As individuals, each is an elderly woman with a hobby.
But together they are the Lexington Square Knitting Club, and with more than 900 years of collective experience, they are a formidable charitable force, indeed.
The club was founded in 1992 at the Elmhurst retirement community, 400 W. Butterfield Rd., by resident and former teacher Hilda Everitt. The 18-member group has knitted more than 650 lap robes, shawls, sweaters, caps and shrouds for the needy.
The pieces are made from donated yarn and are hand-delivered to families in some of Chicago’s most economically depressed areas. The goods also go to DuPage shelters for the homeless, two health care centers, sick neighbors and patients at Columbus Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago.
“We get a request for something, and so we do it,” said club member Marie Meyers, noting that the women work as a group and individually. “If it’s a lot, we all work together.”
The club is knitting 150 infant shrouds that will be used for stillborn babies at Michael Reese.
“That is sad, but when you hear about how much these are needed, it makes you feel better,” said member Marie Olsen.
Members of the club, ages 79 to 90, said they get as much out of their group as the people who benefit from their handicrafts. In addition to learning more about knitting and crocheting from each other, the club allows the women to spend time socializing.
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“Initially, I think it was something to do,” said member Grace Radtke. “But then it became something more. It doesn’t ever seem like work. It’s fun.”
When the club began, “We had no idea how important these things would become to people,” said member Anna Tortorelli.
When a community counselor began delivering the colorful shawls and blankets to people and relating how delighted they were to get the handmade items, the knitters understood the impact of their Wednesday evening meetings said member Evelyn Smutny.
For many members, the traditions of knitting and volunteerism reach back to childhood. Taught to knit or crochet by mothers or friends, the women shared stories of knitting for the Red Cross or rolling bandages during the two World Wars. All agree, however, that the knitting they do now is just as important.
“We all came as strangers,” said Frances Knaphurst. “And we made friends.”