Saint Charlotte’s Crochet Crew: Crafting Gifts of Love and Hope

Tina Mayeux highlights a unique women’s ministry in her area that creates crocheted crafts for vulnerable groups in the community.  

Pray. Create. Give. These three words succinctly describe the mission of Saint Charlotte’s Crochet Crew at Saint Dominic Parish in Mobile, Alabama. Thursday evenings at the home of Patricia Spafford are for the group a time set apart for gathering, praying, and sharing their talents for needlework with those in need and the less fortunate. Patricia’s desire to do something new for women in her church community sparked the idea for the club, which donates the finished items to local charities in the area.  

In the parable of the Five Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), we learn of Jesus’ desire for us to use our gifts wisely to build up the kingdom of God. Being a good steward of the blessings and graces God has given us is necessary for salvation. The good news is that the unique talents each of us have received can be used to help others, especially the less fortunate among us.

There are countless ways we can serve and share our blessings. Taking its name from the patroness of crocheting, the Saint Charlotte’s Crochet Crew is one of the more unique ideas for ministering to vulnerable individuals and groups in the area. For Patricia, the hobby of crocheting turned into a way to give back to her church and community. In 2023, she began the weekly gathering in her home, and the group has grown to about 15 or 20 members. Occasionally, a representative from a local charity will speak to them about their mission and accept the crocheted donations, which are then presented to the recipients.  

Projects With a Purpose 

Have you ever heard of a twiddlemuff? It is a whimsical craft made especially for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients to help soothe restless anxiety and agitation, which are unwelcome symptoms of the diseases. Buttons, zippers, and other knick-knacks are attached to a crocheted tube, providing these patients with a soft muff to keep their hands warm while giving them objects and textures to touch and “twiddle” with.  

Twiddlemuffs are just one of the many gifts lovingly crafted by the group. Some of the more memorable projects they have completed include crocheted hats for babies in the hospital NICU, washcloths for the Father Purcell Memorial Exceptional Children’s Center, patriotic crafts for homeless veterans at Eagle’s Landing housing community, and Christmas ornaments for students at Augusta Evans School for mentally handicapped children. Blankets are occasionally crocheted for special recipients selected by the group. On Saint Thérèse’s feast day, second grade students and residents at the Little Sisters of the Poor were presented with crocheted roses in honor of the “Little Flower.” 

Find Your Own Calcutta 

One of Patricia’s favorite saints is St. Teresa of Calcutta, who served the poorest of the poor as the foundress of the Missionaries of Charity. While teaching fifth grade, Patricia often urged her students to “find your own Calcutta,” reminding them that it is not necessary to go to far-off lands to discover the poor, the lonely, and the suffering who need ministering to. Our mission fields are often found right where we are – in our own families, neighborhoods, churches, and communities. It turns out that “finding your own Calcutta” can also be a lot of fun, as the ladies enjoy a few laughs each week, and they often share a special treat at the gathering. The meeting begins with prayer, followed by instruction on the current project and a time to converse and enjoy fellowship as they crochet.  

Patricia’s vision for the future is to bring the mission to surrounding schools and churches, inspiring others to learn the art of crochet and to share their creations with vulnerable groups in their own areas. She hopes to share the joy of working together to create “something beautiful for God” with like-minded Christians who are interested in a unique mission. They hope to begin doing this by making a crochet “road trip” to a neighboring parish this summer.  

Gifts That Say, "You Are Loved” 

Growing up, I received many a cozy pair of slippers and warm scarf crocheted by my own grandmother and presented as thoughtful presents for birthdays and Christmases. These cherished gifts were her special way of saying, “I love you” to her grandchildren and others around her. Not only did she create colorful gifts for her loved ones; she also taught us how to crochet, patiently demonstrating how to hold the hook and gently pull the yarn through the loop for a basic stitch. Many years later, my grandmother’s lessons a sweet memory, I am relearning the skill of crochet, and it is a joy to be able to pick it up again as a new member of Saint Charlotte’s Crochet Crew.  

It is a blessing to be able to join these generous women and their mission to bring hope and a smile to others. Jesus said that at the last judgment, the King will say to the righteous, “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40) When we minister to the suffering among us, we are really serving Jesus Himself. Saint Charlotte’s Crochet Crew is reaching out to those around them, spreading the love of God through their talent for creating thoughtful and beautiful gifts, and faithfully serving God in the process.  

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Copyright 2025 Tina Mayeux
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