Avis Dissell of Bismarck loves to knit. She finds it soothing and relaxing. Working with bright colors cheers her and the soft slip of yarn between her fingers lightens her stress.

But she wants one more thing: She wants to do something good with all the things she makes.

Specifically, "I want to keep North Dakota kids warm," she said.

To that end, Dissell has already created a rainbow of colored knit caps, from tiny to adult sizes, many with matching scarves tucked into them. She estimates she has about 200 ready to go.

What she needs now, she said, is someone to help her find disadvantaged children to give them to, and someone to help distribute them where they can do good for kids.

Dissell recently put together a display of the ones she's already made at Bismarck Sewing and Quilting, 1331 E. Interstate Ave. She's utilized every color and texture of yarn to create a kaleidoscope of caps, smooth, multicolored, fringed, even furry funky ones. Smaller lengths of yarn don't go to waste, but into headbands. She's also created some miniature blankets. Some of the furry gray ones have been used as what she calls "chemo caps," yarn so subtle it blends with a patient's hair.

Dissell has donated her work in the past to places such as local hospitals, Ruth Meiers Hospitality House and the Abused Adult Resource Center.

What she is seeking now is some help, she said, finding places where kids are in need, and someone willing to help her distribute them.

She'd also like to find a place or places to display a collection of caps, she said, where she hopes children could bring in vouchers of some kind and then be able to choose their own.

She'd also accept donations of yarn and additional knitters to help make caps and scarves.

"It's just a start," she said, of the 200 caps she's got on hand. "Who knows where it will grow?"

Dissell has taught needlework and ceramics and also paints. For many years, she cared for a husband who had a traumatic brain injury, and still graduated from Bismarck State College at age 67.

"Why did you do it?" people asked her, she said.

"To walk across that stage in a cap and gown," she said.

Dissell can be reached at 250-1219.

(Reach reporter Karen Herzog at 250-8267 or karen.herzog@bismarcktribune.com.)