By Alaina Denean Deshazo | The Selma Times-Journal

The Selma-Dallas County Public Library is offering a crochet class to anyone wanting to learn the trade or pick up where they left off.

The library offers the class Monday and Tuesday from 4-6 p.m.

“We started this about seven or eight years ago, and it was a way to give back to the community,” said Pat Montz, a librarian and teacher for the class. “It was done for National Library Week, and we canceled everybody’s fines that brought yarn. Even though it was for National Library Week, it lasted for about three months.”

Montz said after the three months, some people continued to come back, so they started making items for various organizations in the community.

“We taught how to crochet and then we made projects. We started out just making little projects so people could practice. Then our ultimate goal was to make adult hats that we donated to the cancer center that was in Selma at the time, and we also made newborn hats to give to the hospital for the mothers to take home when their babies were ready to leave the hospital,” Montz said. “When the class was over, everybody wanted to continue, so we did. We just make charity projects now. We have made a lot of things for nursing homes.”

Now, Montz said the beginner class is about teaching all different steps and techniques, but she does have one request for those that take the class.

“At the end of the class, we ask that you please help us make something for charity,” Montz said. “That’s the payback. Instead of us charging to teach, we just ask that you make some stuff for charity.”

Fabian Montgomery participated in Monday’s class and came fully prepared to learn some new tricks.

“I decided to come today because I wanted to learn how to crochet,” Montgomery said.

“I was very excited because we never get that many opportunities to learn this.”

Montgomery said she hopes to be able to make some things for herself at the end of the class.

“I’m hoping to make an afghan or a baby hat or a scarf or something that I can wear,” Montgomery said.

Anyone interested in the class or wanting to register is asked to call the library at 874-1725. Materials are included in the free course.