RUMFORD — Sue Bartash, a charter member of the Rumford Hospital Caring Stitchers, has knitted and crocheted more than 200 comfort covers in the less than two years the Caring Stitchers have been at work.

Two years ago a small group of hospital employees, including Bartash, began to gather after work to knit and crochet lap robes to give to inpatients. Patients take their lap robes home with them, and many have brought theirs back when they have made return visits to the hospital.

Caring Stitchers includes people from the community as well as hospital staff and quilters and sewers of fleece robes in addition to the original yarn crafters. Some crafters work at home, delivering their covers to the hospital. Some work mostly during the weekly Monday afternoon group sessions at the hospital.

“We always welcome more stitchers and quilters, whether they want to join us in our group sessions or work at home,” said Charlene Cooper, another of the charter members. “And donations of yarn are appreciated, too, as many of our knitters could do more if they had the materials.”

Call Cooper at 369-1038 for more information about the Caring Stitchers and how to donate to the program.