Their real purpose for those Monday morning meetings is to knit and crochet baby blankets, hats for all ages, baby pajamas and anything else that will help those in need. But judging from the laughter, the hot cups of coffee and tea and the constant happy chatter that fills the lower level of St. Agnes Church, the Knitters and Crocheters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help St Agnes Parish give as much to each other in friendship and companionship as they do for Birthright, Lunch Break and all the other organizations they help.
They’ve been meeting for more than 20 years, ladies of the church who are as nimble with their fingers on needles as they are with laughter and conversation.
Some of the original members are retired from the weekly meetings, some have passed on now, but their names are still well known and appreciated…names, like Finnegan and Rathmacher, Hrbek and McBurnie, Wallings, Grimm and more.
Today’s Knitters and Crocheters are equally adept with their needles, some learning from each other, some taught by their grandma at home when they were children, one even taught by her sister.
They bring their needles, their wool or yarn, their coffee cups and perhaps cookies or cakes, and spend two hours every Monday knitting their own creations.
Most of the baby hats and blankets are then donated to Birth Right to give to moms in need, some are adult hats and scarves that go to Lunch Break to keep the less fortunate warm. Some, including large baby blankets are sold at church functions to raise funds to purchase more wool.
Recently, when their hand made articles drew more than $350, the women kept $50 to purchase more yarn but donated the rest to offset church expenses for the parish.
“We always accept yarn donations,” a very busy and organized Linda Jacques said. Linda is unique in the group in that she does not knit…she organizes and as she puts it, “carries the heavy load.” She keeps records, handles appointments, keeps the group informed of important news, and keeps several photo albums showing happy babies wearing most beautifully knitted and crocheted colorful and warm hats.
There is a difference between knitting and crocheting, the women will explain, though both produce beautiful finished pieces. Some of the women, like Kate Diebold and Sue Shearer prefer crocheting, and have been doing it for years, though Sue says she has only been with this group for one year. “But they taught me how to make some things,” she quickly adds, proud of her friends and talented ladies.
Kate has been crocheting for more than 50 years and taught herself the craft using a book. She laughs now, showing how she was taught to hold the needle “like a pencil” and compared to Sue, to them it looks like she is working backward. “They all come out looking the same, though,” the women laugh as they admire each other’s work. Like Sue, Kate comes every week to crochet for the good feeling of helping someone in need as well as the fun and conversation of her close-knit friends.
Christine Scanlon learned how to knit from her mother in Germany when she was only five years old. “My mother wanted me to learn, so she bribed my older brother to learn with me,” she remembers with a laugh “We used to give each other socks at Christmas. I still remember the ones I gave him were rust with colorful accents.” Christine particularly likes the Monday get-togethers because “it’s just rewarding to do something for someone; my family has no need for anything now, but there are people who do. So this helps them.”
Liz Pomeroy lives in Locust and comes every Monday for many reasons, primarily because it helps others and besides, she says with a twinkle in her eye, “I want to knit” and knitting with the other women is heartwarming. Right now, she’s working on a hat for a teenager or adult similar to one she’s made before, both with a creative heart knit directly in the center. Liz credits her grandma with giving her her first lessons.
Ellen Lindberg laughs when she explains she knits “because I like it! It’s better than watching TV!” The fact that her creations help other is simply icing on the cake. She taught herself how to knit and looks at it as a means of entertainment.
Betty Anderson learned to knit from her older sister, Dolores. Betty was in college at the time and got attached to the hobby after her sister taught her the skill. Betty not only knits Mondays for the St Agnes group but also has knit scores of little infant hats for newborns at the hospital where she volunteers in the preemie and new baby unit.
The women welcome new members to join their busy and fun Monday mornings. There are no dues, no signups, no need to bring anything except a willingness to help others through needle skills. The group always accepts donations of yarn as well, be it new packages in any color or parts of bundles. Any in the group are willing to teach a newcomer their dexterity with a needle .
Persons interested in joining the group or donating yarn or needing more information can contact Kate at 732-291-4450.
The Knitters make more than warm hats, scarves, and blankets. They make laughter, fun and deeply appreciated hand-designed pieces of warmth for others in need.
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