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A group of ladies meets weekly, chatting and stitching, surrounded by their work. Extra large plastic tubs overflow with blankets and stuffed animals in shades of bubblegum pink, sky blue and mint green at the North Shore Senior Center. The items will soon be given away to help others in need, but through the knitting and crocheting the women are also helping themselves.
Every Wednesday, the NSSC Stitchers meet for three hours to knit and crochet items, which are later donated to people in need – such as the homeless, victims of domestic abuse, unwed mothers and Project Linus, a nonprofit that provides security blankets to children in need.
“These ladies do great things,” group facilitator and volunteer Ruth Silverman said. “They are dedicated and sweet.”
A typical Stitchers’ meeting involves discussions of everything under the sun -– from food to knitting techniques -- all whilst the ladies knit up a storm.
“The joke is: This is our therapy session,” Silverman said. “Instead of paying a shrink, we analyze our own problems.”
The conversation at the April 16 meeting jumped from pleasant dining experiences to teasing members about how many sewing machines they own. There was also a pep talk for those learning to crochet.
While it may seem like fun and games, Assistant Director in the Lifelong Learning Department Rose Carroll said that the ladies are not only helping others; they are helping themselves too.
“This is a vital group and it helps them get their minds off their problems,” she said. “They form friendships here, check on one another and have a support system.”
Caroll said that the senior center did not start the group. She cited Silverman as the creator and said it shows how dedicated the volunteers and people involved are. Since, they took the initiative to start the group.
Irene Boldt of Northfield, who has been a Stitchers member for approximately one year, said she started knitting when her mother was sick years ago and she initially started making hats. She feels like the group does provide her a sort of therapy.
“I enjoy making things and it’s a good feeling to think we do this for someone who needs it,” she said.
Boldt said she enjoys the group so much, her husband has to make her leave.
Kay Corfield of Northbrook joined the group two months ago when she discovered she could fit it into her schedule after she spent time at the NSSC’s fitness center.
“It’s a very friendly group of people and I enjoy being with them,” she said. “We’re doing something worthwhile and that’s important to me.”
There are women who cannot come to the group each week, but still are very involved. Silverman said there are group members who aren’t very mobile who come in, pick up some yarn and come back with armloads of finished items.
Silverman said the group is always looking for new members to help.
The April 16 meeting was the first for Glenview’s Sandy Lerner who said she was looking for a class that would also provide some therapy and she thinks she’ll come back to the Stitchers.
Caroll said she suggests the group because many of the women can sympathize with loved ones members aging and dying. The group helps keep their minds off of problems.
At the next meeting on April 23, Judi Goldman, the regional director for Project Linus, will be stopping by at 9:30 a.m. to give an informal presentation on the organization. The public is invited to attend.
The group is always looking for yarn donations, specifically worsted weight acrylic yarn which Silverman said is best for allergies and doesn’t shrink like wool.
