Want to join a knitting group?

Are you a lonely knitter? Do your knitting needles crave the sound of others clicking nearby? By Olivia Gordon

 

If you're used to knitting with only your husband for company, you'll know his refrain of ‘Yes, dear, very nice' in response to your amazing new yarn or pattern design simply doesn't cut it. Knitters need other knitters, and whether you want to learn new stitches or pass on your skills, the warm companionship of a knitting group could not only enrich your love of knitting, but even change your life.

What is a knitting group?

A knitting group is simply a regular meeting for a circle of people who like knitting or crochet. Typically, it's an informal free club - some meet weekly, others monthly, and they can have members of all ages. There are dozens of established knitting groups all over the UK which are always keen for new members, so there's bound to be one near you. Or you could start your own knitting group.

 

You'll probably have heard of the most famous network of knitting groups, Stitch'n'Bitch (the biggest knitting club in the UK is the Stitch'n'Bitch London group). In fact the term ‘stitch'n'bitch' is said to have been used to describe knitting meetings since the Second World War, and it certainly captures the way knitting goes so well with a good natter. But knitting clubs have seen a resurgence with the knitting boom of the last decade, and American writer-knitter Debbie Stoller is usually credited with starting the deluge of official ‘Stitch'n'Bitch' groups when she launched a successful New York knitters' club in the early noughties. (She's also the author of the popular stitch'n'bitch knitting books).

 

What sort of knitting groups can I join?

Today there are well over 500 worldwide Stitch'n'Bitch groups - but there are many more groups too which don't use the Stitch'n'Bitch moniker. 

 

Most are neighbourhood clubs, while others are linked with religious, workplace or charity groups, or are meeting points for knitters interested in anything from yarn spinning to books, or theatre. Some groups meet to knit while watching films; others work on group charity projects. Some are for mothers with babies, while still others are for men who knit, or gay knitters. Take your pick!

 

What will I get out of it?

Fundamentally, knitting groups are a chance to make new friends who share your passion for knitting, and with whom you can share skills. ‘Coming to knitting group is not just about projects - it's about people,' says Liz Finegold of London's Golders Green knitting club, a merry group of knitters of all ages and experience levels who discuss everything from diets to advice as they click away. ‘I would never have done socks or cardigans if I hadn't had my knitting group mentors - they're almost like surrogate mothers!' Natalie Teich, from the same group, adds: ‘Everyone contributes to the conversation, and we share knitting books and magazines. Some of the group want to learn; others are happy to pass on their skills.' The group is so bonded they even have separate get-togethers with their families and knit gifts for one another.

 

Leisa Gray, who's recently started a knitting group in Tameside, near Manchester, explains: ‘It gives people the chance to see what other people are making - which we all like - and so provides inspiration and a good focus for talking.  People also just share the details of their lives, talking of husbands, children, pets, holidays and so on, and I think women need a bit of that!'

 

How do I find a group?

Ask at your local knitting shop, sign up to knitting newsletters and read knitting magazines, or look at some of the following websites for information on knitting groups nationwide:

 

www.bhkc.co.uk

www.knitrowan.com

www.ravelry.com

www.stitchnbitch.co.uk

http://stitchnbitch.org

www.knittingforums.org.uk

www.knitting-and-crochet-guild.org.uk

 

I want to start my own group!

There is some useful advice on the dos and don'ts of starting your own group at http://stitchnbitch.org/How-to-Start-a-Stitch-n-Bitch.html - for example, it's wise to hold the group in an easy-to-reach public place rather than in somebody's home. Registering a knitting group with Stitch'n'Bitch is very informal and allows you to advertise it on the official website.

 

Or if you're looking for others in your area to join your group, check out the list of people keen to set up new clubs here, or advertise on this list yourself: www.bhkc.co.uk

 

You and your knitting needles need never be lonely again!

 

 

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