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Struthers group's work lends a hand
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Tammy Creighton, who organized the Chapel Crochet and Knitting Group, works on a personal project in addition to preemie caps for two Valley hospitals.
By LINDA M. LINONIS
STRUTHERS
This tight-knit group is hooked on helping others by using members’ knitting and crocheting skills.
The Chapel Crochet and Knitting Group of Christ Our Savior Parish meets faithfully at 7:30 p.m. Mondays year-round at St. Nicholas Church, 764 Fifth St. They’re so devoted to the group, that 10 participants bundled up and showed up this week in spite of frigid weather.
Tammy Creighton, a church member for two decades, is the organizing force behind the group. The mother of four sons said she was looking for some “girl time” and thought such a group would fill the bill.
She consulted with the Rev. Bob Bonnot, pastor, who gave her the go-ahead. That was five years ago. The group meets for about two hours in what is called the lower church of St. Nicholas, and Father Bob provided storage space for plastic tubs of yarn.
Four to 20 people attend weekly; participants are from the church and community. All skill levels are welcome and those who want to learn to knit or crochet will find willing teachers in the group. In addition, members of the parish also contribute to the group’s project by working on items at home.
Students learn that to crochet, one crochet hook is used, and for knitting, two needles. The two techniques are used to produce similar and different items.
The first year, a donation of pink yarn resulted in three afghans with breast cancer ribbon designs that the group raffled. A donation of $1,600 went to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
The group also has made baby blankets for Touched by Nathan Foundation, which helps families whose babies are born with fragile conditions.
Other projects have been lap robes and prayer shawls that were donated to Maplecrest Nursing Home.
This year, the chapel group is making preemie caps for premature babies born at St. Elizabeth Health Center and Northside Medical Center, an affiliate of ValleyCare Health System of Ohio. So far, they’ve made abut 25 caps with other caps being donated.
Creighton said she feels the members are motivated by “contributing to a good cause.”
Lucille Hudak, a church member since the 1950s who has been with the group since it began, said it gives her a reason “to get out” and “make new friends.” “It’s gotten me more involved,” she said.
Virginia Bartos, a church member since 1996, said she learned knitting and crocheting when she was 7 years old. “I like to get out and see what other people are working on,” she said.
Jodi Fear, a 46-year church member, also has been with the group since it began. She learned the skills at a young age from her grandmother. “I like to share a common interest,” she said. “It makes my heart feel good to do something like this,” she said about the projects. “I think it gives everyone something to feel good about.”
Creighton added that older members of the congregation have told her they are glad younger women are carrying on a tradition of making things by hand. “They seem glad we’re carrying on these skills to another generation,” she said.
Rachel Kishton, a community resident, joined the group about a month ago. She said she liked the idea of “paying it forward” and being part of a project to help others. Her mother taught her to crochet.
Kishton was helping Lisa Shaffer, a church member, to learn to crochet. Other novices at the table were Amy Moody, a community resident, who said she wanted to learn the skills. She came with her daughters, Kaitlyn Moody, 11, who “wanted something to do” and Emily Shaw, 17, and boyfriend, Luke Witkowski, 18, who became interested after Amy Moody talked about the group.
Creighton said new yarns, patterns and techniques keep the handiwork interesting and fresh.