BY SARAH SCINTO
Members of St. John the Evangelist Knitting Ministry are used to working alone or, when they meet as a group, in the confines of the church.
But this month, for the first time in the group’s history, they’ll be putting their craft on display for the public of the Greater Pittston area.
“It’s our first ever Stitch in Public night,” said group leader Peggy Burke. “We’re going to show the public our craft and hopefully bring out other knitters and crocheters from the community.”
The members of the knitting ministry will spend all of the Second Friday Art Walk on Sept. 13 stitching away as a group on the Lower Tomato Festival Lot.
“And it will be something to see for anyone,” she said.
Burke said they will all be working on individual projects and invite knitters and crocheters of any skill level to join them that evening.
The knitting ministry meets to knit hats, scarves, blankets and other items that will be donated to St. John the Evangelist Church’s annual winter giveaway. Burke said they have 22 members who balance their individual projects with producing as many items to donate as possible.
Knitting, Burke acknowledges, can be seen as a solitary endeavor. She hopes the public event will generate exposure for the group and inspire other local knitters or crocheters to join in on the experience.
“I just think it’s a nice place to show knitting as a craft,” she said. “People can join us as they can make it.”
On top of working on their own craft, members of the group can teach interested people how to knit or crochet.
“I’ve taught many, many people how to knit,” she said. “Knitting right now is attracting a lot of younger men and women.”
Burke encouraged anyone at the art walk to “see us, join us or chat us up,” about their lifelong hobby and craft.
“It gives me a tremendous amount of joy to not only work with my hands but to be able to give back to the community,” Burke said.
The knitting ministry will be stitching at the art walk from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13.
Contact the writer: sscinto@pittstonprogress.com
