Kroc Center yarn club adds whimsy, warmth to Coeur d'Alene
The Yarn Connection wrapped the Kroc Center in color Thursday, turning a niche observance into a public display of pride. The club also makes about 30 warm items a week for local need.
Bright strands of yarn turned a corner of the Kroc Center into a small piece of public art Thursday afternoon, with The Yarn Connection decorating areas outside the circle and a bench inside the building. The playful display gave Coeur d’Alene an early nod to yarn bombing, the street-art practice that covers everyday objects in knitted or crocheted work.
But the color on the Kroc Center was more than decoration. Program manager Mary Owens said the project was meant to bring warmth, whimsy and community into public spaces, a goal that fits a group built around service as much as craft. The club meets every Tuesday from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Salvation Army Kroc Center, 1765 W. Golf Course Rd. in Coeur d’Alene, a community center that includes lap and recreational pools, a full-size gym, a wellness center, an arts center, camps and classes for all ages.
The Yarn Connection’s work does not end with the yarn installation. Owens said members make hats, blankets and scarves from donated yarn for the colder months, turning the weekly gathering into a steady pipeline for local cold-weather basics. She said the group contributes around 30 items a week, building a supply that can move out through local organizations, schools and individuals who need help staying warm.
The group’s roots run deeper than a single seasonal display. It began as the “Yarmy” or “Yarn Army,” a women’s service group that first focused on knitting and crocheting hats and scarves for Operation Clothe a Child. Over time, the effort grew into an intergenerational, service-oriented circle that still centers on practical help.
That local focus matters in a county where donations remain close to home. The Salvation Army says all donations stay in Kootenai County, keeping the impact of each skein of yarn and each finished scarf tied to the same community that sees the display. The result is a temporary burst of whimsy with a lasting payoff: a visible reminder that a small craft club can help stitch together pride, connection and warmth across Coeur d’Alene.
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