Woman Learns to Knit With One Hand at Upper West Side Nursing Home

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — An Upper West Side nursing home is teaching residents that just because they may have physical limitations, that doesn't mean they can't keep enjoying their favorites hobbies.

Debbie Weiss teaches knitting, crocheting and beading at The New Jewish Home at 106th Street between Columbus and Amsterdam avenues. But when she saw that some of her students couldn't knit using traditional techniques, she worked to design a system that would allow students to knit with one hand.

"I never wanted any of my students to be limited, so I kept thinking how I could adapt knitting techniques to help those students knit and crochet again," Weiss told Patch.

Weiss has helped nursing home resident Dominga Marquez, who only has the use of one of her hands, learn a technique so she can knit every day. Weiss' solution: anchor a knitting needle to the arm of Marquez's wheelchair using rubber hair ties.

Here's a video of Marquez using the adaptive knitting technique:

"She doesn’t knit or crochet the way people do with two needles, she has to use the yarn and loop it in a way that would create the same stitch," Weiss said. "It’s amazing."

Marquez learned how to use the adaptive technique in just one or two training sessions, and now she can knit outside of class, Weiss said.

The adaptive techniques aren't just for people with limited motor skills. Weiss also taught a woman who had gone blind how to knit by using a bulkier type of yarn. The woman, who had a passion for knitting before going blind, can tell the two strings apart by thickness.

"Elders [living in nursing homes] almost by definition are physically compromised, even if it's not dramatic, they are not as agile or dexterous," said Alix Friedman, a spokeswoman for the New Jewish Home. " The special skills are invaluable for people who are compromised, and are able to bring great joy to their lives."

The knitting and crocheting class meets every Tuesday at the nursing home, according to an activity schedule for the month of August. The home also offers activities such as creative writing and theater workshops, yoga and bingo.

Weiss has taught three residents how to use adaptive knitting techniques so far but hopes that as residents learn that she can teaching these skills, more people will come to her classes.

"They are thrilled, they feel empowered that they can do the hobby," Weiss said. "Dominga comes back every single week to continue."

Photo/Video: Courtesy of The New Jewish Home