SELMA — Crochet classes at the Selma-Dallas County Library are free, but there’s a catch — you have to pay the favor forward.

“Instead of charging for anything, we just ask that when the class is over, when they have learned how to crochet, that they help us do some projects to give away,” said Pat Montz, crochet club coordinator.

Members of the second crochet class, which began in May, made 50 hand muffs, 50 bags to drape on walkers and 24 shawls, which were donated to Cedar Hill Assisted Living and Lighthouse Rehabilitation Healthcare Center.

“They picked out a pattern they liked the best and made a couple of each kind,” Montz said. “They did very well to have just learned and been doing this for six weeks and then to do a major project like this.”

Montz taught basic stitches, manners to hold the hook and yarn and how to read a pattern. In the class, members made potholders, coasters and a hat. Once they felt comfortable with crocheting, the class moved on to making the donated items.

“My ladies are going to love this,” said Daisy Dixon, activities director for Lighthouse Rehabilitation Healthcare Center. “They get gifts throughout the year and they get them at Christmastime mostly, but to just get something that is handmade, it’s going to mean a lot to them and it means a lot to me.”

Annie Tyus came to the class after friends from the first class encouraged her to attend.

“I’m at the age where I’m about to retire and I wanted something to do with my time instead of just idling,” Tyus said, “Crocheting is something I’ve always wanted to do. And not only that, but it’s fulfilling because we’re doing something for a worthy cause to help other people.”

As their hands worked on the shawls, bags and muffs, the ladies chatted about different topics, but conversations seemed to drift back to one topic.

Group members met on Mondays and Tuesdays from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. for classes and to complete the project, but will meet only on Mondays to work on personal projects until the next class starts in January.

“We all plan to keep coming and enjoy each other’s company and make some little personal things, maybe some Christmas presents,” Tyus said.

Myrtlene Hall wanted to be a part of the project, even though she did not take the class because she already knew how to crochet.

“I like to do things that help people,” Hall said. “It just feels good to give somebody something, especially if they like it.”

She also enjoys making ceramic items, which she donates as well once they are completed.

This is the second crochet class and second project by the members. The first class made more than 150 hats to give to children at Vaughan Regional Medical Center and the patients undergoing chemotherapy at the Montgomery Cancer Center.

The Cancer Center medical oncology division in Selma was eliminated in March because a limited number of medical oncology physicians could not provide the service, but patients living in the area will accept the hats on behalf of the center.

Yarn used for both projects was donated or bought with money given during fine free week in August.