"Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.
I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will be as one. "
~John Lennon


Tuesday, April 17, 2012

The Needlers

Every Friday morning I walk or ride my bike to the senior center in the morning to join others like me. We are the Needlers. Some of us crochet, some embroider, some needle point, some knit, and some say they will bring their mending!

The best part about the Friday morning Needlers group is the companionship. We show each other what we are working on, the ones with more experience help the beginners, each of us is encouraged and praised for our efforts. Since I started going to the Needlers group, I have crocheted four hats, two neck scarves, some snowflakes for next year's Christmas tree, am currently working on a vest, and I crocheted a toy ball for my sweet cat.

Some women stop by to visit with us while we work on our projects.

Occasionally the local nursing home transports a couple elderly women to sit with us in their wheel chairs and enjoy the conversation and then stay for the lunch. The conversations run from the colors of the work itself to books we are reading to the weather. That last one is so much more fun for me now that I live in a part of the country that has weather changes.

Here is a sampling of the crochet projects I completed:


19 comments:

Ms. A said...

How awesome! My grandmother was never able to teach my mother how to crochet. She taught me and I taught my Mom and then I promptly forgot how to do it! My Mom used to crochet like a fiend. I tried knitting when I was young, but never really got the hang of it.

Good job, Cici... I'm impressed. They look great!

LL Cool Joe said...

Wow they look very professional! You look good in a hat too. :)

Jeni said...

Nice. Very, very nice! I like to crochet at times but have difficulty with my gauge and tend to end up with things that are often a bit lopsided =like a baby afghan that is a bit wider at the end where I finish than the end where I started! LOL I always thought knitting was easier because you only have 2 basic stitches -knit and purl -and everything is a variation of that but crochet is pretty much the same with single crochet and variations of that I guess, isn't it? But crochet is also much faster -in my opinion -and that's its real redeeming thing to me!

DJan said...

Oh, I like that hat in the second picture. That's a cool beret style that looks very elegant. Nice scarf to match, too! :-)

Jeanie said...

Very nice job on those projects and how nice to be able to work on them while enjoying the company of a group of friends. I keep intending to start knitting again, but I think I would need lots of help doing anything but a simple blanket.

stephen Hayes said...

My wife once tried to learn how to knit and all she managed to do was tie her fingers together. She has other abilities, though.

Bill Lisleman said...

nice work! The companionship works even better I bet.

Hilary said...

Those are quite the stylish creations and such a beautiful mode. I can't knit or crochet.. don't really enjoy it but I always used to love to embroider.

Back when I had young kids, a few friends and I would get together on Tuesday nights to do whatever stitching (or craft projects) we needed or wanted to do. We'd all do a lot more gabbing (whining) than stitching but it became known as our Tuesday night Stitch and Bitch. ;)

Abby said...

Great CiCi! Thanks for sharing these. And the group camradrie sounds wonderful!

Liz Mays said...

Oh wow, you are really good at needling! I love that you've found a group to chat and stitch with!

CiCi said...

Ms.A, I think it is kind of nice that your grandmother taught you and then you taught your mom.
Did your mom make things for you?

Joey, thanks, I take it as a big complement from someone who wears a hat.

Jeni, crochet has quite a few different looks. I remember 40 years ago making a shawl using the shell stitch. I will play around with that and make something with that stitch again some day.

DJan, that was the first thing I made when I began crocheting again after over 40 years. I am enjoying the crocheting immensely.

The Needlers has turned out to be a calm, enjoyable two hours each week to all of us who gather together on Friday mornings. I think the word is getting out about the fun time we have.

Stephen, I have been hearing of some of your wife's talents in you blog. I know she is a hero when it comes to spiders.

Bill, yes, I would say that the visiting time is awesome.

I will relay your Stitch and Bitch story to my Needlers friends this Friday. Great story, Hilary. Thanks for sharing it.

Abby, I sent these photos to my mom where she is resided in assisted living facility and she thinks I am mucho talented! She asked my brother to get frames for the photos. Ha.

Liz, crocheting is something is fun and peaceful for me. A great thing to take with me and work on when I wait for appointments etc.

Joanna Jenkins said...

Wow, CiCi-- Your knitting is beautiful and suits you very nicely. Maybe there's an Etsy Shop in your future???

So glad the Senior Center is close enough to walk to ride too--

My nephew runs the Senior Center in his community in Ohio. He absolutely LOVES his job.

xo jj

Debby@Just Breathe said...

I love what you made, very pretty.
I'm glad you keep yourself busy and join in!

CiCi said...

Joanna, It is a happy place indeed that enjoys the seniors in the community. Your nephew must be a loving and caring man. The director at our senior center is only mid thirties and she is attached to all the seniors in the area. She has a lot of paperwork for the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging, but she does the cooking and interacts with the board and with ENOA.

As to an etsy shop, I don't see that at this time. But you never know, right?

Debby, at first it was such an effort to join in and make friends and get to know people. Now I am involved and busy and it has made quite a difference in my life.

Brian Miller said...

these are so cool...i def love the hats....and glad you share that moment with others as well...you have a beautiful heart cici

Claudya Martinez said...

Look at you in your awesome creations! I used to be in a knitting group and it was so much fun and such a great way to socialize. I don't get to knit anymore. I don't think I would even remember how to cast on.

Manju Modiyani said...

Nice projects..Its so beautiful, And i loved colors too...and u look so cute! :D

terri said...

The Senior Center is such a positive part of your life. I'm glad you find such fulfillment there. And you are quite a talented needler!

Stickup Artist said...

I'm trying to catch up! I'll get to the rest soon, but I couldn't resist Your Cuteness and your gorgeous knitting! I also couldn't help but notice your bookshelves (filled to the brim) and your wonderful sunny window, all cozy and snug, you look so happy!