and her husband like to publicize, other than to acknowledge that she tries to buy whatever types are on sale. Friends occasionally pitch in, and a woman at Wal-Mart once gave Roelf $20 to buy more yarn after hearing her plans for it.
“I want to give something of myself,” said Roelf, who moved to Las Vegas 35 years ago from Germany. “It makes me feel good to put a happy face on somebody.”
She isn’t taking a break for the holidays, either. As soon as one batch of hats and scarves has been delivered, Roelf starts crocheting the next.
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