Knitting Club Keeps Women in Stitches

No one's needling you to join, but the members of the Social Knitting Club do weclome newbies.

Every Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. in the Middletown Township Public Library, 55 New Monmouth Road, the ladies of the club meet and practice their craft.

The group is led by Joan Corby, a Middletown resident who became an avid knitter by learning from her mother and from books. The 14 members of the club are all at different skill levels, and beginners are welcome, too.

"I knew knitting before but not that well," said Janet Giannandrea, "but Joan is a good teacher, she knows a real lot. Any time we need help we just go to her."

The club is also an opportunity for older women to socialize and make new friends.

"We're a very congenial group," said Mary Rumore.

The ladies knit all sorts of garments out of yarn including fingerless gloves, socks, scarves, and baby blankets. For inspiration, they look through knitting and fashion magazines together.