There is more than the flu that’s catching these days.

Over at Abbeyfield House on Sperling Avenue in North Burnaby, you’re likely to hear the clicking of knitting needles and see as recycled wool is transformed into colourful toques and scarves—produced by octogenarians for Burnaby families in need of warm woolies for winter.

Credit this hive of industry, in part, to the folks at Confederation Seniors Community Centre, who organize and distribute hundreds of knitted articles annually.

When a newcomer to Abbeyfield Burnaby joined the seniors centre and learned of this worthwhile project, she took a huge bag of donated wool back to the residence and started knitting the first toque in the sunroom where residents gather for afternoon tea.

She had heard of the knitting prowess of one of the residents, Jessica, who, when asked to help untangle an error in the knitting, happily tucked the needles under her arm and hasn’t stopped since.

Next came Maria, who timidly took some wool, disappeared to her room and proudly returned two days later with a lovely scarf.

Although she indicated that once was enough, she continues to knit, knowing the need is great.

Other residents began to make the sunroom an regular stopping place, watching the progress and sharing some humorous anecdotes. Their noisy gales of laughter can often be heard on the second floor of the house.

Not only did residents join in, but some young volunteers from the local high school have been impressed by the speed at which the scarves and toques came together, and have asked if they could learn to knit as well.

For the folks at Abbeyfield, it’s been a wonderful period of activity: seeing recycling in action, a reviving of old skills, and the involvement of several generations as a result of that first toque knitted at the end of August.

To date, the Abbeyfield Knitting Nellies have produced 50 toques, 15 scarves and various other articles such as tea cozies, slippers and dishcloths.

They happily joined with other volunteer knitters in giving all these items to the seniors centre on Oct. 21, which was the annual “Warmer Wednesday” for the many families in need of warm clothing for the cold winter months.

• Betty Griffin is an “Abbeyfielder” and got the Knitting Nellies started at the residence.