Blest be the yarn that binds community
Published 10:19 pm Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Crochet class instructor Pat Montz poses with some of the items made during the last session of the class. The class makes items for newborn babies as well as other hospital patients as part of its projects. -- Rick Couch
Spinning yarn takes on a new meaning when crochet classes are in session at the Selma-Dallas County Public Library.
The classes, which begin Monday, offer an opportunity for those interested in the craft to learn a new skill and serve the community.
Instructor Pat Montz, who teaches the classes with Mary Oliver, said the group consists of people from all skill levels.
“They might not have done it for a long time and want to get back into it,” she said. “Some people just need a refresher course.”
With a 9-year-old signed up for the upcoming session, this group will also feature different age levels as well.
Beginners are provided instructions, hooks and yarn until they can provide the items themselves. As they increase their skill levels, Montz said they are encouraged to take part in joint projects.
“We ask them to give back to the community,” she said. “In the first year we made hats for the cancer center and we also made hats for the newborn babies at Vaughan. In the second class we made walker bags and a few shawls to give to seniors.”
The classes, Montz said, usually last from six to eight weeks and have anywhere from eight to 20 participants.
Even when the classes end, Montz said many of the women still get together to further their skills.
“When the last session ended they still came on Mondays just because they didn’t want to quit meeting when the class was over,” she said. “Now they just get together when they want to crochet and just do different projects.”
Learning a new skill and forming lifelong bonds are some of the positives participants take from the program, Montz said.
“I think people enjoy the fellowship the most,” she said. “Some of the ladies that show up just love it and they can come up with all kinds of new patterns and make things off the top of their heads.”
One of her favorites aspects of crochet, Montz said, is the satisfaction of knowing your efforts can help another person.
“It is satisfying to know you can take yarn and a hook and make something that someone else can use like a baby blanket or a muff,” she said.
For more information on the classes, call 874-1725.
