Job loss leads a local woman to make presents

By Carrie A. Mizell

After unexpectedly losing her job on August 31, Karen Bolin feared Christmas would be dismal for her family this year. The mother of two grown daughters and a grandmother of three, Bolin knew that her tight financial situation would limit her ability to buy Christmas presents.

While actively looking for a new job, Bolin began attending a crochet group that meets once a week at her church, Bethel Baptist. She found herself with many hours of spare time and little to do, so she began crocheting, thanks in large part to a basket of yarn that she was given on her initial visit to the crochet group.
Bolin’s first project was a pink Bible bag she crocheted for her granddaughter, Breanna Dyals’ seventh birthday. The Bible bag was such a hit that Breanna’s younger sister, Savanna Dyals, 5, requested that “Nona” make her one as well. A green Bible bag for Savanna soon followed.
Motivated by the delight the Bible bags brought her granddaughters, Bolin decided to crochet her grandson, Bubba Dyals, 2, a hunting hat that would keep his head warm while he was spending time in the hunting woods.
“I started the hat with a circle similar to a pot holder that you would set on a table,” Bolin explained. “Bubba was going to the hunting woods for Thanksgiving and I thought he needed a hunting hat to keep his head warm.”
With Christmas looming Bolin said she was surprised when one of the ladies in her crochet group gave her a sewing machine. Despite her requests, the group members will not reveal who it was that purchased Bolin’s machine.
“Everything has been given to me,” Bolin said, with a grateful sigh. “I feel like God is directing me right now to be a traveling mender.”
Utilizing her new sewing machine Bolin bought pillows for $2.50 each and used material she had had for years to sew pillowcases for each one of her grandchildren. She also crocheted scarves for her granddaughters to have as stocking stuffers. For her daughter, Denise Dyals, Bolin made curtains for her kitchen and an apron. She even crocheted a blanket for her son-in-law, Buddy Dyals.
“I want to try to crochet tablecloths in the future,” Bolin explained. “Right now I am making a sweater for myself that Mary Jo Cravey found in a book of patterns from the 1970s. It’s called a comfy cozy sweater.”
Though she is still looking for an administrative job, Bolin, who formerly served in the United States Army, feels that God may be leading her to be an entrepreneur.
“Every day I’m just giving it to God,” Bolin said. “My grandmother on my mother’s side taught me to crochet and my grandmother on my father’s side taught me how to sew. At 48, I think I can say that the seeds they planted back then may very well be my income.”
At press time Bolin was anxiously looking forward to making a baby blanket for her fourth grandchild who is due in August. The new baby’s mother, Jessi, often assists Bolin when she is making large blankets.
Bolin is making and selling Bible bags, baby afghans, baby quilts, scarves and welding caps. Prices vary depending on size and details of the projects. To place an order or learn more, call Karen Bolin at (352) 542-0601 or call Bethel Baptist Church at 463-2028.