Each Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon a group of women gets together at the Evangelical Free Church of Blairstown, 10 Lambert Road, to knit and crochet. These volunteers make blankets, hats, gloves, shawls, scarves and delicate baby items in every color and style to be given to those in need.
The items are stitched with love and bear a tag that reads, ”This article has been lovingly made for you by the North Warren KnitWits.”
The KnitWits help various humanitarian organizations including Forest Manor Healthcare Center, Newton Medical Center, Karan Ann Quinlan Hospice and local food pantries. The group is always recruiting new members, and all are welcome to stop in to meet these community-minded women.
It takes about 100 hours to complete an afghan. The women gladly donated their beautiful creations because they love their craft. They get satisfaction from knowing that everything they make is in need.
The group made over 50 afghans for the survivors of Hurricane Katrina in Mississippi. They have donated to the Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault Crisis Center of Warren County NJ and Helping Hand Pregnancy Center and other organizations where their loving needlework is needed.
The group started in the summer of 1993 with four enthusiastic women with a mission. Through the years, they have helped so many and the community has always supported them with cash donations and lots of yarn. The group started out meeting at the Blairstown Community Center, and through the years they have met at various places about town. Membership grew and this “tight-knit” group has shared friendship and a sense of belonging.
During the Afghanistan War, the women worked feverishly, knitting / crocheting hundreds of wool helmet liners for the United States Army. At that time, the liners were only made of cotton, not warm enough in the cold war environment. The ladies were on a mission of love, doing their part helping American soldiers.
The group is open to anyone who has an interest in learning how to knit or crochet. All are welcome to stop in and meet the ladies as there is always plenty of yarn and friendly conversation.
MB Journe, Contributing Writer
My name is Marybeth Journe, I feel blessed to be living in this part of New Jersey. I have enjoyed this community taking advantage of the lakes and woods. Always supporting the local businesses that make this my home. As a local artist myself, I know many of our residence if not by name, at least by sight. I feel comfortable interviewing others. I have worked for The Paulinskill Valley Chronical where I provided articles, photographs and billing. I consider myself an artist, journalist, naturalist, gardener and a teacher for the YMCA Camp Mason. I look forward to the work ahead
