Knitting clubs
Encyclopedia
Knitting clubs are a feature of the recent revival of hand knitting which began in America and has spread to most of Europe. Despite the name, knitting clubs are not limited to knitting
: both crochet
-centered and knit-centered clubs are collectively called "knitting clubs." While some may say knitting
has never really gone away, this latest reincarnation is less about the make do and mend of the 1940s and 50s and more about making a statement about individuality as well as developing an innate sense of community. These clubs are usually not knitting-exclusive, as many times a knitting club will include crocheters. Clubs range from those aimed at beginners, experts, and a mix of both.
, to learn or develop the skills of hand knitting or hand crocheting, a great fun night out. Clubs meet in coffee bars, pubs and clubs and members are drawn from all walks of life, including different generations, social classes, and genders. Crafters meet to exchange ideas about projects, chat about their lives, exchange yarns and yarn ideas for projects, or non-craft related activities, similar to a quilting bee. These clubs provide an atmosphere where beginning crafters can seek assistance from more experienced crafters. Due to the rise of the Stitch n' Bitch books, amigurumi
, and numerous other crochet and knit projects, both crafts have grown in popularity, and the demographics of those who practice the craft include younger women and some men.
clubs take their name from the book by American knitting guru Debbie Stoller
but the term Knit and Natter is also used.
Rowan Yarns runs clubs which get involved in charitable events. In 2007 the Rowan Knitting clubs spearheaded Knit in Public Day encouraging knitters all around the UK to knit hats for innocent Drinks
Smoothie bottles to raise money for Age Concern
in the Big Knit. Currently this is the biggest knitting club event in the UK.
A total of 4,000 people are now part of a Rowan club of some kind, including the existing 8,000 members of Rowan International - the membership subscription to Rowan magazines and gifts.
In January 2008, the knitting club for Imperial College London
was set up, aptly named 'Knit Sock' (pun intended).
and Etsy
, in the United States that help knitters and crocheters, whether skilled or beginners, find local clubs to socialize with fellow knitters or crocheters. Common meeting places are usually local yarn shops, and as in the UK, Stitch 'n Bitch
clubs are very popular within the United States.
Knitters meeting in these types of clubs are often women in their 20s and thirties,. Many yarn shops offer free help to knitters and crocheters, regardless of whether they are part of the local club or not. Clubs usually have their own groups on Ravelry, where users can search for local yarn shops, knitting clubs, and crochet clubs.
Knitting
Knitting is a method by which thread or yarn may be turned into cloth or other fine crafts. Knitted fabric consists of consecutive rows of loops, called stitches. As each row progresses, a new loop is pulled through an existing loop. The active stitches are held on a needle until another loop can...
: both crochet
Crochet
Crochet is a process of creating fabric from yarn, thread, or other material strands using a crochet hook. The word is derived from the French word "crochet", meaning hook. Hooks can be made of materials such as metals, woods or plastic and are commercially manufactured as well as produced by...
-centered and knit-centered clubs are collectively called "knitting clubs." While some may say knitting
Knitting
Knitting is a method by which thread or yarn may be turned into cloth or other fine crafts. Knitted fabric consists of consecutive rows of loops, called stitches. As each row progresses, a new loop is pulled through an existing loop. The active stitches are held on a needle until another loop can...
has never really gone away, this latest reincarnation is less about the make do and mend of the 1940s and 50s and more about making a statement about individuality as well as developing an innate sense of community. These clubs are usually not knitting-exclusive, as many times a knitting club will include crocheters. Clubs range from those aimed at beginners, experts, and a mix of both.
Purpose
Knitting clubs fulfill many purposes: to get together with other knittersKnitting
Knitting is a method by which thread or yarn may be turned into cloth or other fine crafts. Knitted fabric consists of consecutive rows of loops, called stitches. As each row progresses, a new loop is pulled through an existing loop. The active stitches are held on a needle until another loop can...
