Every Friday morning at the Askennonia Senior Centre, knitters gather around a long meeting table with yarn pooled on their laps to knit and chat.
The club was formed 12 years ago when local seniors longed for a place to knit together.
“It has become more than knitting. It’s a social gathering and a place for us to help each other,” explains convener Ruth Ann, who is proud of what the club has come to represent over the years.
For many of the club members, the rhythmic motion of knitting helps improve mindfulness and reduce stress. For lifelong knitter Sandra, it has been her lifeline.
“My mother taught me to knit when I was eight. I started with making Barbie clothes, then I began making blankets and clothes. I even made my daughter’s wedding dress,” she says while showing a picture of a beautiful silk gown with knitted sleeves.
Sandra moved to the Midland area three years ago to live with her children and soon after, found her place in the Knit ‘N Chat club. Many of her fellow knitters refer to her as a trusted teacher, and often go to her when they’re stuck on a tricky pattern.
