No one in the Big Arm Knit Witz knew how to knit very well before the community group organized two years ago.

Some women were complete novices.

“No one knew how to make a slip knot,” confided Darline Hoyt, a retired beautician who helped organize the group. “Many of us had no idea how to knit and crochet.”

But no matter.

This big-hearted group of women took it upon themselves to learn. By taking a class at All In Stitches in Polson and helping each other, the Knit Witz members now whip up any number of items as they gather weekly at the Big Arm Fire Hall.

They knit scarves, hats, socks and even sweaters for Share the Spirit of Lake County.

They crochet tiny “preemie” hats for premature babies born at North Valley and Kalispell Regional hospitals in the Flathead Valley. Karen Shelt of the Knit Witz is an experienced crocheter who shared her skills with the group.

They make pillow cases for Safe Harbor Women’s Shelter of Lake County and stuffed toy bears, tote bags and other items for the Lake County foster care program.

Hoyt is the unofficial leader of the Knit Witz.

“They call me the cruise director,” she said with a laugh. “I seem to organize things.”

Hoyt spearheaded the formation of the Knit Witz as a way to channel her grief from the death of her son, Chris, in 2009. He was a Montana Highway Patrol trooper who died after rescuing his dog from an irrigation ditch south of Polson. A section of U.S. 93 is dedicated to Trooper Hoyt.

Because her son was a big supporter of the Association of Montana Highway Patrolmen’s Montana Hope Project, Hoyt has made 50 children’s quilts for the organization. Her quilts have been given to children with all kinds of medical afflictions such as cancer, heart problems and even shaken baby syndrome.

Hoyt also gave a few quilts to the foster care program, too.

“I know my son would be very proud of that,” she said.

Hoyt beams with pride as she talks about the genuine camaraderie of her fellow Knit Witz members. The many friendships lift her spirit.

“We all work together and enjoy what we’re doing in helping the community,” she said. “We welcome all new members at any level of expertise.”

There’s a weekly exercise class each Wednesday from 9 to 10 a.m. — organized by Hoyt, of course — before the group launches into whatever projects are at hand.

Hoyt and her husband Ross came to Big Arm 50 years ago and immediately declared: “Oh, my gosh, we must be in heaven,” she recalled.

Nestled along the south shore of Flathead Lake, Big Arm has been around well over a century and in recent decades has been a haven for retirees.

Knit Witz member Jill Wagner moved to Big Arm from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, a year ago and barely knew a soul there.

“I started coming to West Shore Community Church [services are held at the Big Arm Fire Hall] and Nancy [Foster] and Darline collared me” for the Knit Witz, she said.

Wagner is still a little homesick for Lancaster things she can’t find here — goodies from Panera Bread, for one — but she’s loving the community spirit of Big Arm and the Knit Witz, calling it “totally overwhelming.

“Everyone is real laid back. Everyone is helping everyone else,” Wagner said. “No one’s in a rush. There’s no keeping up with the Joneses.”

Nancy Foster and her husband, both retired teachers, moved to Big Arm from Connecticut two years ago and found immediate hospitality.

“The warmth of the people here, it catches your heart,” Foster said. “The sense of community is truly amazing.”

Foster is secretary of the Big Arm Association, another community group that gathers regularly for coffee at the restored schoolhouse in Big Arm. Most of the Knit Witz also belong to that association.

Bonnie Eddy drives up from Polson during the winter months for Knit Witz meetings. She spends summers in Big Arm. Like many others, she got involved through Hoyt.

“I had knit a little in the seventh grade, but I’m really more of a knit-group groupie than a knitter,” she said with a smile.

The group has taken field trips on occasion, to a quilt shop in Bigfork and an alpaca ranch near St. Ignatius. Knit Witz numbers dwindle in the winter when some of the snow birds go south.

“The neat thing about this group is that everyone loves each other and respects each other,” Hoyt stressed.

At a Christmas party last week, the Knit Witz honored Hoyt for her leadership.

“Darline is our spearhead,” Eddy said.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by email at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.