“It’s an addiction.”
That was the answer given by one member of the Knit Wits, a group of needleworkers of all skill levels which meets regularly at Rodman Public Library, when asked why they knit and crochet.
“You can make something nicer with yarn than what you see in the store,” Lucy Eibel added.
“It’s something to do to keep your hands busy, even while watching TV,” Karen Summers noted.
Members Joan Runion, Sandy Pollock, Lucy Eibel, Joyce Liliestedt, Jerry Liliestedt, Jackie Mceod, Clair Dillon, Karen Summers, and her granddaughter Madisen McCullough, are always happy to talk about some of the needlework they do.
As part of the Knit Wits, they’re able to craft many well woven creations, including sweaters, blankets, afghans, rugs, hats, scarves, socks and mittens. They’ve also made crochet toys, stuffed animals, and accessories for Barbie dolls. Jerry even wears hats, socks, and sweaters that were knitted by his wife, Joyce.
The Knit Wits, which meets from 10 a.m. to noon on the second and fourth Monday of every month at Rodman Public Library, has been around for a long while and has seen its fair share of people come and go.
Pollock, who used to teach classes in her condominium with up to 50 spinning wheels, and Eibel are the only two left of the original group, which both confirm once boasted 60 members, filling the RPL auditorium.
Due to COVID-19, numbers have plummeted, but the now small group still goes strong, now meeting in the board room.
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Many of the Knit Wits started needlework when they were kids, learning from their mother or grandmother.
Eibel learned by watching her grandmother. As an art teacher, she taught middle school students how to knit after school.
Summers was introduced to knitting by her mother.
“My mom could whip up a baby blanket in an afternoon,” she exclaimed.
Dillon started knitting when she was 10. She is now 70 and puts her six decades of experience to good use by making things for others.
“It’s a nice way of making a nice gift that you couldn’t afford to go out and buy,” Dillon said.
“Really, we just love it,” Pollock said with a laugh. “It’s addicting.”
Of course, the Knit Wits do more than just talk and knit. They also help the community. They’ve donated knitted items to many different charities and organizations. The YWCA, homeless centers, and domestic violence centers will use their knitted hats, scarves, socks, and mittens to give out for others to use.
They donate prayer shawls to churches and senior centers often use their afghans as BINGO prizes.
Dillon was happy to talk about the groups’ involvement in making soap sacks, a knitted washcloth with a pocket to hold a bar of soap. These are donated to several charitable organizations.
The Knit Wits are always accepting donations of yarn at the library. Patrons can also donate unopened bars of soap or 100-percent cotton yarn to the Alliance Seniors Citizens Center, located at 602 W. Vine St.
​And if you’re interested in learning how to knit or crochet, the Knit Wits are always willing to teach anyone, no matter the age.
For more information about the Knit Wits, call 330-821-2665, ext. 204.