By Michelle Waltos

Librarian

The NOPL Knitters at Cicero, a knitting group that meets at the Cicero branch of the Northern Onondaga Public Library (NOPL), are saying “thank you” to local veterans by knitting and crocheting lap blankets that will be delivered to the VA Hospital in Syracuse on Veterans Day.

Others are invited to get involved in the effort. Blankets must be washable and should measure at least 36 by 38 inches. Donations can be dropped off at NOPL @ Cicero though October.

The NOPL Knitters often work together on projects that will benefit others.

“The majority of knitters do not knit for themselves,” noted Sheila Farley, one of the founding members of the group. “They do it for charity.”

One knitter, Raelene Metko, knits more than 100 handmade mittens every year, which are displayed throughout the holiday season on a “Mitten Tree” at NOPL.

The NOPL Knitters also support the Red Scarf Project each year, which provides care packages — including a knit red scarf — to foster youth who are away at college. Scarves are collected from September through the beginning of December at NOPL Cicero.

“Working on different projects helps everyone learn new things, and it really brings our group together,” said Farley.

More than 30 lap blankets have been completed and dropped off so far, with more expected to be completed soon — just in time for delivery to the veterans on Nov. 11.

New members are always welcome to join the NOPL Knitters, but you don’t have to be a member to participate in their projects. For more information about the NOPL Knitters and their current projects, visit nopl.org/knit.

The NOPL Knitters meet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays at North Syracuse, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays at Cicero and from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Brewerton.