Learning To Knit And Crochet In Vermilion

Angela Mouly Reporter

Half a dozen people enjoyed the Drop-In Knit/Crotchet hosted by the Vermilion Public Library on February 1, and said the group is normally three to four times that size. Meeting every Wednesday 5:30 – 7 p.m. (except the last one each month), they work on individual projects, gaining tips from founder Fran Schaumlef - fel. She said she donates her time to troubleshoot, the library donates the space, and everyone works at their own pace. They outgrew the room upstairs and wanted to stay later so they now meet in the basement, and she said it is come as you go style with no demand on attendance or subscription. Some crocheted, while others knitted, and some were practicing patterns from knitting books they had received for Christmas, while others were using ones they found online or learned from one another. Some of the works in progress included toques, mitts, sweaters, blankets, plant pot holders, and even a Cornish Pixie from the ‘Harry Potter’ books. One of the members noted that a lot of shows have corresponding knitting books (“For example, she said ‘Outlander’ has a whole series”) providing a whole other market for patterns and projects to make.

Beginner, 12-year-old Grace Freeman, has attended a few times and practiced her knitting stitches, learning to pool, as well as increase and decrease.

“I am here because I wanted to be; I wanted to try something new,” said Freeman.

“Knitting is made up of only two stitches - knitting and purl, and what you do with the combination of those will give you the different looks. Our young member is right at the basic, while other people are working on more intricate patterns,” said Schaumleffel. “Knitting and crocheting are like apples and bananas. I do it to keep myself busy, and am currently knitting socks.”

One of the members pointed out that knitting uses two needles, while crocheting only uses one hook. When crocheting you will only have one stitch on your hook at any time, while when knitting you can have up to up 300 stitches going for an afghan. In crochet she said, if you take your hook out it won’t fall apart; but in knitting if the needle falls out, you could lose the whole row.

Originally they said the hobbies were done as a necessity, but now they are done as a journey to do something with your spare time or offer as a special gift to someone, and some felt they are becoming more popular again now.

“You can use artificial or natural fibres so it can become a costly hobby; the sky is the limit. A sweater could be $30 or $130, but it is all about the time and thought that is put in for someone special,” said Schaumleffel.

Several members were interested to watch as one of the members worked with a ball winder and a swift to turn the yarn from a skein into a ball. Schaumleffel recommended they work from the outside not the inside of the ball because she said when you work from the inside it collapses.

“Fran is so knowledgeable; she can answer all of the questions,” said a member.

Having enjoyed sharing their special hobbies together, they also went on to enjoy celebrating one of the member’s birthdays.

Dawn Hames Columnist

Cabbage and onions have major health benefits.

Research has shown that compounds in cabbage are converted to isothiocyanates that provide protection in our bodies from breast, bladder, prostate and colon cancer. A University of Otago study in New Zealand found that the isothiocyanates in cruciferous vegetable such as cabbage, broccoli, brussel sprouts and cauliflower can even cause cancer cells to destruct. A study in Poland found that women that consumed 4 servings a week of cabbage had significantly lower breast cancer rates than women who consumed only one serving a week. Regularly eating