Bartlett resident Brenda Kriss has made her long commute meaningful by knitting hats to bring cancer patients comfort.

“I find it really calming, and I think it’s important they know there are people who care about them,” said Kriss. “I do, even though I don’t know them personally.”

Kriss, who works in the legal affairs office at the University of Chicago Medical Center, knits hats and healing shawls for cancer patients on her daily commute from Bartlett.

“It’s like a warm hug — and it’s nice to know it gives them comfort,” she said.

Kriss is part of the ForeFront Stitchers, a recently formed group that knits chemo caps and healing shawls for patients in the hospital’s cancer center, as well as hats and blankets for infants in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Though the group only gets together once a month, they spend hours knitting on their own time. Kriss, who has been knitting for decades, said her favorite pieces of clothing are healing shawls.

“I pray while I’m knitting to bring the recipient comfort,” she said.

While she has knit many hats, it takes her about 20 hours to complete a healing shawl. She has made two for the group so far, which have been delivered to patients.

Agnes Salamone, a Bridgeview patient at University of Chicago Medical Center, received a bright green chemo cap after being diagnosed with leukemia last summer. She spent months receiving chemotherapy.

“After I got out of the hospital, I was completely bald,” Salamone said. “When you lose your hair, people say it’s OK, but it’s not OK”

Salamone received her chemo cap just before she was released from the hospital. She wears it nearly everyday, whether it is at the store or at night when her head gets cold.

“I always wore that opposed to a baseball cap because it means more,” she said.

Kriss said it is often difficult to help patients with her line of work, especially since she is on the other side of hospital. The knitting group helps her stay connected.

“I know being part of the group makes them feel pretty and raises self-esteem,” Kriss said. “I care about the patients, too.”