Who We Are
The idea for Loose Ends came about when the founders, Jennifer Simonic and Masey Kaplan, both avid knitters, realized they had a shared experience: Friends would often ask them to finish blankets, sweaters, or other projects left undone by deceased loved ones. They always do so enthusiastically, understanding what it feels like to wear something a loved one has made.
Loose Ends was established in May 2023 as a 501(c)3 nonprofit.
Jen Simonic
Director of Community Outreach & Development
Jen has been knitting since she was six years old. Her grandmother taught her with steel needles from WWII used for bandage-making. She was the weirdo that knit under the desk in 6th grade. The first piece she finished for someone else was a sweater that a friend’s mom was making for her dad. That mom said “If I finish it he’ll leave me. You finish it and give it to someone who needs love.” Jen lives with her family in Seattle, WA. They love her even though her stash is taking over the house.
Masey Kaplan
Executive Director
Masey’s background is in graphic design, entrepreneurship, and marketing for nonprofits. Knitting carried her through the pandemic, as she ravenously stitched below the Zoom line, where no one could see. She learned to crochet before kindergarten, learned to knit at the age of 15, re-learned knitting in her 20s, and has not stopped, even for a day. When she dies, her family knows to check the little book next to her bed, where they’ll find an illustrated guide to every project she’s making, and who gets what.
Sarita Viramontez
Project Manager
Sarita has a background in promotions, PR, and business development for large companies, but most recently was with Microsoft as a Sr. Business Development Manager (with the Xbox team for over a decade). She retired two years ago to return to school for a degree in Apparel Design & Development. When she’s not at the sewing machine, you can find her knitting, blissfully cross-stitching, learning new embroidery stitches, or at a Mariner's baseball game with her partner!!