Katie Folkman and the Essentials First Beanie (Hats) Project

by Katie Folkman

It all started in December of 2022, when I found a stash of unused yarn in a closet at my home.  I decided that I could make a few beanie hats with that original yarn.  I had previously met Nicky and Khizer Sheriff at a supply packing event at their Essentials First location in Bellevue, WA. I felt comfortable donating the hats to Essentials First because of our previous relationship and I was so impressed with the work they were doing for their clients.

My original hats were made from several different patterns. As time went on, I adjusted and refined a pattern that would be easy to follow and would be durable in the outdoors and chilly weather. (I no longer need to look at the pattern, which saves a lot of time with the crocheting.) 😊

I soon exhausted my original supply of yarn, but I was not ready to quit. With my husband’s full support, I began shopping for yarn every few weeks.  From December 1, 2022, through February 6, 2023, I donated 31 beanies to Essentials First.

My husband, Kevin, and I retired from our positions in education in 2022. We traveled to Utah about eight times in the first year of our retirement.  My father was nearing his 100th birthday and we were traveling to help support him, spend time with him, and to help lighten the load that my siblings had been carrying.

Many of my donated beanies were created on those long road trips to Utah. After my father’s passing, I continued to crochet the beanies. I looked forward to finding new yarn and most of the time on our outdoor excursions, I was crocheting as we drove on adventures around the Western states. (I also tend to fall asleep watching streaming movies. Crocheting the beanies helps me stay awake during the evening movies.)

As of July 16, 2024, I have donated 185 beanies to Essentials First. My goal is to keep working on the crocheted beanies as long as I am able and as long as there is a need for the beanies. Crocheting beanies is not a difficult job for me, because I experience joy as I am serving others.

Essentials First staff note: We are so grateful to Katie for her creativity and commitment to helping keep our neighbors warm!