From Crayons To Cozy: Kelso Knitter Turns First Graders’ Drawings Into One-of-a-Kind Hats (Photo) - 02/05/26

What began as a simple crayon activity in a Wallace Elementary classroom has turned into a surprise 23 first graders will never forget. Thanks to local knitter Amy LaFave, students will discover the “perfect hats” they designed before winter break didn’t just stay on paper—they were lovingly knit into real hats, made just for them.

Before winter break in December, Wallace Elementary first-grade teacher Ashley Lowry gave her students an unusual assignment: design their “perfect hat” using a simple paper template and crayons. The students colored bold patterns with their favorite colors, never knowing why they were doing it.

Behind the scenes, those drawings were quietly delivered to Ashley’s aunt, Amy LaFave, who turned each child’s crayon creation into a real, wearable hat.

With a circular hand-crank knitting machine and a little help from her 11-year-old grand-niece, Emily (who also happens to be Ashley’s daughter), LaFave knitted 23 one-of-a-kind hats, each inspired by a student’s original design.

The magic moment will happen on Tuesday, February 10, when students return from morning recess to find their personalized hats waiting for them on their desks, an unexpected surprise.

LaFave is no stranger to knitting or the Kelso community. She owned and operated LaFavorites, a local knitting shop, for 15 years before selling the business in December 2019. Her family’s commitment to service runs deep; her husband, Dave, served for many years as Fire Chief of Cowlitz 2 Fire and Rescue.

For Ashley Lowry and her students, the project blends art, generosity, and surprise into a memory that will last far longer than winter. From crayons to yarn, this simple classroom activity has become a powerful reminder of how creativity and kindness can come together to warm both heads and hearts.