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Ten women are seated around a long table, intently knitting or crocheting. On the table are yarns of many colors, plus knitting needles and crochet hooks.
As they work, an instructor walks around and oversees the activity, giving encouragement and making suggestions.
It looks like a typical knitting circle, but there’s one major difference – all of these women are totally blind or visually impaired except for their instructor, Donna Cooper, and her assistants.
"These students are making things like crazy – and they’re loving it," Cooper said. "It’s a wonderful, productive activity."
The Queen Village resident teaches the class twice a week at Associated Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Center City. Recently retired from a career that included teaching developmentally disabled youngsters, Cooper wanted to focus on volunteer work. She called to inquire about opportunities at the agency, which offers a variety of classes. When she was asked, "Do you have a skill to share?," her answer was immediate: Knitting.
Indeed, it’s a lifelong skill Cooper, 51, learned from her mother – "a fabulous knitter" – and later taught to friends, her daughter and others. But teaching her favorite craft to these students has been a unique experience.
Before she met her first class Oct. 1, she and husband Randall bought materials at A.C. Moore in South Philly.
"The agency funding was tight – and still is," Cooper said.
The Coopers bought dozens of skeins of yarn – especially the bulky variety – plus crochet hooks and knitting needles in various sizes.
From the start, her students were attentive and eager. And, for the instructor, there were new challenges.
"You have to approach this with enough patience," she said, "and you have to describe everything very clearly because they can’t see the processes. So they ‘see’ with their hands."
She also learned to let her students guide her.
"They know themselves best and they share with us what works and what doesn’t work," she said.
At first, there was just the Tuesday class from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. But as interest grew, a Thursday class was added. The students, whose ages range from 25 to 82, come from all over the city using SEPTA’s Paratransit to make their way to the class.
Many started out with no knitting experience; others had some, but from long ago.
"But even when they haven’t done this for years, there’s still muscle memory and it returns," Cooper said.
FROM THE START, Cooper was aware her students may get discouraged.
"I asked all of them to commit to a specified length of time. I told them, ‘Don’t give up after one or two sessions. Together we’ll find techniques that work.’"
And they did. Her students are working on various projects, including afghans, shawls, ponchos, a baby blanket and more. And they are proud of their work.
For instance, Agnes Williams, who is totally blind, eagerly models her multicolored poncho as her guide dog sits peacefully by her side. Like the others who are also totally blind, she works entirely by touch.
Nicole St. John of South Philly is blind and has never knitted a single stitch before this class. But she’s making good progress on a black-and-gold pillow, a gift for her boyfriend.
"I enjoy doing things with my hands and this relieves stress," St. John said.
Rosetta McMoore of North Philly, legally blind and a first-time knitter, is making an afghan.
Renee Reinhardt of Olney, totally blind since last March, is working on a shawl – and has already made four pillows. She, too, is a knitting novice.
"I didn’t think I could do it until I came here," she said, "but Donna showed me how to knit the proper way. She’s so helpful and patient. I love her – and I love the whole class!"
Florence Bell of South Philly agrees.
"She’s a beautiful person," she said of Cooper. Legally blind since birth, Bell is making a blanket and patiently counts out the stitches.
Of course, it hasn’t been instant success for any of these students. For one pupil, the challenge was finding the right size needles.
"It took her about five tries, but now she’s knitting," Cooper said.
She also recalls the student who struggled mightily to complete just one row completely on her own.
"And when she did, she jumped up and hugged the nearest volunteer," Cooper said.
As she speaks, she keeps her eyes on her students. Some peer intensely at their needles and work laboriously. For others, it comes more easily. Cooper’s rapport with her class is evident. As the needles click, she walks around and stops to examine each person’s work, making sure they’re knitting correctly, checking that they are using the right needles, and offering encouragement.
"Judy, you’re doing much better – it looks straighter," she says to one student as she holds up a scarf still in the early stage.
To another, she says, "I think it’s too wide," as she looks at the yarn. Since the student wants to use it anyway, Cooper says, "sure, if you like it, do it the way you want."
While Cooper supervises, five volunteer assistants work closely with the group for almost one-on-one attention. Two volunteers are from South Philly: Fluffy Palmer and Judy Wolk. Both have been working with Cooper since the class began.
This is not Cooper’s first experience working with blind and visually impaired students. As a teenager, she participated in a Saturday recreation program for blind teens and adults. Even then, she was skilled enough to assist in a knitting class.
"I learned that people can do almost anything with a little help," she said.
After earning a master’s degree in administration, Cooper held various positions: she was a teacher for developmentally disabled children and worked in early intervention programs. An l8-year resident of Queen Village, Cooper raised a son and daughter there and served for a time as the Home and School co-president for Meredith Elementary. She also served as a substitute teacher there.
"But then I stopped working and I decided I wanted to do volunteer work," she said.
That’s when she called the Association for the Blind and suggested the class.
"They loved the idea right away," she said.
And, ever since, she’s loved the experience.
"It’s a privilege to share this skill with people who really want to learn," she said. "I absolutely love doing this. It’s been a pleasure from day one."
Her students are not only learning a new skill, but are developing close bonds.
"They’re now a cohesive group who talk and share their lives," she said. "So it’s evolved into a wonderful support group – and a true knitting circle."
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For more information about volunteer opportunities at the Associated Services for the Blind, 919 Walnut St., call Linda Gaffney at 215-627-0600 ext. 3275
For more information about the classes at Associated Services for the Blind, including the knitting class, call Barbara Levin at 215-627-0600 ext. 3259.
Donations of yarn and related supplies are welcome and needed for the knitting class. To make a donation, call 215-627-0600 ext. 3278.
