Dody Patterson, 104, might be the country's oldest knitter. She was born in 1910 and for the record; she has been knitting for almost a century. In an interview with Today.com, she revealed her secret formula for longevity.
"Hard work and interest in doing one project after another. I've been busy with my hands nearly all of my life," Patterson told Today at an assisted living home in Eugene, Oregon. She added, "I feel wonderful."
She does not only perform her hobby for herself but also for others. In fact, she spends her day knitting warm wool harts and donates them to 'Caps for Kids', a local charity than gives the hats to all the children in the community. According to her, she makes an average of 250 caps every year.
Patterson revealed the benefits of her hobby, "It's satisfying, it's restful, it exercises the eyes and the hands, and it keeps my mind exercised."
Aside from her hobby, she believes that her diet has also contributed to her good health and long life. For her diet, she usually consumes fruits, vegetables and nuts. She has stopped eating beef and pork for 25 years now but eats poultry and seafood. Interestingly, she avoids dairy. She might look old but she is physically fit. She exercises three to four times a week in the nursing home gym.
Subsequently, genes may have played a role in her long life because she had a sister who lived till she was 95 and a brother who lived to 97.
According to Mona Rummel, who pioneered the charity, she first met Patterson when the old woman visited her yarn shop 17 years ago. From then on, she became a volunteer for her charity.
"She's inspirational to everybody who meets her. It just shows people you're never too old to try something new or to just keep going forward," Rummel said.
Meanwhile, her granddaughter, Laura Lambert said, "Her knitting has sustained her and given her purpose and joy in her life."