A stitch in time: Kathy Knutsen ‘casts off’ inability

Take three lives, knit them together for a moment in time, and you can fulfill a dream. That’s exactly what Kathy Knutsen did.

It all began some 45 years ago when Knutsen was convalescing from an illness. Her mother bought her a couple of books on knitting to help keep her occupied. Since then, she’s been knitting two, purling two nearly every spare moment of her life. “I’ve knitted sweaters, caps, mittens – you name it – for my two children, five grandchildren, many of their teachers, coaches and our friends,” she admits, her generous nature evident. “Even riding in the car on family trips, I’d knit. Some of my sweaters I identify as the ‘Silver Bay’ sweater or the ‘Hawaii’ sweater,” she adds, laughing.

When Knutsen survived a stroke in 2004, she found that much of her right side had been impacted, including her right hand. “I originally went through rehab at North Memorial, then moved on to Courage Center where I eventually got involved in the independent fitness program. When I broke my arm in an unrelated, quirky accident, I met Carmel Rehnelt, an occupational therapist at Courage. We got to talking and she said, ‘There’s someone I want you to meet: Richard Parnell in Shop Services. Together, I think we can get you knitting again.’”

So the threesome joined forces. Knutsen provided the knowledge of exactly what a device that enabled one-handed knitting should do. Rehnelt worked with Knutsen to develop the dexterity she’d need in her left hand and showed her how to use her legs, lap, upper body and right arm and hand all as an assist; Parnell engineered the device, calling upon his inventive talents and rehabilitation background and collaborating with Knutsen and Rehnelt.

The result? “I’ve already completed my second sweater using the device,” beams Knutsen.

“People like Richard and Carmel are invaluable. They taught me that, if something is important to you, never give it up: You can figure out a way to do it. I guess you could sit back and let the stroke win, but isn’t it far more exciting to explore the possibilities?”