January 20, 2005

Today's word: Fair Isle.

Today Leslie gave an overview of fair isle knitting. She explained the difference between fair isle and intarsia. Maryanne worked with our newest client on learning how to knit as well as setting two clients up on a special project: a fun fur heart pillow. Lucia worked with a client on sock making and Zelphia worked with several clients on their projects. We had two outpatients join us in our group today and because they have been knitting longer, they are able to be an inspiration to the newest knitters who are just coming to Interim House. Although we didn't actually get to try out fair isle knitting, we plan to have a workshop at a later date.

January 13, 2005

TODAY'S WORD: ADD ON'S. Leslie,volunteer instructor, showed the women how to add beads to a scarf and gave us ideas by showing some of the different scarves she has made. Lucia, volunteer instructor, worked on socks with our outpatient client S. while other clients sat by and watched. A., another residential graduate, came and spoke to the clients about her gratitude for all the yarn that has been donated. Now that she is out and about as an outpatient and visiting Michaels, AC Moore, and various yarn shops, she has a new found appreciation of the cost of yarn and appreciation for what she has been given. C. another residential graduate showed the clients another handbag/backpack she had felted. S. talked to the clients about how her beautiful scarves can dress up very plain shirts and pants and how nice it is to receive compliments from strangers about how nice her clothes are (when it is really the scarves dressing things up). She also shared that she appreciates the connection with other people that her conversations about knitting provide. Maryanne, volunteer instructor, worked with a new client on a washcloth and she quickly graduated to wanted to work on a scarf over the weekend. Another client said she would be a "knitting buddy" to her and work with her over the weekend. Zelphia, volunteer instructor, showed the clients a scarf which I have taken a photo and added showing a triple dropped stitch giving a fringe look at the end of a scarf. I want to express my gratitude to the volunteers who come in each week and to everyone who has donated yarn to us! It never ceases to amaze me that we have twenty-five residential clients knitting and crocheting and that as they graduate to outpatient they can take this coping skill with them. It also is a wonderful addition to our group to have many of our outpatient clients joining us each week as well. Please note that one of our residential clients is about ready to felt a handbag she has knitted and I have included it in the photos above. Another client has been working on intarsia and I have included a photo of her work in progress as well.

January 6, 2006

The theme of this week's knitting group was a follow up to last week's theme intarsia: "embellishments". Our volunteer instructors today were Leslie, Lucia, Maryanne, and Zelphia. Leslie explained that it is easy to add fringe or ribbon to a scarf or spruce up a store bought plain scarf or sweater. She showed a sweater she knitted and added a small pocket on the sleeve as an embellishment. Maryanne was back after her absence last week much to the delight of her fan club who she worked with today. Zelphia and Lucia had consultations with the women on different projects they are working on. Zelphia showed the women a small square scarf she had knitted and Lucia showed a knitted afghan she is working on. We had two former residents join the group this week to offer support to the new knitters. And since I have updated our group on my dogs each week, I have included a photo, but you have to find the two real ones!

December 30, 2005

Today, Leslie, one of our volunteers taught intarsia to some of the women. Others learned how to cast on, bind off, and purl. As we went around the room, the clients showed many of the projects they have been working on all week. The clients talked about how the process of knitting helps them in the recovery process in many ways. One way that was especially important through this holiday seasonwas that they were able to make beautiful and cherished gifts for their families. I have a photo of some of our volunteers: Zelphia, Barbara, Gwen, Leslie and Lucia. Today Gwen the organizer of the Greater Philadelphia Knit Out came to visit. Please visit us again Gwen! Gwen had some ideas on knitting projects for left over small bits of yarn and passed around bookmarks she had made. She also suggested a creative and inexpensive way to find yarn: unraveling thrift shop sweaters and turning them into something new!!!
The handbag in the above photo was felted by a client using donated tapestry/embroidery wool yarn. She pieced together strips of different colors using it along with one solid wool yarn. She continually gets compliments. In fact, all of the women report knitting as a continual conversation maker as they ride the buses and wait for appointments.