Sitting in a quiet corner near a fireplace at The Springs at Whitefish, a small group of women gather each week to chat and knit with a purpose.

The Knit Wits II, as they call their group, creates hats, mittens, blankets and stuffed animals mostly through knitting, but also by crocheting. As they work, the knitters offer prayers over the items that will eventually be donated to a child in need.

Mariel Cole organized the group after moving into The Springs assisted living community last fall. She had previously lead a similar group at the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Troy.

“As we knit we pray for the recipients and it seems like it gives the items a bit of power,” she said. “We gather for the pleasure of knitting, but knitting for others gives us a real reason to do it.”

Cole’s first group in Troy and the group at The Springs knit to carry on the work of the Prayer Shawl Ministry, which asks the maker to provide a prayer or blessings throughout the creation of a shawl often given for comfort. Upon completion of the shawl or other handmade item, a final blessing is offered before being given away.

The Knit Wits have directed their knitted gifts to CASA for Kids of Flathead County, which recruits, trains and supports volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children.

Julia Sweeney, Child Advocacy Specialist, says as a nonprofit CASA welcomes any donation. The organization in 2017 provided advocates for 294 children.

“Sometimes kids are with us from birth until they age out of the foster care system,” she said. “They often need items like hats, and the little animals are something we can give them because they are often scared when they first come into the system.”

While working her needles to make a gray hat during a recent gathering of the Knit Wits, Vivian Harrison said knitting is relaxing and the group gatherings are way to enjoy each other’s company. She also likes creating something for others.

“When I was younger I would volunteer,” she said. “I like the idea of being able to give something back. My generation always volunteered.”

Harrison first began knitting while working nights in a hospital. Arthritis forced her to give it up, but she recently picked up her needles again and found a way to work around the arthritis.

Cole says members don’t need to be expert knitters and she’s happy to give tips or help with problems.

“If they can make a rectangle I can use a seam to draw it up into a hat,” she said. “Some are really good knitters, but physically can’t quite do it anymore.”

The Knit Wits meet every Sunday and Wednesday at 3 p.m. at The Springs.

“We’d love to have ladies of the community join us,” Cole said. “We’d like to have help from those who don’t live here. Just come to the front door and you can’t miss us.”

For more information on the Knit Wits, call The Springs at 862-6322.