CLARKSBURG — Many of Marge Pecor's friends have died, and she has moved from her longtime home into a senior living facility in neighboring North Adams.

But every Friday, Pecor, 90, heads back to her old neighborhood to stitch with a group of newfound friends who enjoy knitting and embroidery as much as she does.

Pecor is one of about 10 knitters, crocheters and embroiderers who for the second year have stitched mittens, beanies and other winter accessories for local people in need.

"I just love doing it," said Pecor, who many in the group have deemed the mittens expert. "It is just nice doing something for somebody."

"Once in a while, I like something challenging," she said while knitting a pair of mittens and sporting a royal purple sweater she made herself.

Some of the varying sized mittens handmade by the members of the Knit and Crochet Club at the Clarksburg Public Library. Now in its second year, the club this holiday season will donate dozens of mittens, beanies and other winter accessories to the Elizabeth Freeman Center in Pittsfield.

North Adams resident Sue Grande started the Knit and Crochet Club at the rural community's library after seeing other fiber arts groups at nearby libraries. The club at the Clarksburg Public Library has grown into more than getting Pecor and others out of the house.

At the start, the group convened and worked on their own projects. But then, resident experts started teaching newcomers and working toward a common goal: mittens, hats, baby blankets and more for the community.

Grande organizes the donation efforts, brings in new patterns for designs and also collects yarn donations from the community to fuel their collection.

"It is more than just meeting people, it has developed into a community that helps each other," she said. "It is nice to see a simple idea has blossomed into something more."

The club meets Fridays at 10 a.m. in the library. This holiday, the club created dozens of baby blankets, hats and gloves to donate to the Elizabeth Freeman Center in Pittsfield, which provides services for victims of domestic abuse. Last year, the group donated mitten trees to kids at Colegrove Park Elementary School, Brayton Elementary School, and Pownal (Vt.) Elementary School.

Library Director Emily Riehl-Bedford said the club is "exactly the kind of programming" she hopes to expand in 2026 because it builds community, is free and open to all and offers the opportunity to learn new skills.

"We love the energy and warmth the knit and crochet group brings to the library every Friday, and we are so proud of the time and care members put into creating their annual donation of baby clothes," she said.

Through a connection Grande had at nearby St. Patrick and Raphael Parish, some of the group's creations have been donated to people in Africa. The group also has a continuous partnership donating adult hats and mittens to residents through the Berkshire Food Project in North Adams.

"It gives you a reason to do something when you are donating it and it is encouraging when other people are working around you," said member and Clarksburg resident Irene Shea.

A collection of the handmade winter accessories created by the Knit and Crochet Club at the Clarksburg Public Library for its winter donation drive. Now in its second year, the club this holiday season will donate dozens of mittens, beanies and other winter accessories to the Elizabeth Freeman Center in Pittsfield.

Year round, group members freely alternate between working on personal projects and the donation collection. Now that the group knows each other, they don't just share stitching guidance, but also recipes, patterns, and conversations about "everything."

"I wanted to improve my skills, and there are some people here who are very educated," said Clarksburg resident Debbie Frye, who tried making toddler sweaters for the first time with the group. "That was an accomplishment. I have tried things I never would have attempted on my own."

At a recent Friday meeting, many members present said the good conversation and comradery has not only improved their skills but scratched a social itch.

"I just wanted to make connections with people and I am new [to the area]," said Clarksburg resident Trish Wilson, who said Frye taught her first stitch.

After her husband died, the club was a place Alta Bushee of North Adams could go to work with her hands. On her own, she said, "I started a lot of projects and didn't finish."

She gets more done when she is with the Club, she said. And, it's good to know that people want and need the things she likes to make. It can get old giving them to friends and family for years on end, she said.

"Especially after a while, no one wants all the knitted stuff," Bushee said, laughing. "It is nice we can still do what we like and do something good with it."

Those interested in the Knit and Crochet Club or donating materials should contact the Clarksburg Public Library, 711 W. Cross Rd., (413) 664-6050.