In the morning train, there are those who have their noses riveted on the screen of their cell phones or are absorbed in their books, those who take the opportunity to extend their night a little ... And there are the others ... who knit.
On line K of the Transilien, which connects Crépy-en-Valois (Oise) to Gare du Nord, via Seine-Saint-Denis and Seine-et-Marne, it has even become the big trend of the moment. .
Since the beginning of February, SNCF has launched the “Solidarity Trikot” operation on its line.
With one objective: to provide travelers with wool and invite them to make neck warmers, also called “snoods” during their journey.
"Using knitting as a means of mediation"
Once dropped off at the station, the winter accessory will be given to the homeless during marauding.
“To trikot is to help them”, he is hammered on the little bag filled with balls of wool.
These kits are available inside the Crépy-en-Valois, Plessis-Belleville, Nanteuil-le-Haudouin, Dammartin-Juilly-Saint-Mard, Mitry-Claye and Aulnay-sous-Bois stations.
In partnership with the Parisian association "La Balade des lucioles", which helps the most underprivileged, the K line called on six haberdasheries and sewing workshops to provide the balls of wool free of charge.
Already 45 hats and other “snoods” made
“The idea is to use knitting as a means of mediation,” sums up the SNCF.
With a double stake: help and citizen involvement to help the most disadvantaged, distraction and sharing between travelers.
"I even learned to knit on a K line train thanks to a friend," says Christine, a user.
Since the start of the operation, 15 days ago, at least 45 hats, scarves or snoods have been made by users and collected from boxes at stations on the K line.
🤗🤗 @LigneK_SNCF #snood # Saintvalentin2021 #ligneK pic.twitter.com/YG6ESIxrEt
- veronique (@missveronicke) February 14, 2021
In Crépy-en-Valois, the initiative even met with unexpected success.
"I have already sent everything back to Paris," smiles an employee, behind her counter.
There were over twenty snoods.
It works very well, people help themselves.
I even had to put back kits this morning.
On the train, many do knitting.
"
"I do it the old-fashioned way, crochet, as my grandmother taught me"
Among the “little hands” of the K line, there is Pascale, passionate about knitting and who has been making the return trip from Crépy to Paris for five years.
"I've already made six and I'm preparing the seventh," smiles the Crépynoise.
At first, I thought it was a scam, it didn't look too much like an SNCF operation.
And then I saw the balls at the station.
I didn't hesitate, it's a great solidarity operation.
As soon as they put on the wool again, I take a bag.
"
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But there is no question for the experienced seamstress to make the necklaces by hand, as suggested in the explanatory tutorials from the SNCF.
“I do it the old fashioned way, crochet, as my grandmother taught me,” smiles the knitting traveler.
According to the railway company, the first knits will be distributed this week, during a marauding of the organizing association.
The operation is to continue until March 19.
