ROCHELLE — Winters in the Midwest are nothing to mess with, but with the help of some local knitters and owners of a downtown Rochelle business, people in need are getting some cold weather gear to stay warm.

The “Giving Tree” is located in front of Needles Quilting and Yarn and hanging from the branches are newly knitted hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, and cowls of various colors — all bagged and ready.

The tree’s location and accessibility is a dignified way for people to get the items they need and remain anonymous if they choose. A sign hanging on the tree says, “If you are cold, feel free to take what you need to keep warm.”

The idea came to Rabecca Ladd just recently. Ladd and her mother Sandy Soderblom are owners of Needles Quilting and Yarn. Ladd explained she happened upon someone in town who had recently lost some fingers because of the cold. The ladies already had several hand-knitted items they were going to donate and to Ladd, it was the right thing to do.

Her mother agreed.

“We had all this stuff, and it seemed silly we should keep it in here when we could put it out for anyone who could use it. We have all these people who have donated all these knitted things to charity,” Ladd said.

Within an hour, one of the items had already found a new owner. In a little over a week, they have had to replenish the tree several times.

“I wish we would have started this earlier…now we are getting close to spring. We just didn’t think that way before,” Soderblom said. “We would love for people to add to it if they’d like…we don’t mind.”

So far both Ladd and Soderblom haven’t heard any complaints, just positives and say they intend to continue next year as long as the other retail businesses downtown are good with it.

Knitted knockers

Ladd and Soderblom are also helping breast cancer survivors through the organization, “Knitted Knockers.”

As a distribution center, Ladd and Soderblom accept the handmade, soft knit prosthetics from area knitters and ship to those that need them anywhere in the state of Illinois. The prosthetics are made using only high quality yarn approved by the organization that is soft enough for sensitive skin but can withstand washing.

This is done at no charge to the recipients that need them.

“Knitters can drop off the knockers here, and we send them out or send them to the home office,” Ladd said. “We don’t ask for anything from the patients, they get them completely free. They’ve been through enough. We make them their own to have.”

Ladd said they found out about the organization during a trip to a vendor show in Ohio a few of years ago. In the beginning, the demand surpassed the supply — the first couple of weeks there were 20 orders for the prosthetics. After about a year, Ladd said they knew their business and the generosity of local knitters could support being a distribution center.

In order to help with shipping costs, Ladd and Soderblom have done fundraisers at some of the local events such as the Lincoln Highway Heritage Festival. They also have several customers who don’t knit, but buy yarn for the committee who makes them.

The prosthetics are made in several sizes and colors. From there, Ladd hand stuffs the prosthetics, professionally wraps them, and prepares them for shipment. Inside is a care sheet and when she can, Ladd always writes on the card who handmade them, giving it a special touch. The prosthetics come with a drawstring and can be easily opened in case more or less stuffing is needed.

“It’s crazy the amount of people that help us make these. Once they found out about it, they wanted to help. They’ll say, ‘I’m making knockers, that’s what I’m doing now.’ It’s super easy for advanced beginners.”

Ladd and Soderblom are grateful to all who contribute to the organization and are happy to be able to assist with this and for those in need of warm winter wear.

For more information, please visit their store at 430 Lincoln Highway, or call 815-384-2107. Store hours are Tuesdays through Saturdays 10 a.m. – 5p.m, first and third Thursdays 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., and second Fridays are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.