All you knit is love

By Emily Berkowitz, Coordinator-at-Large

The five WCA members of Luba Rotsztain’s “One Stitch at a Time” knitting group look gorgeous in the unique dresses they knitted for themselves. Their accomplishment is astounding, not only because these knitters, though experienced, had never attempted to create a dress before, but the instruction was largely done through Zoom! Their teacher/mentor was the inimitable Rotsztain, whose encouragement and kindness were as much responsible for the members’ success as Rotsztain’s knitting expertise.

Through Zoom sessions, Rotsztain patiently taught Karen Cohn, Sally-Ann Endleman, Toby Kosloff, Sara Landy and Leona Wreschner the process of knitting themselves a frock. The class, however, imparted more than creating a one-ofa-kind garment. Life lessons were woven into this project, too. Perseverance and overcoming challenges were two of them.

“The real lesson,” Rotsztain shares, “is not to give up.” And this, she says, “will translate into other endeavors.”

After leading a WCA knitting/stitching group with WCA Board member Barbara Karp, Rotsztain decided to offer “One Stitch at a Time.” She utilized a special process for the project: create one’s own design based on one’s measurements. This was the first challenge to the knitters, accustomed to using a written pattern.

“I’ve always followed pattern directions exactly, never daring to improvise,” says Kosloff. Yet, she says, “Luba was able to guide us on everything. Her method is to knit from the hemline up. She showed us how to measure ourselves so we could figure out how many stitches we’d need at the hemline and at the waistline.”

Landy adds, “Luba was an excellent teacher. I was nervous undertaking the project without a concrete pattern, but Luba was very encouraging and patient.” Rotsztain fostered their creativity, too. Kosloff appreciates that, “Luba didn’t interject her opinion as to color or design. She wanted the dresses to be our dresses, not her dresses. She’s quite exceptional as a person and as a knitter.”

Ann Endelman

Toby Kosloff

Sara Landy

Karen Cohn

Leona Wreschner

Luba Rotsztain

With each weekly Zoom meeting, the group shared their progress and numerous challenges.

“Once, when I was working on the top of the dress, the armholes were so big that they’d have been perfect for Arnold Schwarzenegger!” says Kosloff.

She told Rotsztain she planned to rip a couple of inches to fix the problem. Instead, through an individual Zoom session, they solved the problem and made needed corrections.

Speaking of Rotsztain, Kosloff says, “At this point in her knitting, she’s conquered every type of issue and creative ways to attack them. Ripping is her last option, which she rarely uses.”

Utilizing individual Zoom sessions, emails and texts, Rotsztain ably resolved difficulties with each knitter.

Demonstrating extraordinary dedication, Rotsztain was always available to help.

“Her encouragement was remarkable,” Wreschner says.

To Endleman, “Luba’s devotion was amazing.”

Besides learning different approaches to fixing challenges, they realized that mistakes were fixable, not disasters.

The group also relished the mutual support and camaraderie that grew during the pandemic.

“It was fun seeing everyone on the weekly sessions and sharing our ideas, particularly during COVID, when so many of us are isolated,” Landy explains.

“It was very special,” says Wreschner, because “the timing, the people, came together to make this pandemic more pleasant. I feel blessed to have been a part of it.”

This group was yet one more of WCA’s programs that successfully nurtured its community of friendship, even during the pandemic.

After two to three months of work, all the women finished their unique garments. Rotsztain is exceptionally proud of her group. The knitters now feel confident to begin another complex project. In fact, most of the women have already signed up for her next class, knitting a tapestry-resembling skirt or other items.

Every knitter is to be congratulated on completing this challenging project. Kudos to their instructor and mentor, Rotsztain, as well. Like needles and yarn, Rotsztain’s knowledge, patience and constant support were all essential components to the lessons learned and the finished products.

“I’m in awe,” Wreschner expresses, speaking of Luba. “We need more Lubas in the world. Her goodness brings light to whomever she touches.”

And just as Rotsztain hoped, Cohn says, “The experience taught me I can tackle anything I put my mind to doing.”