Magic Yarn Project spreads across the globe

WASILLA — Holly Christensen used to be an oncology nurse. She noticed how cancer patients’ skin was tender and sensitive after chemotherapy, so they typically used soft beanies because traditional wigs were too uncomfortable to wear; too scratchy on their scalp.

When Christensen discovered that one of her friends from college had a daughter diagnosed with cancer, she called her up and offered her advice and some insight on what treatment her daughter would be going through. She offered her encouragement and support based on her experience as a nurse. Later on, she had an idea to crochet a Rapunzel wig because her friend’s daughter loved princesses. The wig was built on top of a soft beanie cap, so it wouldn’t irritate the child’s sensitive skin. She gave it to the girl on her third birthday.

“For anyone, it’s hard to lose their hair, but especially for a little girl who loves having her long hair,” Christensen said.

I just wanted to do something more than giving her just a cute beanie.

Her friend suggested that Christensen should make more because she never saw anything like it and a lot of people would love it. She got a few friends together and started making wigs for the pediatric cancer ward at the Providence Medical Center. When Christensen went online asking for donations, her project went viral.

“Right away, I knew we weren’t dealing with a one time project,” Christensen said.

She began receiving requests from across the country for wigs for kids they knew, to learn how they could make a wig, or how to donate funds to their project. An acquaintance of Christensen, Bree Hitchcock noticed how far this concept was spreading. She joined up with Christensen to create a non-profit organization.

Hitchcock suggested the name, “I feel like we need something yarn but magic.” Christensen took that and dubbed the movement, The Magic Yarn Project.

They set up a crowdsourcing page to raise funds. The story caught the attention of gofundme.com and they featured it on their blog. After that, over 100 entities picked up the story, including the Huffington Post and the Oprah Magazine. Christensen said that’s when the project went “super viral,” gaining international attention and spanning to seven different countries.

“And ever since then, it’s been pretty crazy,” Christensen said.

Her garage is filled with crates of premade wigs, wig kits, yarn, and families’ pictures and letters of gratitude — “moments of joy,” Christensen calls them. Over the first year, the Magic Yarn Project made a thousand wigs, involved 1,200 volunteers, and did a four out-of-state workshops. Now, two years into the project, they’ve made 4,000 wigs, sent wigs to 29 different countries, had over 3,500 volunteers, and 19 states are actively making wigs under the Magic Yarn name.

The hats come in two styles, both with a beanie base. One is the beanie style, with an uncovered top, which Christensen said is favored by children living in warmer climates. The other is a full-headed wig that has patterns crocheted over the beanie. She said that durability is key when making these yarn wigs.

“We’ve created these to really last and hold up over time because these kids will wear them everywhere,” Christensen said.

Her goal is to grow her brand and establish different chapters across the country. Once she has the funds, she aims to train chapter leaders adapt their method of crafting and bring it back to each of their own states; establishing regular workshops all over the United States and eventually, beyond.

It would be nice to be the kind of non-profit that’s large enough to have the funding to employ staff and make things a little more professional, instead of running out of a one-car garage,” she laughed.

Christensen still works part-time as a nurse. The Magic Yarn is a “full-time” job where she volunteers about 40 hours a week. She doesn’t make the wigs anymore. All of the wigs are volunteer made now. She spends more time overseeing everything in between.

“The vision of this project was initially was to not to just create magic in the lives of children but to also inspire volunteers and make a difference. A huge part of our program is brining communities together,” Christensen said.

The Highland Mountain Correctional Facility in Eagle River has a group of crocheting women who regally make the yarn wigs. She said that the inmates made at least a quarter of the total wigs made. The facility reported that the project has been a cheap and effective form of rehabilitation for the women there. Christensen visits the center twice a month and helps the inmates. The women are required to maintain good behavior to make the wigs. She said that has been motivating for many women there.

“As a nurse, I’ve usually associated success with improved health and healing. It’s been really eye opening how important for these children and families having moments of joy has been,” Christensen said.

According to Christensen, the biggest challenge to grow the brand is lack of funding. They are actively accepting donations. Video tutorials on how to craft your own wig are available on Magic Yarn Project’s website and also on YouTube. For more information about the project, how to get involved, how to donate, and to see their tutorials, visit themagicyarnproject.com