In this reporter’s article “Red hat warms the soul,” published in the Dec. 2 edition of Parkland Press, I wrote about a red knit cap I found while hiking in the Trexler Preserve.

After the article was published, a kind soul called the Parkland Press saying she knew the person who had tied the cap to the rail on the bridge.

We are protecting the crocheter’s identity, so she can keep doing what she’s doing; therefore, in this article, she will be referred to as “Girlonabike.”

Girlonabike said she started the project seven years ago when a friend was diagnosed with breast cancer.

She didn’t know what else to do, so she started making hats for chemotherapy patients, blankets for the neonatal unit and hats for newborns. Then, she started leaving hats and scarves on hiking and biking trails.

People would find them and tag her with their story about where they found items.

They also posted about what it meant to them and what they did to “do something nice for someone,” as is written on the note attached to the hats.

Over the years, Girlonabike bought her own yarn, then people started donating it.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she lost her job and couldn’t supply the yarn, so she started selling the hats.

“I have been a barber for 30 years, but due to the pandemic, everyone in the shop lost their jobs,” she explained. “The shop was closed and sold. A new owner brought two of us back to the shop. I just went back five weeks ago.”

To her surprise, people bought them, and she could buy the yarn and keep crocheting for the American Cancer Society.

“The karma circle keeps going,” Girlonabike said. “I’m blessed and lucky.”

Girlonabike was asked if she had any favorite stories about people who found a hat and what they did with it.

“I left a batch of pink fuzzy scarves in the Trexler Preserve and a trail runner found it,” she explained. “She wore it for the run and messaged me about making a cancer society donation.

“A boy found one and had his Scout Troop pay it forward.

“In 2017, I took about 100 hats and scarves down to Ocean City, Md., where there is a big homeless community.

“I also had someone find a set, then mail it to his sister in Florida who was sick.

“Hikers find them along the Appalachian Trail as well. There are so many stories!” she said.

I then asked Girlonabike why she left the red cap on the rail at Covered Bridge Trail in the Trexler Preserve.

“I left the red cap the day before Thanksgiving,” she explained. “I knew people were going to be with family and walking after their meal. I picked the red hat because of the festive holiday color and scarf to match. I thought someone might find it and do something nice for their family or talk about it.”

Girlonabike said Wehr Bridge is her favorite location.

“I met a nurse the year I started,” she said. “She was running, and she runs a program through the hospital for families who need housing. I also donate to the YMCA. During the winter months, the amount of homeless people in this area is astonishing.”

“The bridge in Trexler Preserve has become a favorite spot because it is heavily traveled, and I go check on it a few days later to see if they are gone,” she said.

“I met a glassblower last winter, and we talked as friends and for the winter companionship. I was invited to his glass studio, and he offered a free piece of his art,” she added.

Girlonabike said she has been crocheting for about 10 years.

“I taught myself while watching YouTube,” she explained.

I asked Girlonabike about leaving multiple scarves at one location.

“Last year, my hats and scarves said, ‘COVID-free home,’” she explained. “I didn’t want people to be afraid to take them home.

“The story is long and has so many side roads and other branches. It’s brought me to new people and new ways to help. A lot of us are one paycheck from being on the other side of the food bank lines, so be nice, help and give back,” she said.

Girlonabike also crochets other items.

“I make other things including afghans and ponchos, and I’m always trying to figure out sweaters and also washcloths and pot holders. My house looks like ‘Yarnia’ in the winter,” she joked.

Girlonabike says one of her best stories was when her oil burner went down last winter.

“The HVAC man came here and serviced and cleaned it,” she said.

“When he left he said, ‘There is no charge. Use the money to buy more yarn.’ So my karma is big over the years. I’m blessed.”

Girlonabike, we, across the Lehigh Valley are blessed to have you. Thank you for your generosity.