COEUR d'ALENE - The Knit Wits are back at it, stitching up a storm of items to give to Kootenai County residents in need of compassion and warmth.

The group of yarn crafters gathered Wednesday at the Lake City Center. It was their first meeting since December, when they donated more than 2,100 handmade hats, mittens, scarves, blankets, sweaters and baby items to 13 local nonprofits.

The Knit Wits are in their 19th year of knitting and crocheting to help others.

"We kind of make what we want to make for about half the year," said Teri Grubbs, a Knit Wits member for about a decade.

Then, they buckle down and tackle the specific needs of the charitable organizations they donate to, including the local food banks, Children's Village and Head Start.

Group coordinator Jan D'Arc keeps track of the items that are finished throughout the year, and Grubbs sends out a monthly newsletter letting the rest of the Knit Wits know what types of items they have in their inventory, and what they need.

The members, many of whom are older and no longer employed, must often pay for yarn themselves in order to continue volunteering their time and talent to make the knitted items the group gives to the charitable organizations each year.

"Donations of yarn or money to buy materials are always appreciated," Grubbs said.

The group welcomes those who love to knit and crochet to come out and spend an afternoon socializing with likeminded crafters.

They don't teach people how to knit or crochet, Grubbs said. But one of their members is starting a free crocheting class twice a month at the Hayden Library. Those classes begin Jan. 17 and will be held the second and fourth Fridays of each month from 1-3 p.m. The public is welcome.

Yarn donations can be made by calling (208) 772-4470, or they can be dropped off at the Lake City Center, 1916 Lakewood Drive, where the Knit Wits meet the first Wednesday of each month from 1-3 p.m.