The Knit Wits have been through a lot together. Births, deaths, hospitalizations in a foreign country. Throughout it all, they’ve shared fellowship. “We have people to live life with,” says member Robbi Flynn, recalling that after the death of her husband, the Knit Wits sprung into action, bringing her cinnamon rolls every morning and giving her support as she mourned. It’s a lot more than just a knitting group.

“We have knitters and crocheters and a few who just come to sit and drink coffee,” says Dotty Mills. The day I joined them her grandson, visiting from Japan, dropped by CC’s to see the knitting ladies.  They were all excited to see him, although apparently such males who drop into the group get labeled “Dim Wits”, affectionately. “We’ve had a few men join for a time or two, but it’s always been us ladies.”

The group of about 15 women started out in St. Francisville at the Birdman. “It wasn’t anything formal, we just started going up there a few times a month to knit,” explains Sara Morris. Soon, though, the word got out about the meet up and it started to grow. The club’s motto is “Perfection is Boring” and these ladies are anything but that! They moved to the CC’s in Zachary when it opened up, and they kept on knitting right through the pandemic.

“We set up our lawn chairs and came out and sat outside,” Dottie laughs. When inside dining was allowed again they moved inside...but from a socially distanced degree of separation. “We took up the whole place!”

The group meets every Thursday afternoon at 1,  with most attending the Community Bible Study at Plains Presbyterian first. “It’s a place to work through the good and the bad, the trials and tribulations, to talk or not to talk,” explains Amy Dunaway, “And a place to get good coffee!”

In a world where our social interactions too often take place exclusively online, having a real physical place to go see friends in person becomes crucial. Amy spent several months hospitalized but “rolled straight out of rehab and in here to knit.” Her husband and temporary chauffeur, wisely, found a quiet place on the opposite side of the coffee shop to wait. He’s no Dim Wit!