LONGMEADOW – A dozen women sat around a long table in the Betty Ann Low Meeting Room at the Storrs Library on Oct. 29. They talk while their hands busily work yarn of all types and colors around knitting needles.

The Novel Knitters knitting group are not just in it for the camaraderie, though. They often work on projects for various charities, such as the recently finished scarf drive for the annual Rays of Hope Breast Cancer Walk that took place on Oct. 27. From Sept. 9 to Oct. 23, 79 pink scarves and five bags were knitted for breast cancer survivors at the charity run. The group surpassed last year’s total of 72 scarves.

Currently, the Novel Knitters are working on “Northampton Knits,” a project that will benefit the homeless in Northampton.

“It’s nice to give back to the community. I think knitters knit more for others than for themselves,” said Lucille Miller, a knitter in the group.

Vitkauskias has been running the Novel Knitters program since her return to the library in June after a professional hiatus. She said the program began years ago and was started by a former librarian Carole Mazzarino.

“It’s very social,” said Becky Vitkauskias, the programming and collection development librarian at the Storrs Library. “Sometimes people will bring coffee and breakfast. Other times there are yarn swaps.”

While it’s not a class, Vitkauskias said, “most people are willing to share their knowledge.” Knitter JoAnn Shupe agreed.

“If you have a complex pattern, there’s someone to help. If you barely know how to cast on, there’s someone to help,” Shupe said as she worked on a scrap-yarn blanket, pulling from a bag by her feet that was filled with rolled-up balls of yarn remnants. Shupe first heard about the knitting group from a flyer in a Somers, Ct., yarn shop and has been attending the group for about three years.

Vitkauskias said that usually about 20 people come to knit or crochet together each week, depending on the time of year and the weather. The program traditionally takes summers off, she explained, since many people go on vacation and knitting is a cold-weather hobby for many.

The Novel Knitters drop-in sessions are held at the Storrs Library each Tuesday from 9:30 until 11:30 a.m.