Women spread love through knitting group
By Sophia Fischer  sfischer@theacorn.com

WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers WARM FUZZIES--Cathy Howell of Westlake knits for the Prayer Shawl Ministries at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Westlake Village.

When Robert Danes was sick last winter and undergoing treatment, the Westlake Village resident received a surprise gift. Members of the Westminster Presbyterian Church Prayer Shawl Ministry delivered a soft, fringed blanket they had knit and crocheted to Danes' home.

"My wife and I were so overwhelmed by the gesture of kindness and caring . . ." said Danes, the church organist. "Just the thought that people are doing this, that you aren't forgotten, is so wonderful."

Danes is one of the more than 300 recipients of blankets made by a group of 10 local women in the church prayer shawl ministry. Ranging in age from 22 to 91, the women meet every other Wednesday morning at Westminster in Westlake Village to knit, crochet and chat.

The knitters have created blankets for people who are ill or going through a difficult time, for a chaplain serving in Iraq, for children whose parents are undergoing surgery and for new babies. Each blanket comes with a card that includes a blessing and a prayer from the women for the recipient's strength and well-being.

"I always think of it as giving someone a hug, because they wrap themselves in it and it gives warmth," said Karen Brunner, a Westlake Village member of the group since its inception.

The women have received heartfelt thank-you notes from blanket recipients.

"I never dreamed the amount of emotion and good feelings doing this would give people," Brunner said. "I have gained so much more than the recipients. It's been very rewarding."

Many other benefits have come out of the knitting sessions.

"It's brought together people who probably never would have gotten together if not for the common bond of knitting," said Kathy Howell, founder of the group. "We have a devotional first; we share concerns and have our little circle and talk while we're knitting."

Howell's group is modeled after the nationwide Prayer Shawl Ministry program created in 1998 by two women in Connecticut.

Howell established the Westminster group three years ago after hearing about a similar gathering at another church. Howell recruited her mother, Winnifred Lessing, 91, of Camarillo, to join her.

"I thought this would be something we could do together," Howell said.

They have taught several women how to knit. New members are encouraged and taught as well. Learning is easy because the knitters use a soft, homespun yarn, according to Howell.

"Anyone can learn how to do this," Howell said. "It's gratifying to know that a simple thing we do touches so many lives."

For more information or to join the group, call the church at (805) 496-2394.