LYNN — The Knotty Knitters are a group of women who came together for knitting several years ago and stayed for friendship and philanthropy.
On Nov. 13, they are holding their annual fundraiser in the Sacred Heart Parish Hall.
The Knotty Knitters started to get together more than eight years ago. Now the group consists of 11 women: Rhea Babineau, Joan Barceleau, Mary Donnelly, Maria Downey, Maureen Ferrari, Jean O’Donnell, Anne Pelletier, MaryJane Solimine, Terrie Stultz, Donna Twomey, and Bertha White.
“They are a good group of people, I tell you,” said O’Donnell.
The Knotty Knitters used to meet every week on Wednesday mornings, but with the pandemic going on they cut down their meetings to every other week. They usually meet at 10 a.m. for an hour or two to knit, crochet, indulge in pastry, coffee and tea, and conversation. They avoid politics though.
“We all have something to say,” said Pelletier. “And we love each other.”
The group has its rituals. They always start with a prayer. Then they pick a paper angel from a basket that has a positive saying on it. They ring a pretty bell if someone gets too loud and takes over the conversation.
Each week they put a bag on the table to make weekly donations.
The group donates to a lot of local organizations including My Brother’s Table, Bags of Hope, Making Strides (an organization dedicated to fighting breast cancer) and the Lynn Home for Eldery Persons. They also help with individual cases, such as a family burned out of their house or a mother in need.
“We know where these things are going. It gives you a really nice feeling,” said White.
They also write cards for elders for the holidays.
But it is not just about getting together, said Stultz.
“Believe me, we love getting together. But we all want to do something,” said Stultz.
Some members of the Knotty Knitters crochet and some knit. But how do they choose what to make?
“Whatever we feel like doing,” said Solimine. “When you are a knitter, you tend to collect yarn, look at what you have and try to decide what to do with it.”
The knitters make dolls, blankets, slippers, baby hats and sweaters, and washcloths, etc. A doll takes a day to make; a bigger crochet blanket takes four weeks.
They like knitting because it is relaxing, gives them something to do with their hands, and it is fun to find new things to make.
Not everyone knits in the group, but they still find a way to help in other ways. O’Donnell, for example, colors and puts labels on the group’s items.
This week they were preparing the items for the fundraiser that is going to take place on Saturday, Nov. 13 , from 2-5:30 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Parish Hall, which is below the church.
The Knotty Knitters will be selling crocheted and knitted items and baked goods and raffling off three baskets. All of the proceeds will benefit the parish.
