SPRINGVILLE, Utah — On the last day of his two-year service mission, Elder Jason Hallock could be found what he does‚ and does well — in between the time he spends helping Springville Utah Bishops’ Storehouse patrons and restocking shelves with food items. His hands and fingers were rapidly working and weaving colored yarn in and out of the pegs of a round, plastic loom and he knit yet another hand-crafted hat.
Those facing food insecurity who come to the Springville Bishop’s Storehouse can pass by a table laden with hand-knit hats and scarfs crafted by Elder Hallock, 22, of the Provo 2nd Ward in the Provo Utah South Stake. Wednesday, Nov. 30, marked the final day of his service — during the which he has made more than 1,000 hats and another 100-plus scarves.
One could say he has warmed both the heads and hearts of the storehouse patrons he has served — and will continue to serve, since he plans to return frequently as a volunteer worker.
“It’s nice to see how well my work is doing and being worthwhile for others,” said Elder Hallock in an interview Wednesday, Nov. 30, at the storehouse, focused on the conversation while his hands and fingers continued to manipulate the yarn on the loom. “And because I do enjoy making these, it doesn’t feel like work at all — it kind of gives me something to do.”
His smartphone carries the tally of his two-year knit-wear production — just since Dec. 25, 2021, he has produced 145 medium hats, 298 large hats, 107 extra-large hats and 55 scarves. He can knock out a hat in 40, 50 or 60 minutes — depending on the three different sizes — while a scarf takes three hours.
Elder Hallock knits hats on various-sized looms and in a wide variety of colors and patterns. He’s also taught other missionaries how to make hats.
He has paid for about 75% of the yarn needed to make the hats out of his own savings and from tax rebates, and he has had some donations from ward members and others.
Provo Utah South Stake President Benjamin Larson says Elder Hallock’s story “is one I love to tell. It’s really quite remarkable — the story of how he was inspired to use this particular talent is so powerful.”
Elder Rodney Amussen and Sister Kristine Amussen, the storehouse managers, add that they love seeing children’s faces light up when they can choose one of Elder Hallock’s hats to take home.
Besides the storehouse, Elder Hallock has also served at Deseret Industries and Beehive Clothing. He plays the piano and leads gospel discussions for service missionary district meetings.
“Elder Hallock loves the gospel and the Lord and often expresses his desire to become more like the Savior,” said Sister Cheryl Esplin, who serves with her husband as his service mission leaders. “He has been so dedicated and faithful in fulfilling his calling as a missionary.”
He got his start by learning the craft from his third-grade teacher and getting a little more serious with it a couple years later, thinking it might be a way to make some extra money.
“When I first started and wanted to sell them, I couldn’t really find a way to advertise,” he said. “So now I’m learning that maybe there are ways to sell them online — so maybe later I’ll try that.”
He speaks Spanish and could be found assisting Spanish-speaking patrons. He took his turn leading the “Come, Follow Me” lessons with other missionaries before they would begin to hand out patron orders at the storehouse. And he plays the piano, not only having shared that talent with the storehouse staff but as the Primary accompanist in his home ward.
Knitting hats as a service isn’t something new just for his storehouse assignment. Elder Hallock earned his Eagle Scout award making 50 hats for the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City as his Eagle project prior to mission service.
He doesn’t drive but has learned to get around on his electric scooter and the bus, whether it has been to service sites, institute or district meetings.
With his mission complete, he is looking forward to traveling with his parents to visit family in Mexico City before beginning college at Mountainland Technical College, studying digital media.
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