Diana Hiott learned to knit from a babysitter with a pair of pencils. Since then, she has honed her skills and has made sweaters, hats, socks, scarves and afghans. Sometimes, she even spins her own wool.

Hiott recently relocated to Clanton from Montgomery, where she was involved in a knitting circle. She hopes to start one in Clanton at the Whistle Stop Café downtown.

Knitting, Hiott said, lends itself to being a social hobby.

“It’s very repetitive, so you don’t have to think much while doing it,” Hiott said. “Historically, it’s been something women do together.”

Hiott would like women in the community who knit — or would like to learn how — to join her at the Whistle Stop once a week for a “Sit and Knit” session.

She said the Whistle Stop is an ideal location for a social knitting group because it offers food and drink as well as Wi-Fi, which she said can be used to pull free knitting patterns off the Internet.

Mike Curry, owner of the Whistle Stop, said he has seen various knitters in his store before.

“We had about five to six ladies who were in here with some regularity,” Curry said.

According to Hiott, knitting has been gaining popularity in recent years.

“There are a lot of younger folks getting into it,” she said.

She said knitting gives people a way to make something unique to wear.

Hiott also said knitting is a good hobby for folks on the go.

“It is a real portable hobby,” she said.

However, knitting is not for everyone.

“You have to be able to sit still for a while,” Hiott said.

Those interested in attending the Sit-and-Knit sessions can contact Hiott at 280-2660.