Larry Abernathy has always had a mind for numbers. In third grade, he consistently finished his math tests long before his classmates, and that’s when he first discovered a different kind of skill: crochet. His teacher, Mrs. Weatherford, noticed his early completion of work and introduced him to a pair of crochet hooks to keep him engaged while others finished their assignments. Over the months that followed, she patiently taught him the basics, sparking a passion that would quietly follow him through the decades. Today, more than fifty years later, Larry is using that early skill to bring warmth to the most vulnerable members of his community.
Larry spends his days crocheting lap blankets, hats, and scarves for homeless men, women, and children.
“It’s very gratifying. It’s important for me to help keep people warm,” Larry says simply, though the impact of his work runs far deeper.
When he isn’t volunteering at Meals on Wheels, Larry can be found on his couch, his puppy Jinx curled up beside him, surrounded by six or seven bins filled with yarn and ongoing projects. He often spends up to eight hours a day—and sometimes even more—crocheting for RSVP Project Warm-Up, a local non-profit dedicated to providing handmade winter gear to those in need.
“I love that group. I’ve been blessed to be part of it,” Larry says, standing beside a table overflowing with his colorful creations, each stitch a testament to care and dedication.
Larry is one of 150 volunteers who knit, crochet, and sew warm clothing and blankets. Last year alone, the team produced 15,000 items, donating them to around 40 non-profits and homeless shelters. For Larry, the highlight isn’t just the crafting—it’s the distribution.
“That’s like my Super Bowl of Project Warm-Up. And anyone who knows me knows I’m a big football guy,” he laughs.
His dedication comes from more than just a love for yarn. Larry knows firsthand the cold and uncertainty of life without a home. About ten years ago, he experienced homelessness himself, sleeping in garages, parking lots, and back porches.
“I wouldn’t wish it on anybody. If I can help someone in even a small way, I’m 100% in,” he says.
After roughly six months of struggling, Larry was able to get back on his feet—and back to crocheting.
“When I was down and out, so many people stepped up to help me. Somewhere along the line, I knew I had to pay it forward,” he reflects.
And so he does, one double crochet stitch at a time. His tireless work has earned him a fitting nickname: Crochet Dude. Larry is quick to joke about it, noting that he doesn’t know many other men who spend their free time crocheting.
“People will say, ‘This man crochets?’ and I tell them, ‘I’m crocheting, yes, I crochet.’ I think it’s hilarious, and I love it,” he says with a grin.
For Larry, the real joy comes when he sees someone around town wrapped in one of his blankets or wearing a “scat,” a creative cross between a hat and a scarf. Knowing his handmade creations are providing warmth—and comfort—fills him with pride.
“It warms me up,” he says simply, the sentiment as genuine as the countless stitches in every blanket he makes.
