Fantastic Feedback

One of the best things about sharing stories in our newsletter is reading the amazing feedback we receive. After reading The Wonder of Knitting, Lois O. wrote a touching email to author Michelle Edwards. She has given us permission to share her fantastic note with you. Thank you, Lois, for your letter and your fantastic outreach work.

I read your memo on the Lion Brand site, and it put a lump in my throat.

I learned to knit at and early age, and was taught by my Grandmother.  I fell in love with knitting, and over several years, made several afghans, hats scarves, etc, most of which were given away to friends and relatives.  Someplace along the line I quit knitting, as it seemed like work, instead of having fun.  After turning the ripe old age of 55, I joined an organization that matches senior citizens with needs of the community.  Everything from knitting , crocheting, making quilts, calling daily to check on seniors, reading to children-and the list goes on.

The organization is called RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program).  They ask citizens, companies, yarn shops etc. to donate yarn, and each skein is turned into something not only useful but needed.  I remember being asked if I would like to help start a knitting group.  Why I answered yes, I do not know but it has turned out to be one of the best things not only in my life but many others as well.

We started out with 3 women, we now have about 12 that consistently come every Wednesday morning-sometimes more-as we squeeze a little closer and always make room for another.  We have become a group that not only is doing something for someone else-WE ARE HAVING FUN!  We knit, talk, and of course eat, as someone always brings treats.  We have been through the highs and lows together-from new grandchildren, surgeries, and death.

As you can imagine we have laughed and cried together, and from all this we have become like a family-and all due to our love of knitting.  I would love to tell someone who is saying gee I always wanted to kit, but I’m either too old, or I wouldn’t have time-to just give it a try!  It may the best thing you could not only do for yourself, but be able to pass some love on to someone you not only don’t know, and probably never will. What a joyous thing!!  I will think of you looking out your window when I pick up my needles, with a smile on my face.

With love to you, and all the knitters who make a difference in this world of ours, and they probably don’t even know it.

– Lois