Community tree brings together dozens of hands and hearts

Community projects often overflow their initial banks, bringing people together in unimagined ways. Such is the case with a Christmas tree project dreamed up by a local resident in memory of her mother. The Spirit of Christmas Community Tree, made entirely of hand crocheted granny squares, is now on display at the Tuscarawas County Public library. 

The idea stemmed from a similar tree in New York a few years ago. “This crocheted Christmas tree was all over social media,” said project coordinator Cathleen Misko. “My mom and I looked at that tree and kind of ‘oohed and aahhed’ about it.” Misko’s mother has since passed away and the Christmas tree project began as a way to honor her memory.

“She had insisted that I learn how to crochet as a teenager,” Misko said. “So I knew how to do that already.” 

She began in March with a Youtube video asking for help with crocheting granny squares for the project, which drew a much larger response than she anticipated. “I spoke with the Dover Library and the Tuscarawas County Library who were both happy to display the tree after it was finished,” said Misko. 

Soon, she was receiving little Christmas squares from many people. “One dropped off more than 100 squares,” she said. “A classmate of my mom’s sent squares. People who didn’t know how to crochet donated yarn, others donated money. It was really amazing.” 

In the end, more than 60 people contributed to the project, including Misko’s friend, Sherri Perry, who crocheted a Moravian Star for the top of the tree. “That’s at the very top of the tree,” said Misko. “Below are squares made of “stained glass” yarn representing other area churches. Below that are squares representing all the schools in Tuscarawas County. We wanted this to be about community, and that seemed like a great way to do that.” 

The finished tree was unveiled Saturday, Oct. 15 at the Tuscarawas County Public Library in New Philadelphia, where it will be displayed through the holiday season. “That day, there were 25 people there of the 60 who helped,” said Misko.”

The only requirement asked of contributors was to aid in continuity from square to square. “The squares had to be five rounds with the final round in some shade of green” said Misko.” 

“We ended up with every shade of green you can imagine, from deep forest green to light lime,” said Perry. “We have all the greens, that’s for sure.” The final tree is 11 feet tall, with squares left over. The ladies are working to find a use for the remaining squares. 

After Christmas, the tree will be stored until next year, when it will be seen again at the Dover Public Library for Christmas 2026. “After that,” said Misko, “we will just have to see where it goes next. We would love to hear from anyone who has some idea of a good public place to put it up in 2027.”

Perry said the project met goals both literal and unexpected. “Bringing people together was the goal,” she said, “and we were certainly successful.” 

The pair offered lessons in crocheting for beginners at local libraries , the county Senior Center and at Pindrop Shop in Uhrichsville. “So there are people who didn’t know how who are now telling us they’re making baby blankets. It was been quite a thing,” said Misko. “This has introduced me to so many people I wouldn’t have met otherwise. My mom had a great love of community, and that came through here.”