Knitting hobbyist Sylvie Rueff, Lawrence, watches closely as Central Junior High School freshman Evan Robinson works his way through the beginning stages of learning how to knit.

One stitch at a time, several Central Junior High School students and community members worked together last week to create squares that eventually will become blankets for people in need.

The school’s site council organized a Knitting Teach-In to coincide with the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday Jan. 21, said Nora Murphy, council member.

“Martin Luther King spent his life serving the needy and the homeless,” she said. “We felt that a project that taught children how to do a practical craft as well as collaborate on a larger project – and also have the end result of the project serve the poor – we thought that was a good fit, recognizing the community spirit of Martin Luther King’s vision.”

Between 60 and 80 students participated during homeroom or the after-school program. About 20 volunteers – including Susan Bateman and her staff from Yarn Barn and Nancy Brown, the lead knitting instructor at Michael’s – taught children how to knit, crochet or knifty-knit individual squares. Yarn was donated from the community, and Bateman located a supplier who donated 100 knitting needles for students to use and then keep.

“It was hard the first day because we didn’t really get it, but now it’s really easy and fun,” said seventh-grader Cante England. “It’s cool because we’re helping people.”

On Monday, the squares will be sewn together to make at least two blankets.

The idea for the project came from the Warm Up America program sponsored by Michael’s. The program donates handmade afghans and quilts to local United Way organizations. Brown said the quilts will most likely go to Women’s Transitional Care Services in Lawrence, which provides services for women and their children.

After-school program site coordinator Laura Leonard said the project was valuable for the students to work alongside community members.

“I think it’s fabulous for the kids to be able to see how their one little piece of work, how their little bit of time can come together and make something larger for the community as a whole,” she said.