91-year-old Helen Marcotte knits as many as 100 toques each winter. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

By Rob Mahon

Hand-Knitted Toques

91-year-old Prince Albert resident knits dozens of toques for those in need

Dec 1, 2022 | 9:00 AM

Since 2018, hundreds of people in need of winter clothing have gotten a hand-knitted toque thanks to the work of 91-year-old Helen Marcotte. This year has been no different.

Some of Parkland Ambulance’s Wrapped up for the Holidays campaign donations have come from Marcotte, who knits them herself and donates as many as 30 about every six weeks. She began knitting more regularly not long after her husband’s passing.

“I was still knitting a bit then and giving them away because I wanted to,” said Marcotte. “The last three years now, I’ve probably been giving away over 100 every winter.”

Marcotte lives in Prince Albert with a son of hers and said the knitting has helped keep both her mind and her body in better health.

“It gives me something to do,” said Marcotte. “He’s at work during the day and I’m by myself. It passes my time. I have a really bad tremor in my hands, and if I keep knitting my hands don’t hurt, they just shake.”

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Marcotte takes different lengths of time to make each toque, saying there are some days where she might knit two or other days where she might only get through half of one. But each one is appreciated, and Marcotte is happy to help.

“I grew up very, very poor,” she said. “When I was a child, we were fortunate enough to live in the country so we always had enough to eat. But as far as clothes, it was second hand, and it was worn out by the time I got it… When somebody gave me something second-hand that was still looking pretty good, I was thrilled.”

With nine children of her own, Marcotte said she “basically made everything they wore” until they got older. Her clothing creation skills are quite well-honed.

“We took what we got and made the best we could out of it,” said Marcotte. “I buy all the wool to make my toques, though last year there was a lady that gave me a substantial donation to buy the wool, which was wonderful… But I just feel I know how to do it, and it’s good for me to do something to keep my hands and my brain working.”

Originally, Marcotte was delivering them to shelters herself with one of her grandchildren driving her. But with it being harder for her to walk around in the winter, she phoned up Parkland Ambulance director of public affairs Lyle Karasiuk.

“I phoned and I asked if there was any way the ambulance people could distribute these toques that I make,” Marcotte said. “They said sure they would, and I was really grateful for that. Now, when I have a drawer full, I phone them and they come and get them. I know they’re going where they should be, so that’s all that matters.”

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP