Knitting circle with OSU students, Regent residents spans the years

Luree Hughes deftly knitted a white stocking cap, glancing down at her hands only occasionally, her eyes instead focused on whomever she chatted with in her knitting circle.

“I’ve been doing it so many years, I can do it by feel,” the 87-year-old said over the “pfft” of her oxygen tube.

Most of the group doesn’t have the same sort of experience, but that’s fine. They’re younger. Maybe by a year or two. Or more than 60.

Twice a month, three or four Oregon State University students bring knitting and crocheting projects to the Regent, a senior independent living facility on Northwest Elks Drive. About five senior ladies regularly participate in the “Handwork Hour.”

“Knitting doesn’t make any difference. It’s the visiting I enjoy,” Hughes said. She has a daughter in Corvallis and another in Albany, but the knitting circle is always a treat. “I guess I’m a social person,” she explained, fingers still manipulating needles and yarn.

The OSU students are members of the Gerontological Student Association, made up of people who want to work with the elderly someday. It’s fun, but it’s also a learning experience, and one that will look good on a resume, said Amanda Norman, 21, a senior in human services and gerontology.

“I kind of want to be an activities director at a senior center,” she said.

“It’s really nice to have a continuing event, nice getting to know the old people and their wealth of knowledge,” said graduate student Brandi Hall, 24, the club organizer.

The students sometimes talk about challenges facing the elderly residents. But mostly they talk about the lives of the women.

“I just love being around young people. They’re so nice, and I have lots of stories to tell,” said Fern Hoagland, 84. “I’ve had four husbands. Everybody thinks that’s funny,” she added.

Jean Uhler — who hails from New Hampshire, so the scarf she’s knitting is a “skauff” — said she likes the energy the young women bring. “We’re with old people all the time,” she said.

Hughes said she knits most days and donates her hats to her church, which gives them to schoolchildren.

She can’t move well anymore, and her eyesight isn’t strong enough to read for long stretches. But she can sit and knit, and that makes her feel productive. Accomplished. Good.

Especially when there’s some conversation.

Kyle Odegard covers Oregon State University. He can be contacted at kyle.odegard@lee.net or 758-9523.