Several years ago, the Stitches craft group at Moving Communities to Christ (MCC) Church switched the location of its monthly meetings to the Village Library of Morgantown. The goal was to encourage more people from the community to join the church members in working on various sewing projects.

Now known as MCC Stitches, the group continues to meet at the library on the fourth Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to noon. The next scheduled meeting is set for Jan. 25.

"We called it Stitches in the church building. When we starting meeting at the library, we started calling it MCC Stitches, so people knew where we came from," said Kara Campbell, who is a group leader along with Brenda Pearsall.

The group is free and open to people of all ages who knit or crochet or who want to learn. All supplies are included, or sewers may bring their own projects.

"Knitting and crocheting is the primary craft that we cover, but some women come in and bring in embroidery, cross-stitching and looming," Campbell said. "The group is open for people to fellowship with us. If coloring is your thing, bring your crayons and sit with us. It's all about the fellowship."

Campbell said attendance has grown to include more members from outside the church. "The community has joined in, which is why I (have been) reaching out on the public Facebook groups to bring more people in," she noted. "We have had up to 25 (in attendance), and sometimes we have three. It depends on the time of year. There is no commitment; you don't have to be there every month."

Light snacks are provided, and each gathering begins with a Christian devotional reading that relates to a craft.

The stitchers have made various items for local nonprofit organizations, including Anchored Ministries of Elverson. "In the winter, we donate hats and scarves, and in summertime, light blankets and prayer shawls," Campbell noted. "At Sunny Crest Home, we did projects with (the residents) and donated lap blankets while there and handed them out."

Among the group's other projects are making hats for the men at Hope Rescue Mission in Reading; making blankets, scarves, washcloths and other items for residents of Mary's Shelter in Reading; making blankets for hospitalized and homebound individuals; and making lap blankets that were donated to the Wrapped In Hugs Program, which provides a wrap to families of donors who have participated in the Gift of Life Donor Program.

Campbell said that the craft group attracts people of all ages, noting that sometimes mothers and grandmothers bring their children or grandchildren to learn knitting and crocheting. "We have taught children as young as 8," she reported.

Campbell encourages people to attend the January meeting to give knitting or crocheting a try. "After Christmas is done and people want something to do, (they can) get out of the house and learn a new craft," she added. "It's a good time of year to gather people. A small group is nice because it's intimate, but I want people to come and learn, and they can take the craft with them."

The Village Library is located at 207 N. Walnut St., Morgantown. For more information about the craft group, email kara.campbell48@gmail.com or join the "MCC Stitches" Facebook group.