Thanks to 10 local knitters, Mr. PG is sporting a 13-metre scarf to remind residents of the value of giving

Clasine van Adrichem had been enjoying her time with friends knitting mini-scarves for the plush toys of Mr. PG, the mascot of Prince George, B.C., which were to be given away during the World Women's Curling Championship in the city in March.

But when the event was cancelled due to COVID-19, so were her weekly gatherings with her pals.

As the province reopened in the summer, van Adrichem came up with a bigger project to reconnect with her friends: to make a gigantic scarf for the eight metre-tall Mr. PG statue itself.

Van Adrichem and nine other women — ranging in age from 67 to 92 — congregated weekly in Prince George's Lheidli T'enneh Memorial Park to weave the 13-metre long accessory for the city's landmark, which celebrated its 60th birthday in May.

On Monday, Mr. PG finally got to put it on.

Each member of the team knitted two to three squares, with a total of 25 making up the final scarf. The squares are different colours that represent local organizations and sports teams.

"Each square probably took close to 10 hours," van Adrichem told Carolina de Ryk, host of CBC's Daybreak North.

The weekly knitting sessions in the park were a lifesaver for Sally McLean, who felt isolated at home and didn't get much social support for the first three months of the pandemic.

"We talked about the weather, and we talked about each other's families and how everybody was doing," McLean said. "We just supported one another in that way as we continued to knit."

The women normally make mittens, toques, scarves and sweaters for families in need and give much of their time to support local charities.

Van Adrichem hopes Mr. PG's scarf will serve as a reminder to Prince George residents about the importance of giving.

"There are so many here in the city who need support," she said. "We hope that people will be generous and provide people with something they really need, whether it be food or clothing, at this time of year."

Members of the public now have a chance to own a human-size replica of Mr. PG's scarf hand-knitted by van Adrichem, McLean and their teammates. To be in the running, the City of Prince George is encouraging people to comment on its social media channels, stating which nonprofit organizations they've donated to, by Dec. 21.

Tap the link below to listen to Clasine van Adrichem and Sally McLean's interview on Daybreak North:

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