, to learn or develop the skills of hand knitting or hand crocheting, a great fun night out. Clubs meet in coffee bars, pubs and clubs and members are drawn from all walks of life, including different generations, social classes, and genders. Crafters meet to exchange ideas about projects, chat about their lives, exchange yarns and yarn ideas for projects, or non-craft related activities, similar to a quilting bee. These clubs provide an atmosphere where beginning crafters can seek assistance from more experienced crafters. Due to the rise of the Stitch n' Bitch books, amigurumi
Amigurumi
is the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small stuffed animals and anthropomorphic creatures. The word is derived from a combination of the Japanese words ami, meaning crocheted or knitted, and nuigurumi, meaning stuffed doll...
, and numerous other crochet and knit projects, both crafts have grown in popularity, and the demographics of those who practice the craft include younger women and some men.
Knitting in the UK
In the UK there are many websites that help knitters get in touch with their local club. Stitch 'n BitchStitch 'n Bitch
Stitch 'n Bitch is a phrase that has been used to refer to social knitting groups since at least World War II. Stitch 'n Bitch: The Knitters Handbook, Published in 2003, was the first in a series of best-selling instructional books on knitting and crochet all titled with the phrase Stitch 'n...
clubs take their name from the book by American knitting guru Debbie Stoller
Debbie Stoller
Debbie Stoller is a New York Times best-selling American author, publisher and feminist pundit whose work includes magazines as well as books. She lives in Brooklyn, New York City, New York....
but the term Knit and Natter is also used.
Rowan Yarns runs clubs which get involved in charitable events. In 2007 the Rowan Knitting clubs spearheaded Knit in Public Day encouraging knitters all around the UK to knit hats for innocent Drinks
Innocent Drinks
Innocent Drinks is a UK-based company founded in 1999 whose primary business is producing smoothies and flavoured spring water, sold in supermarkets, coffee shops and various other outlets nationally as well as in Ireland, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Austria, Denmark and Switzerland...
Smoothie bottles to raise money for Age Concern
Age Concern
Age Concern was the banner title used by a number of charitable organisations specifically concerned with the needs and interests of all older people based chiefly in the four countries of the United Kingdom....
in the Big Knit. Currently this is the biggest knitting club event in the UK.
A total of 4,000 people are now part of a Rowan club of some kind, including the existing 8,000 members of Rowan International - the membership subscription to Rowan magazines and gifts.
In January 2008, the knitting club for Imperial College London
Imperial College London
Imperial College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom, specialising in science, engineering, business and medicine...
was set up, aptly named 'Knit Sock' (pun intended).
Knitting in the US
As in the UK, there are many websites, such as RavelryRavelry
Ravelry is a free social networking website, beta-launched in May 2007. It functions as an organizational tool for a variety of fiber arts including knitting, crocheting, spinning, and weaving. Members share projects, ideas, and their collection of yarn, fiber, and tools via various components...
and Etsy
Etsy
Etsy is an e-commerce website focused on handmade or vintage items as well as art and craft supplies. These items cover a wide range including art, photography, clothing, jewelry, edibles, bath & beauty products, quilts, knick-knacks and toys. Many individuals also sell craft supplies like beads,...
, in the United States that help knitters and crocheters, whether skilled or beginners, find local clubs to socialize with fellow knitters or crocheters. Common meeting places are usually local yarn shops, and as in the UK, Stitch 'n Bitch
Stitch 'n Bitch
Stitch 'n Bitch is a phrase that has been used to refer to social knitting groups since at least World War II. Stitch 'n Bitch: The Knitters Handbook, Published in 2003, was the first in a series of best-selling instructional books on knitting and crochet all titled with the phrase Stitch 'n...
clubs are very popular within the United States.
Knitters meeting in these types of clubs are often women in their 20s and thirties,. Many yarn shops offer free help to knitters and crocheters, regardless of whether they are part of the local club or not. Clubs usually have their own groups on Ravelry, where users can search for local yarn shops, knitting clubs, and crochet clubs.
External links
- Knitting groups: Stitch 'n Bitch Chicago (Contact information for local groups nationwide) Ravelry ~ a popular virtual Knitting Club:
- Ravelry: Ravelry (A social network for knitters)
- Debbie Stoller: Stitch 'n Bitch promotional web site (Book series)