Fiber therapy can help chase away the winter blahs

Every week a dedicated group of fiber artists meets in the Great Hall of the Springfield Medical Center to work on projects, offer one another support, and share their skills with newcomers.

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Fiber therapy can help chase away the winter blahs By Karen Engdahl The ShopperJanuary 17, 2017 fiber Annie Katz with several of her knitted projects. Photo by Karen Engdahl fiber Betsey Foster cuts woolen strips for her rug hooking project. Photo by Karen Engdahl. fiber Laura Batchelder and Annie Katz crochet and knit in the Great Hall. Photo by Karen Engdahl. SPRINGFIELD, Vt. – Every week a dedicated group of fiber artists meets in the Great Hall of the Springfield Medical Center to work on projects, offer one another support, and share their skills with newcomers. They call their group Fiber Therapy, and meet Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. “We meet even if there’s a snowstorm,” said Laura Batchelder, busily crocheting a colorful blanket. “We call it our ‘dedicated work time.’” During a recent meeting of the Fiber Therapists, Batchelder and other group members Annie Katz, Betsy Foster, and Kathi Byam sat around a large table in the middle of the Great Hall space. Their colorful fiber projects caught the eye of passers-by, some of whom paused to look for a moment. “We’re glad to explain our work to people who stop by,” said Katz, a knitter whose needles flashed as she talked. “Lots of people ask questions — and we welcome anyone interested in fiber arts to join the group.” Foster, who meticulously hooked woolen strips into a large tapestry as she spoke, explained that the group had been meeting for several years. “I’m not sure exactly when we started—somewhere between three and five years ago, I think,” she said. “We’ve become a regular attraction here on Thursdays.” The group meets informally, with members coming and going as time and schedules allow. Several members were absent from the group recently, including Mimi Stringham, quilter; Marita Johnson, embroiderer/knitter/needlewoman; Marilee Abbot, who makes large braided rugs with woolen strips cut from thrift store coats; Lynn Parker-Haas, basketmaker; and Kaye Peck, who does Swedish weaving and sewing. “She (Peck) made my wedding dress,” said Batchelder. The artisans create their work for many different reasons. Katz, a prolific knitter, sells her creations at Farmers’ Markets and craft fairs; she also donates knitted goods to the Wag Sale at the Springfield Humane Society. Batchelder has crocheted hundreds of blankets for Project Linus, a charity that provides handcrafted blankets to children in hospitals across the country. Foster says she has occasionally sold her hooking, tatting, knitting, and paper arts work at craft fairs, but, “mostly I give it away.” Byam has created many award-winning knitted pieces during her membership in the group. Over the years, members say they have taught one another many skills and helped each other with problem-solving. “It’s great to work alongside other fiber artists,” said Katz. “We really help each other keep going. And we’re eager to welcome anybody who wants to join us.”