theraineysisters knitting and so much more

‘Cheaper than therapy’ is a not a phrase I coined and has been used often, but that does not make it any less true.  Mary, you know what I mean!  I need to go to my knitting group — especially now that my job has gotten more stressful.  It really is the highpoint of my week (“What a gripping life you must lead.”).  I’m glad Sally has gotten a group going, even if it is not a regular thing yet.

Mary just completed her Ponchette, but it was still drying from being blocked.  The unveiling is next week.  We welcomed a new member to the group: Ginny.  She is a great knitter and happens to know many of the group members already!  Her knitting journey and mine are running in tandem.  She has many of the same (identical) projects, so I must respect her FANTASTIC taste.  She was working on the most gorgeous garter stitch shawl in Kidsilk Haze (color Trance? — light teal) with a bead accent.  (Sally, you would be starting another shawl, believe me).

If you want to start a knitting group, here are some things I have learned that has made our group so successful:

• have it at the same time every week (establish a routine)
• meet at a local coffee shop or restaurant (check around — they usually welcome you with open arms) — the advantage is that no one has to host (i.e., clean!) and you can come and go as you please
• invite a lot of people — open it up to any knitter of any skill level, not just the ones you know; encourage networking, word of mouth, flyers at your LYS, etc. 
• make an effort to get there as often as you can to guarantee a core group
• share ideas, share enthusiasm, share expertise

After going to my group for five years, my husband finally says, “Oh, it’s Thursday — it must be knitting night.”  Even my work friends caught on after six months!  Oh well, at least he gets it now!

I am taking a few days off, but going nowhere (in more ways than one), so I might get to the “Next Big Thing.”  I need to be mentally prepared to embark on a project that will commit me to several months of knitting.  It is not to be undertaken lightly, but I am just about ready.