Ruhama's Yarn & Needlepoint

Meet Ruhama's friendly and knowledgeable staff
	Dawn S. purchased Ruhama's Yarn and Fabric in 1981. Eventually, the fabric was eliminated and needlepoint introduced in 1994. The shop had already been in business for 20 years by the time Dawn purchased it! It all started with Al and Ruhama Weiner - thus the name, Ruhama's. Dawn's been a knitter since she was a child and a stitcher for many years.

	Dawn O. has been the shop manager for almost 5 years. She learned to crochet first with the help of her Grandma. She graduated from Mt. Mary College, completing a degree in Fashion Design with special interest in knitwear. Dawn worked for JH Collectibles as an assistant sweater designer and taught knitwear design for the Fashion Department at Mt. Mary College for 13 years. Her expertise is in machine knitting. Dawn is currently a free-lance knitwear designer with designed published in Studio, Machine Knitter's Source, Machine Knit America, and Knitworks.

	Pat dropped out of health care several years ago and, after having supported Ruhama's for many, many years, switched to the other side of the counter! She has knit forever and stitched for almost as long. Her addiction is encouraged by 3 daughters and 2 grandchildren who all have different tastes. She enjoys utilizing different techniques and colors in knitting and needlepoint and eaches a full range of classes from intro to advanced.

	Emily learned to knit from the library and the internet in 1999 when she graduated from college and didn't have a TV. Her specialties include small accessories - socks in particular - and unusual shaping techniques. Emily has worked at Ruhama's since November, 2001.

	After receiving her art degree at Ohio Wesleyan and teaching art, Sally has worked for Ruhama's for five years as the in-house needlepoint designer and special orders. She is now helping out on the knitting-side of things in the store as well!

	Nancy has been knitting since she was 6. The brighter the colors and the wilder the textures of yarns, the better! Nancy teaches several different classes and she also quilts, does needlepoint and is also into beading.

	Kristin works part-time at Ruhama's and also is a full-time flight attendant for Midwest Airlines. She's been a needlepointer for 10 years and a knitter for longer! Kristin enjoys all types of knitting, especially bulky knits. Her biggest enjoyment is knitting for her nephews!

	Helen learned to knit in the third grade from her grandmother, and she has been needlepointing for over 30 years. Helen is retired from a 20-year career in human resources and marketing at a large insurance company, and now enjoys knitting and needlepointing for her two daughters and three grandchildren.

	Debbie took her first knitting class at a yarn shop when she was 9 years old. Her friends started her needlepointing about 15 years ago. In this age of mass produced things, Debbie enjoys the processes of creating and using the items she has made!

	Maria learned to knit when she was just 6 - she made an entire outfit for her doll which included a hat, cardigan and shorts. It made her so happy that she's been hooked ever since!

	Martha's been knitting since age 11 when her mother taught her to make a scarf. Her next project was a baby sweater for her cousin, who is now 17 years old and still sweater-less! Martha loves hand-dyed yarns and Aran knits but not in combination. When she's not knitting or letterboxing with her husband and dog, Martha's a registered nurse at a Milwaukee-area hospital.

	Dora first learned to knit at age 12 but really found her passion for it during high school. Her main projects include purses, hats, and scarves which she embellishes with a variety of stitches and details. Since learning to cable a few years ago, she's been hooked on them ever since, but Dora's always willing to do try something new.