THE KNIT WITS
Featured in Photo: Min Dahn, Anne Hartkopf, Susie Drane, Sara Gramentine, Betty Hills, Irene Lipo, Ilse Haberer, Anne Hazelwood, Darlene Walters, Natalia, Inge Ferosie, Gretchen Petraske, Mary Ellen Winter, Carol Waugh, Mary McAndrews, Anne Brooks, Judy Ford and Betsy Axelrod.
NO NEED TO SPIN A LONG YARN TO KNOW HOW AMAZING THESE LADIES ARE!
Humorously referring to themselves as the Knit Wits, this vibrant group of avid stitchers – more on that in a minute – gathers twice a week to create while enjoying each other’s company.
Originally organized as a knitting group by former resident Liz Pfeifer in 2012, the troupe is now led by Mary McAndrews and has expanded to include all varieties of needlework.
The Art Studio on the second floor of the North Tower provides a spacious, brightly lit environment for knitting, crochet, needlepoint, sewing and quilting. Novices and experts alike are invited to join the Knit Wits & Stitch Wits. Participants drift in as other obligations permit and stay as long as the conversation is lively.
Skilled craft persons and newbies work side-by-side on both personal projects and articles destined for donation. In the last two years, hats, mittens and scarves have been given to 16 different Milwaukee area charities. Saint John’s residents also benefit, finding relief from the chill in the CAC’s, The Chapel, Taylor’s and the Care Neighborhoods by wrapping themselves in the Knit Wits brightly colored homemade shawls. Further, Holiday Marketplace sales of a wide variety of handmade items resulted in donations of nearly $3,000 to the Foundation’s Community Impact fund since 2022. Recently, volunteerism has extended to include mending services, sewing on a button or two to help fellow residents, particularly helpful to those with low vision.
RECENT WORK: MAKING A TEDDY BEAR
Neighbors Ilsa Haberer and Min Dahn have been making a bear for Ilsa’s granddaughter.
“We cut apart an old mink jacket she had. We’ve had so many laughs trying to make him look good!! Tonight we finished!”, reported Ilsa.