Participants learn hand knitting Jan. 9

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Neighbors | Elise McKeown Skolnick.Dorothy Voitus (right) showed Joe Marino how to start a knitting project at a Boardman library program Jan. 9.

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Neighbors | Elise McKeown Skolnick.Dorothy Voitus, instructor of the Jan. 9 Show What You Know program at the Boardman library, showed participants some scarves she made.

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Neighbors | Elise McKeown Skolnick.Karen Saunders (left) and Anne Dodd worked on knitting projects at the Boardman library Jan. 9.

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Neighbors | Elise McKeown Skolnick.A hand knitting program was offered at the Boardman library Jan. 9.

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Neighbors | Elise McKeown Skolnick.Instructor Dorothy Voitus showed knitting samples at a Show What You Know program at Boardman library Jan. 9.

By ELISE McKEOWN SKOLNICK

neighbors@vindy.com

Community members were able to learn the art of hand knitting at a library program.

As part of the “Show What You Know” series at Boardman library, Dorothy Voitus showed several people how to knit Jan. 9. Participants brought their own supplies to the hour-long program, including size 10 knitting needles and four-ply light-colored yarn if they wanted to make a scarf or cotton if they wanted to make a dish cloth.

Voitus began by showing those who had no experience how to “cast on,” the process of adding the first stitches onto the knitting needle before starting to knit. She also showed pieces she created, including potholders and scarves.

Anne Dodd of Boardman has been knitting for a long time, but attended the program to learn new techniques.

“I love to knit and I’m always willing and eager to learn something new about knitting,” she said. “There’s always something new to learn.”

There are new stitches, new patterns and new yarns to learn about, Dodd said.

She enjoys programs such as the “Show What You Know” event because they’re relaxing.

“Because you’re finding kindred spirits,” she said.

Dodd worked on a dish cloth at the event. She used cotton yarn, which is unusual for her. Typically she makes afghans and uses a washable, acrylic wool.

Knitting was all new to Joe Marino of Austintown.

“I want to learn how to do my own scarves,” he said.

He found it frustrating at first, but hopes it will be relaxing once he gets the hang of it. He concentrated on learning the basics, such as casting on, at the event.