Neither age nor a pandemic has deterred this group of knitters from turning a former hobby into hand made blankets of love.
The resourcefulness of thirteen residents of Lakehouse West, a Sarasota senior retirement home, has inspired the forming of a group of ladies called The Noble Knitters. They dedicate their time to knitting for the pleasure and comfort it will give to needy recipients. They have already completed 26 tiny blankets for premature babies who will be wrapped in them when they are ready to be taken home. The ladies are also in the process of making lap blankets and shawls for hospice and chemo patients who appreciate the warmth and uniqueness of a gift that has been made with tender loving hands.
The ages in the knitting group range from seventy to ninety-six.
Some struggle with arthritis, some find it a challenge to maintain prolonged concentration, but all are steadfast in their determination to complete each piece to the best of their ability. Working together as they do each week, while respecting the wearing of masks and social distancing, has proven to be a win-win situation. It has bonded their relationship to one another. Knitting itself has given a purpose and fulfillment to their lives, something that we often lose as we age.
Life during a pandemic, which has threatened to remain with us for an undetermined length of time, has taught us that the pressures of confinement and loneliness can be daunting. It might be well worth considering a way to compensate; by renewing former hobbies, or developing new ones, for it can bring positivity into our lives and as the notable knitters have discovered, can make each day a bit more meaningful.
