On a snowy March afternoon, Northbrook resident Phyllis Kosner laid out her latest crochet project at the Northbrook Public Library, pointing out rows of the blanket that were made two different colors of yarn mixed together by hand. But this expertly-crafted blanket wasn’t made for Kosner’s home, however, it was made for a cause.
“This blanket will be donated to the VA Hospital in North Chicago,” Kosner explained.
Kosner is a member of the Northbrook Senior Center Knitters and Crocheters group, which meets every Wednesday to work on scarves, hats, and blankets to be donated to area charities.
The group has so far donated over 300 pieces to six charities, including Mercy Home for Children, The ARK Northwest, P.A.D.S (Providing Advocacy, Dignity, and Shelter) in Deerfield, and the VA Hospital in North Chicago. The best way for the group to continue their efforts to craft for charity, Kosner said, is to look for nearby opportunities to acquire supplies at little to no cost.
“When we heard about the [Library’s] craft swap, we each went through our closets and pulled craft supplies we hadn’t used into bags, and donated them so we could get an early entrance pass to the swap,” said Kosner. “On the day of the swap, we lined up early. When we got inside, we found a bag of 67 skeins of wool yarn from England, and we took all 67 of them to use for our donations; that’s how we were able to make this blanket.”
The crocheted afghan, a 38x45” blanket constructed in a bobble stitch pattern, showcases beautiful cascades of color. Kosner hopes that the blanket’s recipient will find it to be just as cozy as it is visually appealing.
“Whoever donated those beautiful 67 skeins—thank you so much!” said Kosner. “We still have half the bag full of supplies, even after making this blanket, and we can’t wait to put it to use.”
The lucky find at the Library’s craft swap isn’t the only way the Knitters and Crocheters acquire yarn for their charity projects; they have turned to other local outlets, too.
“We have asked synagogues and churches to donate their leftover yarn, and we’ve seen some good donations from that,” said Kosner. “We have also sold our handmade scarves and hats to raise money to buy more supplies.”
The group has also received donations from Three Bags Full, Northbrook’s knitting studio and yarn shop.
“We are so thankful for Lynette [the owner of Three Bags Full] for her donations,” said Kosner. “The yarn we got from her most recently helped us complete the color scheme for the [pictured] blanket we are donating. She really came through for us, and we can’t thank her enough.”
Kosner said that the group is always looking out for more ways to get supplies so they can continue making projects for charity, but no matter the state of their stock of yarn, the Knitters and Crocheters group still meets. Attendance at these weekly gatherings can fluctuate with busy lives and unpredictable Chicago weather, but Kosner says the group is loyal to each other, and to using their talents for charity work.
“We have a marvelous group. We’re like family. It’s a very warm and caring group” said Kosner. “We do it—all our work—because we love it.”
