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.
