Cottage Grove knitting group makes warm giveaways

• Knitters

From left are Stephanie Watson, her daughter, Ashley, and Ginny DuBois, who come to the Park Grove Branch Library on Wednesdays to knit and crochet items to give to charities. The “Yarn Gang” held an open house last week to give away what they made, which was another opportunity for DuBois to work on an afghan. Bulletin photo by Judy Spooner

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Those who visit the Park Grove Branch Library on Wednesday evenings might notice that the group of women sitting on chairs among the book stacks aren’t reading.

The “Yarn Gang,” as they call themselves, are knitting and crocheting for charity, something they have done for 12 years.

Last week, the Yarn Gang held an open house to give a year’s worth of work away, just in time for the holidays, to groups that, in turn, give the handmade wares to clients and needy people.

This year, Guardian Angels Catholic Church near Woodbury, the Tubman Shelter for battered women and their families, New Life Family Service, Armstrong Elementary School and the Stone Soup Thrift Store will get the Yarn Gang’s work.

Among the 239 items were mittens, sweaters, neck warmers, dish cloths, Barbie doll outfits, head bands, hats, socks and bookmarks.

Last year, everyone at White Pine Assisted Senior Living in Cottage Grove received a lap robe.

At their next gathering, the knitting women will start next year’s work, all with donated yarn.

Nancy Schafer keeps track of the knitted and crocheted goods.

“I can’t believe we had that much stuff at our house,” she said looking at the five tables. “My husband said I can keep it in the garage as long as it fits in back of my car.”

When yarn is needed to continue their projects, it comes to them. They believe it’s destiny and, so far, that theory is working for them.

This past year, Penny Christopher and Claire Hassel moved to senior living from their home. They donate all their yarn.

It all started with Lynn Michaels, now head librarian in the Oakdale Branch Library, who worked at Park Grove. She started making afghans for the Warm Up America project. Soon, other women joined her.

There are no dues or memberships. Anyone can join, even those who don’t know how to knit or crochet. They’ll teach you.

Ashley Watson learned to knit while she worked at the library shelving books. She brought her mother, Stephanie, to the group and she also learned to knit. “I still crochet a little,” she said at the open house.

To keep the Yarn Gang going by donating yarn or cash to buy yarn, call Nancy Schafer at 651-459-4385.

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