Block Island Times

Kids Stitch Together

By Renee Meyer

If the Block Island Ferry and New England Airlines are said to be the “life line” of Block Island, the Island Free Library could be said to be its lifeblood. Even in the darkest months of winter – especially in the darkest months, the library is a warm welcoming place where patrons can take in a special program, participate in book group, or learn a new skill. Yes, you can also take out a book, or movie, or musical recording.

It’s a little after one on a Friday afternoon, March 10, and inside the library, small hands are busy learning new tricks. The occasion? The weekly Kids Stitch Together.

The library – and the island - are quiet on this day as dozens of islanders have taken off for the mainland to cheer on the boys varsity basketball team on their quest for a championship in Narragansett, and the few kids that are around get the full attention of library staff.

Master stitcher and library staff member Judy Mitchell patiently guides the youngsters on their chosen projects. On this day, Zoe and Julian are weaving potholders. And yes, they’re using the same type of loom their grandparents probably used too when they were young – those metal squares with teeth to hold the potholder in place while it’s being worked on.

The two carefully weave the bright

ly colored cotton loops through, pushing each one up against another for a tight weave. Zoe has chosen orange and purple for her warp, while Julian went for yellow and red.

Luna has a different project she wants to work on. She brought in a project she started by crocheting a long, long ribbon of multi-colored yarn. Now she wants to coil it up and turn it into a blanket for a pet. Mitchell carefully shows her how to use a needle to sew it together, repeating the steps until Luna is comfortable doing it herself.

The kids’ version of Stitch Together started when a youngster attended the adult version, held on Wednesday evenings. So the library staff asked themselves if more kids might be interested in learning a fiber craft and decided to try some sessions with a younger crowd.

Not only did the kids take to it, so did some of their moms. Zoe’s mom, Alicja McQueeny, quickly took to the art of crochet and already looks like an expert as she works on a mulberry-colored hat. She is sure she has made a mistake somewhere and joins another color, thinking it will help. But when it doesn’t, she, like any other fiber enthusiast, rips it back and starts again.

Children’s librarian Morgan Walsh has gotten in on the action too. What better way to help the occasional visitor with a question on their project? On this day, Walsh, who has already mastered some aspects of crocheting, works on learning how to make a circle.

It’s never too late too late to join one of the Stitch Together programs. Both are ongoing (for now) and you simply bring whatever you wish to work on while you socialize and get some good tips or inspiration.

The kids’ version of Stitch Together started when a youngster attended the adult version, held on Wednesday evenings. So the library staff asked themselves if more kids might be interested.

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2023-03-17T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-03-17T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://blockislandtimes.pressreader.com/article/281496460518490

Alberta Newspaper Group