Three years ago Marilyn Fall and Beverly Bochenek had the idea of forming a knitting circle at their church, First United Methodist Church of Oak Park. “We kind of ran with it without thinking it through.” Bochenek confesses. “We just thought it would be to do and we didn’t really have a concrete idea beyond that. We thought we would donate items to area hospitals. From that little thought, StitchCraft was born.”
Fast forward to May 31, 2008 when the StitchCraft Circle will join forces with Pleasant Home Foundation to host the ‘Sit & Knit’ an all day knitting for charity event.
“We had no idea StitchCraft would take off the way it did. There are only about five core knitters and one lives in California and ships tons of items a few times a year.” Not only has the group given items to Children’s Memorial, Loyola and Hinsdale Hospitals; they have also participated in Afghans 4 Fallen Soldiers’ Families, a national project where a prayer shawl is sent to the next of kin of every soldier lost in Iraq and Afghanistan. They also give afghans or prayer shawls to members of their congregation who are ill. They give afghans to members who have their weddings at the church, their children baptized there and for high school seniors going off to college.
The group also sells their wares at the two Pancake Breakfasts held in the Spring and Fall. “We thought there would be nothing to lose.” Fall says. Turns out they were right. The group raised more than a thousand dollars in 2007 alone. Part of that income came as a result of an invitation from Pleasant Home to participate in the 2007 Holiday Shop held at Pleasant Home. Enter Georgia Braun – Program Manager at Pleasant Home Foundation. Her husband, Glenn, sings in the church choir and StitchCraft gave them an afghan when they were married.
Braun asked the group if they would like to participate in the sale. They were one of the top sellers for the week. When Bochenek mentioned the idea of the Sit & Knit, Braun asked if they would consider holding it at Pleasant Home. “We’re always looking for ways to work with organizations and this seemed to be a really good fit.”
“Georgia is a whirlwind.” says Bochenek. I would have still been thinking about it, but she moved pretty quickly. Because of her, we’ve already received a yarn donation from The Economy Shop, Unique Freaque has us up on their blog and Chix with Stick is promoting the event.”
The Pleasant Home, also known as the John Farson House, is located in the heart of Oak Park. Pleasant Home is an architectural treasure designed in 1897 by noted Prairie Style architect George W. Maher for investment banker and philanthropist John W. Farson.
Pleasant Home is one of the earliest and most distinguished examples of the Prairie School of architecture. Pleasant Home was named a National Historic Landmark, joining Frank Lloyd Wright's Home and Studio and Unity Temple as the only National Historic Landmarks in Oak Park.
Yarn and patterns will be supplied to knitters and crocheters. The idea is for people to come long enough to knit a square or a preemie hat and booties. The squares will be sewn into blankets or afghans and items will be donated to area hospitals and other organizations serving the community. Free food will be offered and they hope to have classes and entertainment. “We’re hoping to get anywhere from 100 – 300 throughout the day.” says Fall. “People can stay for an hour or the whole day. We’ve invited craft groups from all around the state.”
There is a $2 registration fee and the form along with additional information can be found at http://www.knittersrestaurant.blogspot.com.
