Do Knitters' Groups Puzzle You?

It's not an offbeat question. The UWS (upper west side) Knit Circle, in a Manhattan Starbucks was my very first encounter with a knitting group.  (That's me in the lower left corner, September 2003, thanks for the photo, Karla).  Sydney Fox, sitting across from me in blue shirt, told me it was easy to join.  Anyone could.  Many customers were surprised to see us, asked, "How come?"   Seemed so obvious:  where else in a crowded city can a large group, women who do not know one another, meet around a shared interest.

Okay, it was not ideal.  The door to the bathroom was right behind me, the music was often annoying.  Sounds like your usual NYC public space challenge.  It was just after 9/11 that Jen, a courageous new knitter (working on her PhD along with a day job) had the idea.  Perhaps it was the need to feel safer in the City that fueled our growth. From one small round table, we grew to what you see here--seven tables pushed together--and extra chairs added.

Starbucks was a gracious host.  Phone calls to the cafe, "When does that knitting group meet?" were dutifully answered by baristas, "Wednesday night, at six."  Each knitter understood she should make one purchase; a bottle of water would suffice.  This is, after all, a commercial operation.  When it closed its doors, this first Starbucks in Manhattan, the staff member we'd taught to knit, helped "re-locate" us to another nearby Starbucks.  More on my website, Cithyworm, on the life of this serendipitous women's group.

There are now a number of public knitting groups in the City.  For me, this one was very special--very diverse and inclusive.  Within its circle, I could be comfortable with those much younger and vice versa.  I learned about the lives of women having to keep a "young look" after 50 to stay employable.  Some of the knitters developed friendships beyond the circle; many were glad to have this time to talk about what was on their minds, ask others how-to questions about knit and crochet, get a collective "Oh!" when a garment was held up for group approval.

It is a similar kind of safety that draws me to women blogging (with some exceptions, of course).  Why not be more open to bloggers of all ages, as I was in the UWS Knit Circle?  Why not describe a little red hen as a "knitting blog."  Because elder bloggers impress me as having a wider range of interests.  Some are also knitters, some grandmothers, peace advocates--it's a part of the whole.  My goal is to share the creativity in the third age that grows out of lives shaped over many years.

That's my answer to a recent Commenter's question on the usefulness of Elderbloggers' identifying ourselves.  I have younger friends, see plays I admire by those who could be my grandchildren, live every day in a City driven by the youthquest.  In a place where it's hard to find public space to knit with others, it's even more challening to find elders to exchnge with.  Elderblogger works for me.

Comments

[Claude]

I agree with you, Naomi, I don't knit or crochet or do anything with my hands --except typing, but I am interested in seeing what other women do. I have a friend who quilts and take photos at her quilting events. Her Paris group has a small publication, and they use my photos. I like being useful in that way, since I couldn't share their activities otherwise.

[Susan aka SAZ]

Sounds very much like a knitting group I went to BUT I found I just wanted to socialize rather than knit. That's ok but I kept trying to knit at the same time and would spend the next night at home ripping out my mistakes from when I was at the group.

[Naomi Dagen Bloom]

Claude, good to know that the quilt group knows a fine photographer when they see one.

Susan, yes, the socializing could get in the way for me too. That and the lighting, so I'd take very simple things to work on. In a Crochet class I'm taking, we do the work very intensely. Ideal knit circle would somehow balance all of this!

[goldenlucy]

I'm so glad to be back online. Time for a new computer!
I enjoyed this post even if, like Claude, I'm not very good with my hands. (My mouth? THAT'S a different story!)
You look pretty adorable and fun-loving in that photo. Makes me wish I could have been there just to kibbutz. Besides, I love Starbucks.
Let's work for a week of peace.

[millie garfield]

Hi Naomi

What you said about your knitting group reminds me of one of my book clubs. One club that I belong to is run by a librarian, That group spends the hour and a half discussing the book and that's great.

The other club I belong to is run by the residents of my complex. We might spend a half hour reviewing the book and the rest of the time talking about, "you name it," It's a great way to get together and say whatever is on our minds.

Both serve a good purpose!

[Sahara]

As an artisan who often works in isolation at home, the knitting group has been a salvation for loneliness. The diversity of knitters keeps me grounded; many of my associates only socialize with those in their professional fields.

And the trans-generational aspect of the group is the best. The younger members find out why "mommy is acting crazy"(menopause), and I help the elders the "insurance speak" of health care. But the best is that we all share in the spirit of creativity together.