Mary Ann Wilharm-Rudie’s TV watching habit is paying off for area residents.
Wilharm-Rudie, who turned 90 in July, convinced her fellow crafters to create winter warming clothing items for anybody who needs something to keep warm.
“I sit and watch TV a lot. I see things,” she said. “One day there was somebody doing this, and they were putting them on a tree for people to pick up. I thought, ‘We could do that.’ I came, and these ladies went for it 100%.”
“These ladies” is the Friday Morning Crafters who meet weekly at the Shawano County Public Library.
“We’re very grateful that the library has given this space to gather,” Kathryn Geimer said.
Wilharm-Rudie has been with the group for more than 30 years. It’s an open group with members who have come and gone over the years.
“It changes constantly,” she said.
The women knit, crochet, do needlework, embroider – and enjoy snacks and coffee.
“These are all your own (projects),” Wilharm-Rudie said. “You do it for yourself.”
“Some do baby hats for the hospital, some make prayer shawls,” added Becky Moore. “We do many things, but everybody brings their own project, whatever they want whether it’s for their self, their family, their friends or for some other nonprofit.”
Eileen Gavin is the newest member of the group.
“I came here to meet new people,” she said. “I was just learning how to knit, so I wanted to have people I could ask questions. I’m learning a lot.”
For the tree in the library’s front vestibule, the women have created hats, blankets, shawls, mittens, scarves and blankets. Everyone is welcome to help themselves to whatever they need.
More than 100 items have been made so far. The women say they will continue to donate their goods this holiday season as long as people keep taking them.
Becky Moore works on a project during a recent gathering of the Friday Morning Crafters at the Shawano County Public Library. The open group is open to anyone who enjoys or wants to learn knitting, crocheting, needlework, embroidery or other similar crafts. (Kevin Passon | NEW Media)
Eileen Gavin is the newest member of the Friday Morning Crafters. She said she joined to meet new people. She was also just learning how to knit and wanted to have people she could ask questions of about knitting. (Kevin Passon | NEW Media)
