MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Two women sit quietly together in the multipurpose room of the library here. Their hands move steadily during the weekly Learn to Knit and Crochet class.
Melanie Bengtson, the class instructor, learned to sew from her mother as a child and learned to knit while in 4H and hasn’t been able to put her needles down since.
While she’s been here, Bengtson has traveled throughout Japan searching for different craft stores and buying yarn from all around the world.
Her class has gradually grown smaller from as large as seven to eight people in a class to only a couple people.
Bengtson said that the class is not only offered to anyone who would like to learn the craft of crochet or knitting, but also to any level of needle worker who wants to join their social hour.
“We usually bring food, watch movies and yack our hearts out,” said Bengtson while she worked on finishing up a wool sweater by attaching the sleeves.
Bengtson joked with her friend, co-worker and regular class attendee Nikki Bennett that “Learn to Knit and Crochet” probably isn’t the best name for the class since they would like to invite anyone who would like to participate in any needle craft.
“We’d be happy to have any needle workers come out,” said Bengtson.
Whether you crochet, knit, sew, quilt, cross stitch or do needlepoint, bring your needles and yarn and sit around the table for a couple hours to enjoy the company of other needle crafters, food, movies and gossip about work, school, friends or your husband.
Classes are held every Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. at the station library in Building. 411. For more information, call 253-3078.