Karen Bailey and Carol Venie, high school friends, reconnected their friendship in 2002 to find out both had cancer. Karen was diagnosed with colon cancer in 1999, while seven months pregnant with her third child. Carol had undergone surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation for breast cancer, while caring for her two young girls. Karen and Carol decided to use their shared love of knitting that began 25 years ago to do something to help others with cancer. Graceful Stitches was born. Karen told Gretchen Woodruff about Graceful Stitches and her story. Unbelievably, Gretchen’s husband at age 39 died of colon cancer, the same day that Karen was diagnosed, leaving her to raise two young children on her own. Gretchen enthusiastically joined Karen and Carol and began our volunteer knitter program. As word spread, many more volunteer knitters joined the group allowing Graceful Stitches to sell their knitted items at dozens of home fundraising events in the first year.

In March 2004 Graceful Stitches opened a small retail shop as a way to expand its product line to include yarn and knitting supplies. After a successful beginning, the group had an opportunity to expand into a much larger space. In Septemeber 2004, with significant faith in the mission, Graceful Stitches opened its expanded shop in its present location. The new shop now provides ample space for all yarn, knitting supplies, and knitted items to be displayed. It also provides a comfortable place for all the welcomed volunteers to gather and help with this mission.