Submitted photo

Members of the Liberty Lake Library Knitters, including, from left, Joanne Weirich, Elaine Stanley and Linda Richter, donated more than 40 items recently to local charities.

More News

March Marvel-Calvary a catalyst for historic Gonzaga run

In Gear for Good
Kramer puts integrity first at Christian Brothers

City commissions offer chance to serve, enhance community
When Danetta “Dg” Garcia’s bid for a Liberty Lake City Council seat fell short, she didn’t give up on the idea of serving the city she calls home.

TT's Brewery and Barbecue Expands to Neighborhood Liberty Lake Location
In the smoky realm of barbecue, TT's BBQ has carved a niche for itself as a beacon of mouth watering flavors and culinary expertise for both their beer and food.

Daughters of The American Revolution
The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a volunteer women’s organization that has been dedicated to historical preservation, education, and patriotism for over a century. Across the United States, there are over 3,000 chapters supporting an estimated current membership of 200,000, with over one million total members since their founding in 1890.

HOA’s have different rules what it means for Police and streets
The city of Liberty Lake is known for its winding paths, street trees and homeowner’s associations. Recently, however, residents of some neighborhoods have been questioning the services they receive from the city, particularly police patrols and traffic enforcement.

Vietnam Veteran Pat Payne Receives his Combat Infantry Badge
Spokane Valley resident and Vietnam Veteran Pat Payne personifies bravery, resilience, and a profound commitment to supporting his fellow service members. Having served in the Vietnam War, Pat received both the Bronze Star and Purple Heart medals for his exceptional contributions and sacrifices. Unfortunately, at the time of his service discharge, a key ‘box’ was left unchecked, and he did not receive his Combat Infantry Badge or CIB until fifty-six years after leaving Vietnam.

Return Ticket Home; Fisher helped establish LL city roots
In the acclaimed 1940 novel, “You Can’t Go Home Again,” author Thomas Wolfe paints the picture of ambitious writer George Webber who leaves his rural hometown roots to seek fame and fortune in New York City.

At Home on Air – Media fixture Owsley relishes local roots
Sean Owsley’s first big break in the media world came when he was living in a modest apartment on Skipworth Road in Spokane Valley.

Spokane Valley Library employee is recognized by the Library of Congress
Spokane Valley Library was recently honored to receive a Certificate of Appreciation from the Library of Congress for its involvement in the Veterans History Project. The Library of Congress recognized the library's continuous dedication to preserving the stories and experiences of our nation's veterans. As part of this recognition, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Jeremy Mullin, a local resident actively involved in the project.

Council social media training degenerates into confrontation
Spokane Valley City Council training on policy regarding social media accounts and use of the city’s logo turned from benignly informative to heatedly combative after an exchange between two council members at the Jan. 9 meeting.

Central Valley School District Prop. 1

Eat, Shop, and Be Merry

Water Works

2023 Candidate Guide

Sporting in Liberty Lake

Closing the Chasm

Congratulations First Ridgeline High School Graduating Class of 2023

2023 Liberty Lake Kiwanis Yard Sales are Coming!
Click here to register today! Only $15 to get into the printed and online guide!

Public Safety Raised to New Level

Parks and Art Commission

Looking Ahead to 2023

Eat, Shop and Be Merry

New city administrator

Liberty Lake Kiwanis Yard Sale Interactive Map!

Liberty Lake Kiwanis Yard Sale Guide - Now Available!!

Conrats 2022 Senior Graduates

Pavillion Park

You Are Invited

Destination Liberty Lake

Liberty Lake's Lego Home

Making and Impact 2022

Search the News Archive Search the News Archive

Knitting with purpose
11/14/2012 11:00:08 AM

By Valerie Putnam
Splash Contributor

Profiles:
Liberty Lake Library Knitters

Every Saturday morning, the rhythmic clink of knitting needles under the steady pulse of chitchat emanates from a small room at the Liberty Lake Municipal Library.

These are the tell-tale sounds that a small group of women have come together for their weekly gathering to knit for the less fortunate in the community. Known as the Liberty Lake Library Knitters, the group began as a special adult program offered by the library.

