A group of women is making a difference for the homeless in downtown Monroe one handknitted item at a time. 

Annabeth Nugent and Cindy Gaubert knit handcrafted scarves, socks and hats to place in various locations in downtown Monroe to help keep the homeless warm during cold weather. 

While working as a stylist at Rain The Salon and Day Spa on DeSiard Street in downtown Monroe, Nugent noticed homeless people whom she wanted to help. 

"I know there's a homeless population in downtown Monroe and I don't really have the excess funds to donate any money or any foods or anything like that," Nugent said. "With knitting, I can at least keep them warm so I thought that would be a good way to do something." 

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Nugent said her interest and eventual hobby started in a high school class while watching a friend.

"When I was 15 or 16, I had a friend knitting in English class when we were watching movies or something that we had to do, and I wanted to learn because I didn't know how to knit," she said. "My grandmother taught me how to crotchet and I hadn't picked it up. It had been years. I knew how to sew and I knew how to embroider so I figured knitting would be fun." 

Nugent said she formed a Facebook group of like-minded crafters, called Knitting for the Kneedy, who would knit scarves among other things to give to others. 

"From one thing of just knitting a scarf, I've learned how to do a lot more and I've been able to, obviously make more things for people but also I can make more personalized gifts," she said. "I really like being more, just going out to buy something for someone is great but if I can make you something I'd rather do that." 

Even though Nugent no longer works at the salon, she and the group continue to place her handknitted items in various locations once or twice a week in downtown Monroe, whether it be a tree, fence or the numerous crane statutes.

"I've had them on lamp posts, I'll find trees," she said. "If it's raining, I'll get zip-lock bags and I'll put them in there and tie that to something or put it in a tree by the lamp post or around that. I like using the crane because it's pretty and it's easy to see. I like the cranes there fun."

Nugent said she's seen first-hand how people appreciate her generosity. 

"Last week or the week before last, there was someone downtown and I was walking by and I happened to have my pairs of socks that I'd done," she said. "I just gave them to him because it's getting colder and I said, 'I'm so sorry. I don't have money. I don't have food but I've got some socks.' He just was really happy and I like hearing he was just so grateful. He was like, 'It's ok. This is better than money. This is warm and it's all I need'." 

Nugent said she loves seeing people around downtown Monroe wearing her scarves and hats because it makes her feel like it's actually helping in a tangible way. 

"It might not be a huge difference but it's making a difference to at least that person that's warmer," she said. 

Follow Ian Robinson on Twitter @_irobinsonand on Facebook athttps://bit.ly/3vln0w1.

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