4/03/2009

Sweet New Knitters


A few months ago Mike told me that one of his friends in the science department was sponsoring a club called Empowering Women and they were learning to knit. I really wanted to go in and work with the girls but it would have required taking quite a bit of time from work. They found a woman from a local yarn store to come in and show them the basics and started making scarves to donate to a local homeless shelter for teenage mothers. I spent a long weekend whipping up some scarves for them with machine washable yarns to add to the donation. I got a very sweet thank you note from the girls and hadn't thought anything of it since.

Well, my husband forwarded me an e-mail that got sent out to all the employees in his school this week with pictures of the girls learning to knit and a great plug for my shop. I've already noticed a jump in views this week and I checked my google analytics and well over 20 people have come to the shop through Kirkwood's server. Here is part of the email, which brought me a smile:

Upon hearing about the club’s plans, Paige George, wife of science teacher Mike George and proprietor of Lenox Knits, spent a weekend knitting away and contributed seven beautiful scarves to the cause.

The complexity and colors of George’s scarves re-inspired the amateur knitters who were becoming frustrated with the time it was taking them to knit just one scarf. After several club meetings simply devoted to the task, the ladies in Empowering Women experienced pride at the completion of their scarves and pleasure in donating items on which they worked so diligently. Club Treasurer Jasmyne Dozier commented, “It’s so cool that we are learning a new skill AND helping people. This is a skill we can use the rest of our lives!”

Kirkwood Knittery is located at 10724 Manchester Road in Kirkwood. The Knittery sells yarn and other tools of the trade as well as offering classes. Hand-knitted items can be purchased from Paige Lenox George online at www.plenox.etsy.com




I really hope they continue to love their new skill. It's so exciting to see young people embrace this ancient craft with such enthusiasm and find joy in making something with their hands. They have inspired me to do more charity knitting next year as well. I certainly didn't expect such a great promo out of it but I was happy to have it. I may actually look into donating some items to raffles and charity auctions next year to some schools.

10 comments:

Gray Eyed Scorpio said...

Cool!

Kristin said...

That is so wonderful!!

Mother Goose and Gear said...

That is really inspiring. good things do come to good people!

elsie said...

I always wonder if I should try to learn to knit... lovely story! just discovered your blog on an etsy forum thread - come on over and visit me sometime:

http://namaste-elsiee.blogspot.com/

flavoredmom said...

ooooh you stuff is so cute! Nice blog too.

storybeader said...

what a neat project! Doesn't it just fill your heart, to be able to participate in something like this? Good for you!

Patrice-The Soap Seduction said...

How wonderful! I wanna learn how to knit now:-D

Anonymous said...

Awh...that's so heartwarming:) Congrats on your new views, and what a worthy cause!

Krystal said...

Doing good for others always bring unexpected rewards:)

Go Paige!

BrigaBauble said...

That's incredible--what an experience (all of it). I tend to knit a lot of scarves in the winter, and I never thought to donate them to a shelter. Thanks for sharing this story and the idea. And major kudos on your marketing opportunity!

http://BrigaBauble.blogspot.com

 

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