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Knitting for the camaraderie and those in need

(Photo Courtesy/Mike Beiermeister) The Alcona County Needle Crafters chat and knit every Wednesday.

Lincoln, Mich. — Hats, mittens, scarves, and all different types of warm clothing come to life in Alcona County every Wednesday.

It’s all thanks to a group of 35 ladies who’ve been knitting to help make the world a warmer place. Every Wednesday afternoon, the Alcona County Senior Center is home to chit–chat and laughter, and you can find most of it at one table. They are called the Alcona County Needle Crafters, a group of ladies who love to knit.

Nora Chimner is one of those ladies that has been knitting with the group for five years.

“We don’t get very many done in a session because we spend so much time talking,” said Chimner. “I brought in five hats today, but here, I’ll probably get a quarter of a hat done because we’re just busy chit-chatting about this and chit-chatting about that.”

It’s more than just the laughs and camaraderie for Chimner and the ladies. Each of the items made by the group is donated to organizations and shelters in the area and all over Michigan.

Since 2012, these knitters have helped put together over 13,000 thousand hats, mittens, dialysis sleeves, blankets and other necessary items to help keep people warm. It’s a go-at-your-own-pace club where the end goal is helping those in need and enjoying each other’s company every Wednesday afternoon.

“It’s a good feeling you get of making things that the kids or the babies or even the adults use, can keep warm all winter,” said Knitter Shelly Sonberg.

To learn more information about the group or if you would like to join, visit the Lincoln Senior Center at 207 Church St. Lincoln, MI 48742 or call 989-736-8879.