Local

Proud to be from Pittsburgh: Knit-A-Cap

PITTSBURGH — At 83 years old, a grandmother in Beaver County has never turned down a challenge.  Her latest mission is to knit 2,000 hats to keep kids healthy during the winter.

Channel 11's Katherine Amenta shares her inspirational story.

Spend an hour in the Wilsons' living room, and you'll feel the passion and love shine through.

"I just feel that I'm here for some reason," said Mary Wilson.

Her hands have been knitting for more than a year, keeping Native American children warm around the country. It's all for the organization "Knit-A-Cap".

The idea was born in frigid Alaska and all the way in Beaver County, Mary Wilson is hard at work making that dream a reality.

“I hadn’t knitted in a long time,” said Wilson. “I'll try to make a hundred.”

Mary made those 100 hats in no time.

“And then I thought, I'll go for two hundred,” said Wilson. “Now I'm over 1,000. As long as these arthritic hands work, I'm going to go for 2,000.”

Each hat is unique and her husband of 57 years, Don, is right by her side.

“He helps me pick out colors,” said Wilson. “He's a good color coordinator.”

Mary showed Amenta the thank-you letters and pictures she's received from the children.

“And we love reading the letters when they come,” said Wilson.  “It's like Christmas.”

“It's enough to make your life worthwhile, believe me,” said Don Wilson.

“It gives me a warm feeling,” said Mary Wilson.  “It makes me feel good that I can pass some love through a hat.”