Ellen Rubin, a Jenkintown scientist who worked for years as an immunologist, now focuses mainly on promoting the therapeutic benefits of knitting, writes Rita Giordano for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Rubin taught herself to knit during the period when she was going through a difficult time in her life. She taught others to knit as well and saw that it helped them too. Then she formed a plan.

“Every fiber of my being was saying, ‘This is what I was put on this earth to do.’ I was put here to work with people and promote the therapeutic benefits of knitting,” said Rubin. “It’s not about what you make. It’s how it makes people feel.”

First, she taught knitting at the area’s yarn and sewing stores. In 2017, she opened her shop, Luv2Knit & More, in Jenkintown where she taught knitting but also sold knitting and crocheting supplies, including locally-produced yarns.

She then began holding outreach knitting classes and programs for foster children, kids with emotional problems, and many others.

More recently, she has launched the Therapeutic Crafters on Call nonprofit. This teaches people how to knit and reap the benefits that come with the activity.

Read more about Ellen Rubin at The Philadelphia Inquirer by clicking here.