Meet Our Founder:
Carla Stovall Steckline
Carla’s advocacy for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors was forged in her work as the Crawford County Attorney (1983-1986) and the 40th Kansas Attorney General (1995-2003). She was the first woman elected to each position. While Attorney General, she successfully argued the constitutionality of the seminal Sexually Violent Predator law twice before the United States Supreme Court. Instead of releasing inmates convicted of sex crimes to the street at the conclusion of their prison sentences, they can, if appropriate, be committed civilly to certain mental health facilities for intensive treatment. Approximately 6,000 inmates have been civilly committed in the US under versions of this law. Carla talked about her time in office during a 2026 interview with the Kansas Oral History Project.
In April of 1991, Carla’s best friend, The Rev. Regina Faletti, was murdered by her estranged husband. She dedicates her work in the domestic violence arena to Regina.
In 2003 Carla retired after marrying Larry Steckline, a well-known radio and television agri-business broadcaster. Larry had three children and she and Larry now have nine grandchildren and are great-grandparents to six – and counting! She is also an aunt and a great-aunt.
Carla’s maternal grandmother and mother taught her to knit when she was in high school. She knit off and on for decades, but it was in her retirement that she became passionate about it. She enjoys challenging herself with difficult patterns and new stitch techniques and has created her own designs and patterns. During Lent each year, she exclusively knits for charity, typically stocking caps for children at the Wichita Children’s Home.
It was in 2025 that Carla had an “aha” moment. She was reflecting on the positive emotions she felt when knitting and wondered if that peace could be experienced by survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault? What if their stress and turmoil could melt away as they knitted? From that thought, abundant support of local knitters and the grace of God, Purls of Peace was created. It has served the Wichita community since its inception, but Carla looks forward to taking Purls of Peace statewide.
Meet Our Instructors:
Christince Vumai
Christince is a proud mother to her four children and the biggest fan of her mini goldendoodle, Roosevelt. She has been teaching yoga for over 12 years and is also a Museum Teacher and children’s yoga instructor at Wichita Art Museum. Christince has also worked as a Crisis Counselor at Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center and an Advocate at the Women’s Shelter through HumanKind. She is a self-taught knitter who began when her oldest children were little, almost 18 years ago, starting with blankets and scarves. Knitting squares soon became boring, and being a hands-on learner (YouTube videos are so challenging!) she eventually became disinterested.
The stress of COVID and untreated postpartum depression eventually lead Christince’s relationship with alcohol to become dangerous and ultimately lead her to seek treatment for alcoholism. During that process, she picked her needles back up and once again taught herself to knit squares. Learning from past mistakes, she soon embarked on finding in-person classes and fell in love with the endless possibilities of knitting and the soothing meditative state that focusing on each stitch brought to her.
From her decades of teaching experience and creating connection, it was only natural that she began sharing her love of knitting and helping others find confidence, healing and community through this beautiful craft. Drawing from her vast experience of teaching yoga, raising children, working through sobriety and extensive training in trauma response-based care, Christince is described as a patient, compassionate and attentive instructor.
Donna Simpson
Donna is a retired elementary principal turned yarn‑dyer, knitter, and teacher. Since picking up her needles in 2008, she has fallen in love with the craft — so much so that she opened Red Door Fibers in 2020. She hand‑dyes silk‑blend yarns and travels to trade shows around the Midwest, meeting makers who inspire her every day. Lately, she has also begun teaching knitting classes, which has been a joyful return to her educator roots, just with a lot more color.
Meet Our Volunteers:
Sarah Green
Sarah is a writer, facilitator and project manager based in Wichita. She learned how to knit her first week in college and has been grateful for the peace and focus it brings along with the wonderful connections, people, and community that the craft can create. You’ll find her knitting during meetings, in coffee shops, and while she travels.