Knitting for the needy

The Knit Wits are at it again, beginning a 20th year of crocheting and knitting items to donate to Kootenai County residents in need.

The group of more than 40 members spends much of the year making items such as slippers, hats and blankets. The items are distributed at the end of the year to 15 different nonprofit organizations, including Life Care Center, Idaho Youth Ranch, three different Head Start facilities and three food banks in the area.

Linda Park, a member of the Knit Wits since 2007, said the group needs donations of washable yarn or money to buy the yarn.

She said the group made more than 2,300 items for the organizations in 2015.

"We are starting all over again," Park said. "We make things all throughout the year. In December we organize it all and bag it up for each charity group."

She said the items are stored at the home of Jan D'Arc, who heads the group. The items are distributed to the organizations during the December meeting of the Knit Wits.

The Knit Wits meet on the first Wednesday of every month at the Lake City Center from 1-3 p.m., where they drop off items they have made and pick up more yarn and have some snacks.

"I personally enjoy it very much because I love to knit, and there is only so many things my family can have in their closets," Park said. "I joined the group so I could keep knitting and have some place for it to go. It's nice to give it to people who actually need it."

Donations can be dropped off at the Lake City Center, located at 1916 Lakewood Drive.