Here In My World: ABSENCE EXPLAINED?

Your queen is chagrined. We knew we had not been speaking to our peeps but didn't realize it had been a month! Please accept apologies.

Lots has been going on. The most consuming thing was organizing and installing an exhibit on the needle arts at our local historical museum. When this sort of became our project, we hadn't a clue the amount of time it would take. Days and days and days and hours and days.

Now that it is installed and open, it is pretty impressive even if we do say so ourselves. And generous comments from others have helped, too. But rather than retell the story, we'll just copy some of the info from 'official' papers -- put up a few photos -- and let it go.

And boy did this queen learn a lot about all kinds of needle work, it's history, etc. Fascinating stuff peeps.

THE DOLL THAT STARTED IT ALL

The discovery of this Barbie doll in a local thrift store is what inspired this exhibit.

One of the members of Knit Wits & Pearls of Wisdom is an intrepid thrift store shopper and has a passion for ‘saving’ beautiful things.

On one of her trips she spotted this doll. OK. But what she saw was the incredible skill it had taken for someone to crochet her outfit. She snatched up the doll (actually one of her more expensive finds) not knowing what she would do with it but that it must be ‘saved’.

She brought it to show the group and that evolved into this exhibit. Comments like “Oh. That belongs in a museum!”, “That is incredible work!”; “Can you believe the detail?”

As the thought took shape, many members mentioned having things that had been handed down to them; techniques that have almost been lost; etc. Some of those things are what you see in this exhibit.

It is meant to inform, educate and inspire. But in no way is this a total picture of types of work done by the women (and men) before us.

It is thought that this outfit is something that would have been worn in the Antebellum Period - before our Civil War. Think “Gone With the Wind”.

Dedicated to artisans past and present.

This exhibit is presented by the

Knitwits and Pearls of Wisdom

Special thanks go to all those who contributed their talents, heirlooms, time and knowledge to bring it together. It is not meant to be a complete historical picture of these arts but snapshots of past and present techniques.

For more information on Knitwits and Pearls see the handout available here. For specific questions contact the Hageman Library in Porter, Indiana.

The group meets every Thursday at the Hageman Library 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Newcomers and visitors are always welcome.

KNIT WITS AND PEARLS OF WISDOM

In the fall of 2009, Hageman Library offered a 4 week Lean to Knit class lead by volunteer, Claire Joile. When the class was over several people who participated in the Knitting Together group that met (and still meets) once a month at the Brown Historical Museum, asked if they could have another place to meet on a once a week basis. The desire was to not only work on their own projects, but to be available to teach knitting and crochet and help people with their own projects.

This group was originally called Hooks and Needles and had a core of about 6 who are still active in the Knit Wits: Marianne Ahrendt, Tim Oberlie, Joan Palen, Carla Russell, Anne Vandeburgh and Cathy Warne.

The group has continued to grow and stay longer and longer. They asked if they could meet in the meeting room at Hageman so they could feel freer to talk, celebrate and eat! This was also when they changed their name to Knit Wits and Pearls of Wisdom.

After a few years, they decided to host a Learn to Knit/Crochet class from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. This isn’t a formal class but just a few people who arrive early and make themselves available or work on a specific project. Many have come to take advantage of their extensive knowledge and experience, including several 6 year olds who have been knitting ever since.

Members bring whatever they are currently working on. Several make and contribute items like caps for newborns or preemies, hat and mittens and prayer shawls for various non-profit groups. Recently a call went out for caps and scarves for the children at an abused women’s shelter. The response was overwhelming and heartwarming. There are several grandmothers (and greats) in the group who are always busy making adorable treasurers for the babies or clothes for American Girl dolls and outfits for stuffed animals.

The smallest number attending was 6 and largest has been 25. There are currently about 20 who attend faithfully. They celebrate each other’s birthdays and share personal happy events.

The most frequent comment regarding this group and the reason given for its longevity and popularity is that they just have great conversations. They share everything from book reviews to recipes, patterns, health woes -- but they never talk about people.

***For more information about this group, or a specific item in the exhibit, please call the Hageman Library in Porter, Indiana 1-219-926-9080.

And just a couple of pics: