Whitehorse group gives out free knitwear downtown

More than three dozen knitted winter items mysteriously appeared on trees, parking meters, benches and light posts along Main Street in Whitehorse yesterday.

An anonymous group gave way the scarves, mittens, toques and slippers. They left them so people passing by could grab them if they're cold.

A note on each item read "I am not lost. If you need me to keep warm, please take me with you, and have a nice day."

Erin Jamieson, who works at a downtown giftshop, says she was moved by the gesture. 

"I'm sitting at the store looking at the window and they're blooming into a smile because they're so touched by it. But I think that a lot of the people walking by have been thinking, oh someone who needs it is going to come get it."

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One passerby did help herself to a toque.

"I just found a really cool hat on the side of the street. It's blue and purple and it made my day," says Silcka Hinners.

Turns out 17 volunteer knitters made the items. 

The group is called Sticks, Strings and Stewardship Yukon. Jo Stewart started a Yukon chapter after working with one in Ontario.

But the group doesn't want the credit.

Sophie Jessome is one of the knitters. She says the women wanted to be anonymous for a reason.

"Because it's from all the community and it's also to raise curiosity and bring people to the project," she says.

"We don't want it to go towards someone in particular. It's just from the community to the community."