Library Director Pamela Mogen started the Knitters with the intention of helping those wanting to learn the craft, needing help on a specific project or wanting to socialize with other knitters.

"We're always looking for different ways of using the library and appealing to the people in the community," said Mogen, who's been with the library for nine years. "I had the idea that we would try some craft programming."

Mogen enlisted her mother, Elaine Stanley, who has been knitting for more than 60 years, to teach the class.

Advertisement

"She is a fantastic knitter," Mogen said. "She was very interested in the idea of teaching knitting."

After reading an article about a young woman knitting items for charity, Stanley led the transition from being strictly an adult program to knitting items for area nonprofit organizations.

"It inspired me to talk to the ladies," Stanley said. "We agreed to support both the Sarah House and Vanessa Behan."

Since May, the group has knitted items for all ages, including hats, scarves, gloves, blankets, baby layettes, sweaters and vests.

"They're a fun group," Mogen said. "And the fact they have knitted over 45 items since last spring amazes me. They're very enthusiastic, looking for ways to be creative and to give."

The knitters donated many of the completed items to the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery on Tuesday, club member Joanne Weirich said.

The group remains open to other needs in the community. According to participant Louise Quirk, the group isn't structured, and participants can work on any project of their choosing.

"One lady knitted hats for the military," Quirk said. "That's the nice thing about this group; you don't all have to make the same thing."

Quirk joined the group in January to learn how to knit. Because she already knew crochet, she decided to crochet scarves for charity instead of knitting.

"I like the camaraderie," Quirk said of the group. "Everyone is willing to help."

Members share patterns, materials and knowledge. Currently, the group consists of a core group of five to seven women representing all stages of knitting experience. Stanley hopes the cooler weather will bring more knitters to the group.

"The beauty of the thing is anyone can come and go," Stanley said. "It's a fluid thing, not like a class."

The Knitters hope to find a way to get the younger generation involved in learning the craft.

"It's a dying art," Stanley said about handwork. "Hate to see it pass."

According to Mogen, the group has looked into a program published by Knitters Guild that helps people put together knitting instructions for young people.

Hoping to begin a children's knitting outreach, Lisa Wardian, Title One Reading teacher at Greenacres Elementary, and co-worker Bethany McMulkin, a fourth grade teacher at Greenacres Elementary, are working on getting a $1,500 Washington Education Association Community Outreach grant. The grant would be used to teach elementary age children the art of knitting.

Wardian came to the group seeking help on a knitting project she was working on in September. While knitting a pair of socks for her son, she got stuck working on the heel.

"I brought in my pattern book and asked Elaine, ‘Can you help me?'" Wardian said. "I restarted that sock six times, but Elaine sat there with me so patiently. She is just a delight."

Wardian completed one sock and is working on the second.

"It's nice to teach kids handiwork," Wardian said about the effort to attain the grant. "It gives them something tangible to show for their time and effort spent."

If the funding is secured, Wardian hopes to enlist members of the group to help with the afterschool program and potentially using the Saturday group as a resource if children need additional help.

"It'll help keep the kids motivated and excited," Wardian said.

Wardian hopes to hear back within four to six weeks if Greenacres is awarded the funding. The program would begin before the end of the year.

The Knitters plan to continue to knit to give to community organizations as well as knit animals to give away as prizes for the library's summer reading program.

Next year, Mogen hopes to start a crochet group. She is currently working on the logistics, including considering if it will be combined with the knitters or a separate group.


Submitted photo
Knitted scarfs, hats, sweaters, blankets were among the 40-plus items the Liberty Lake Library Knitters recently delivered to charity.

Profiles:
Liberty Lake Library Knitters

Meeting time and location
Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Liberty Lake Municipal Library, 23123 E. Mission Ave.

Who should come?
All ages and levels of skill are welcome. The group is open to anyone wanting to learn the art of knitting, struggling with a project or socialization with other knitters.

What to bring?
Knitting needles, yarn and willingness to learn or socialize

Cost
There is no charge for the group.

For more information
Contact Library Director Pamela Mogen, 435-0777