LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) -- A local business is using knitting as a form of therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

L.E. Originals in downtown Lafayette has social groups that meet almost daily to stitch together scarves, blankets, and hats among other things.

They knit, they laugh and they talk about the problems in their lives.

The group is primarily made up of women who host theme nights throughout the week. Men are allowed.

Wednesdays you can make socks and Thursdays are for knit nights.

The owner of L.E. Originals, Linda Elmore, said the group has become like her family.

"I just feel like the knitting community needed a place to come and play and that's where we are and not only do we get to knit together, but we wind up being friends," said Elmore.

L.E. Originals has been open 10 months and since its inception there has been a group of primarily women who spend hours with the hobby.

COVID-19 put a strain on the group for several weeks, but the store has since reopened.

"It's therapy and it really does calm you down plus it gets your mind off things," said Carol Plomin.

Plomin is a retired nurse and spends several hours a week at L.E. Originals.

"In fact I missed it so much, I missed it very much," said Elmore. 

Elmore said she missed the laughter, but also the friendship.

Elmore and Plomin are tight knit friends. Plomin said the store was close to its last needle before relief came in the form of a small business loan from the city.

"She's feeling it," said Plomin.

"I'm better now I can pay rent," said Elmore.

"That's why we need to get people back and we need to get people back in buying it and feeling this yarn," said Plomin. 

"I'm keeping my fingers crossed," said Elmore.

Fingers are clocking in at L.E. Originals. People can spend an hour there or even up to 40 if they want to.

Mainly it's a form of therapy.

"I think everyone here does," said Elmore. "We find it puts some comfort in our lives at home and then we are together then we can share what we have been working on."

Linda is working on a retreat for the group in July so she can hear more laughter and camaraderie

The hours and themes for each knit night are below:

L.E. Originals is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Wednesday nights are for socks; 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Thursday nights are knit nights, open to everyone; 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Every other Friday including this Friday, May 28th is crochet night.