Dateline
April–June, 2020
VOLUME 41, NUMBER 4
The Quarterly Newsletter of the Gladstone Senior Center
Gladstone Senior Center
Gladstone Senior Center
1945 Manton St., Maplewood, MN 55109
651-748-7250
www.isd622.org/seniors
Knit One, Purl Two
Come on in, the coffee is on and the conversation is lively on Wednesday
mornings in room 107A. All are welcome, just bring your latest needle art
project and join in.
Members have come and gone but
the Knitting, Crochet and Needlework
group continues to experience joy,
camaraderie and sense of service for
more than thirty years.
As far as we can tell from old Community Education brochures and Dateline
newsletters, the Knitting, Crochet and Needlework group has been meeting on
Wednesdays at Gladstone since January 1989. Prior to 1989, a craft group met
on Thursday mornings and we’re sure some of those participants were knitting
or crocheting as well. Originally, the group made baby hats, blankets and
sweaters that were donated to pediatric and maternity units at local hospitals.
Today Constance is knitting mittens for St. Bernards and Shirley is knitting
a prayer shawl for St. Marks. Kevin is putting the finishing touches on a hat
that will be donated. Karen is making knitted breast prostheses for a national
organization called Knitted Knockers. The prostheses will be given to women
who have undergone mastectomies and other breast surgeries. Others are
working on personal projects today but they have all knit or crocheted for a
cause at some point during their needlework career. Marion’s current project is
knitted hanger covers. She is making one for every member of the group!
When I asked about pattern reading, all eyes turned to Dottie. Every group
needs someone to help decipher patterns, explain gauge, and teach new
stitches. Dottie is the current go-to for this group.
Grab your needles and yarn and head over to Gladstone on Wednesday
mornings between 9–11:30 am, the coffee pot is on, the snacks are delightful
and the laughter is plentiful.
Marion will be 99 on April 1. She is
one of the founding members of the
Knitting, Crochet and Needlework
group that has been meeting at
Gladstone since at least 1989. She and
her granddaughter Kara rarely miss a
week.