Staff writer
Chris Kerns, 78, of Marion has arthritis in her hands but that doesn’t keep her from crocheting, something she loves to do.
Kerns said she learned to crochet from her grandmother when she was 10 years old.
It became a serious hobby when she and her husband, Larry, and family moved to Marion in 1971, after he retired from the Air Force.
“I always crocheted at night while Larry watched sports,” she said.
She has created many afghans and doll costumes. She has a “Doll of the Month” book that features patterns for each month of the year.
The doll outfits include full skirts, hats, and underskirts or pants. Many of them have holiday themes such as valentine, shamrock, and Christmas.
A group of Native American dolls display colorful costumes. Wanda the Witch has a black outfit.
Kerns’ Christmas dolls come out only in December. She has made Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus dolls for herself and each of her four children and has several other Christmas-themed dolls.
She continues to fashion dolls and afghans for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is working on a doll for her youngest grandchild, 18-year-old Sarah, and is crocheting an afghan for 3-year-old great-grandson Landry.
“I enjoy it,” she said. “It’s something to do besides just sitting around doing nothing.”