Mary Bennett Lilek - Instructor and Customer Service Rep.
“I was taught to knit at the age of 10 by one of my grade school teachers (thanks Sr. Shawneen!). Forty+ years later, I am still enjoying the craft and learning something new all the time! Our family (husband Ron, son Kyle, and daughter Clare and the two dogs) moved to Michigan in 2004 and I found Skeins on Main and started attending classes. I began working in the store in 2007.”
Jen Carabio - Instructor and Customer Service Rep.
“I have been crocheting for approximately ten years and knitting for seven. Both of my grandmothers were avid crocheters and knitters and they taught me the basics. I then took a couple classes to learn as much as I could about the craft. I am very passionate about knitting and crocheting. I love the variety of fibers and colors to work with and never run out of inspiration to create something new. I especially love knitting for my two beautiful daughters (I’ve already got my seven-year-old on this awesome hobby of ours!).
Noreen Farnham - Customer Service Rep
Hi, my name is Noreen Farnham. I have lived in Rochester Hills for almost eight years. My son Eric is 24 years old and my cat Millicent is 6. I work full time at Beaumont Hospital as a fetal ultrasound technician and have been there for 17 years. I learned to knit at 13 but started up again 2 years ago so I am learning just like everyone else! My other interests are golf, gardening, and my church. I am active there in the library and women’s bible study. My knitting goals for 2009 are to learn socks and to make a felting project.
Libby Kauppila - Instructor and Customer Service Rep.
“I have knit since I was eight years old. I remember sitting next to my Aunt Amy-Jean as her needles flew through the air and turned a ball of yarn into a beautiful sweater. It took many visits with her but she did finally teach me how to transform yarn into something special, too. I am so excited to see young people today take an interest in this beautiful art form.”
Karen Kroll - Instructor and Customer Service Rep.
I’ve been employed at Skeins on Main for over three years. I’m an avid knitter and have recently begun teaching beginner knitting classes at Skeins. I reside in Oakland Township with my husband and German Shepherd, Alta. We have three children and have recently become empty-nesters. While my favorite passtime is knitting, I also enjoy gardening, travelling, and working out.”
Harper West
“Although my grandparents had a 400-sheep farm and my mom was a knitter and weaver, my knitting experience was limited to a few 4-H projects as a kid. After not knitting for 30 years, I was driving by some sheep about five years ago and the ‘universe’ told me to start knitting again! Either from cluelessness or fearlessness, I walked into a knitting store, bought two sweater projects and jumped right in. After the first sweater didn’t fit and I struggled to make the second fit, I took a class on sweater design and sizing. I loved this new skill and now mainly knit garments of my own design. Ask me how to use your yarn gauge to alter a pattern or design a sweater. Don’t be afraid of making a sweater – it’s easy and fun and very satisfying to wear your own creation!”
Cris Platto - Store Manager
“Hi! My name is Cris Platto. I’ve been at Skeins for almost 6 years. I am the Office Manager responsible for drafing and sending the Newsletters and email from Skeins as well as coordinating the inventory and many other things. I am also an instructor on Monday and Wednesday mornings, teach workshops and write patterns (a.k.a. the store ‘Knit Wit’). You may also find me working on the floor or making clay buttons to sell at the store. I love the creativity that surrounds me at Skeins and hope to see you soon so I can share some of that off on you!”
