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.
Co-Founders
Jen Simonic
Co-Founder
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, Co-Founder
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.
Staff
Jean Sideris
Director, Community & Engagement
Jean learned to cross-stitch in high school and made many gifts for her family. She taught herself to knit (using books)! She now flips between these two fiber arts. Her favorite items to knit include mittens, washcloths, table runners, and placemats. Jean is an avid cyclist and loves to hike, kayak, and enjoy the many other ways to be outside. With over two decades of nonprofit experience, she is excited to be part of Loose Ends! In addition, Jean has a communication consulting business, with a focus on helping nonprofits with writing, editing, and strategic planning.
Angelica Eling
Project Manager
Angelica has been knitting and crocheting since she was five years old, thanks to the patience of both her grandmothers. While her yarn stash was recently downsized during a move, her passion for making hasn’t wavered. You’ll often find her knitting in the passenger seat of a car, eyes fixed firmly on the horizon—she’s mastered the art of "blind knitting" to keep her motion sickness in check.
Operations manager by day and romance author by night, Angelica joined Loose Ends as a project manager after losing both grandmothers and her father in a short span, all of whom left behind "loose ends" of their own. She lives with her husband, two teenage sons, and a very opinionated bunny in Southern Maine.
Board
Jessica Tomlinson, Board Chair
Betsy Peters, Treasurer, Secretary
Masey Kaplan