Last Saturday morning, handmade scarves were strewn across Old Market Square to “give a gift” to Winnipeggers.

A group called Chase the Chill spent the past few months knitting scarves before the commencement of what Coordinator Alana Spindler calls “the scarf bombing.”

“It’s a very loose coalition of knitters who actually create the scarves,” says Alana Spindler, Chase the Chill Winnipeg Coordinator.

A total of 604 scarves were hung in the exchange last weekend. Volunteers knitted and hung the knitting projects they themselves, or others created for the event. The scarves were tied to trees, poles, and even on the Cube.

“Some people will make 50-60 scarves, some will bring one or two,” Spindler says about how many scarves her volunteers each make.

Over 480 scarves found a home, and the rest are being donated to Siloam Mission and the Christmas Cheer Board.

Spindler has volunteered in the past making and donating scarves but after discussing with the previous coordinator Val Paulley, she decided to put down the knitting needles and take up the much larger web of coordinating the event.. Her four-year-old daughter. Teagan, was also present helping her mom distribute scarves.

“I’m happy for anyone to take part of the project. I hope anyone who is in need of a warm scarf in the winter find it and take advantage of it,” said Spindler.