With each knit and purl, the Knitwits build community, not just among themselves, but all throughout Athens as well.

The Knitwits are a group of University students who banded together at the start of the semester to share their common hobby: knitting.

They meet in the dining area of the Main Library, “unless it’s nice out, then we go outside because it’s a nice atmosphere,” said Paige Rechtman, a senior from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and one of the members of the group.

“You just take two hours to do something for yourself and hang out with cool people,” she said.

Rechtman, like many members, did not always know how to knit.

“My roommate taught me about two years ago, but this year I taught myself how to do more complicated things than just scarves,” she said. “Right now, I’m doing socks.”

The group donates items they make such as scarves and hats to many shelters and missions in the community including Athens Area Homeless Shelter and the Sparrow’s Nest Mission Church. Since Georgia weather is beginning to warm up, the group may start sending their donations further north.

Donations such as diapers, paper towels and clothes are important to these organizations because they help cut down on costs. This allows money to be allocated to programs like JobTREC that help residents acquire the necessities to get hired in a job, said Kate Dillon, a University student and intern with the Almost Home program at Athens Area Homeless Shelter.

“Generally we get enough (donations) to give to all the residents,” she said.

The Knitwits don’t mind teaching someone new how to knit. Also, if knitters ever have problems, Mainstreet Yarns in Watkinsville will help work out kinks.

“Your hand just has to get used to it. You use different muscles,” Rechtman said.

Sarah Connell, Knitwit member and senior from Roswell, said she learned to knit when she went to the first meeting about a month and a half ago.

“It’s just a very low-key, relaxed environment,” she said.

Knitting among friends is a way to relieve stress and give back to the community.

Both Connell and Rechtman said they enjoy donating their knitting projects because giving away something handmade is so personal.

“The whole point of the organization is to have community interaction while learning new skills and giving back to the community through donations,” Connell said.