Stitching and fiber arts build community
I admit that when I first started looking for local crochet groups to join, I was a bit of a crochet snob. I was intimidated by knitters especially. This intimidation stemmed from one encounter with a yarn shop owner. About 15 years ago, my crochet buddy and I visited a yarn shop near the school where we taught. We were agog at the beautiful yarns and the prices. Yes, we often bought our yarn at local craft stores, so over twenty bucks for a hank was a shock. Hell, I had never purchased a hank. I’d never seen a yarn swift and didn’t know how the crazy looking contraption worked. I was stunned that stitchers actually paid that much for yarn. As we browsed, we looked at each other with raised eyebrows and began searching for a clearance section. We found it. Still pricey. Where was the worsted weight for crying out loud? I was clearly showing my yarn stupidity, which the shop owner picked up on.
I ended up selecting two reduced price merino sock yarn hanks. I had NEVER paid that much for yarn and immediately felt a sense of guilt. My buddy found some worsted weight skeins on clearance. As we paid for our items, we inquired about classes. We were shown a calendar with classes for socks, hats, and scarves. When we asked if the classes were knit or crochet, the woman at the register crinkled her eyebrows and snarked, “We don’t have crochet classes. No one is interested in those.” Well. Okay. Wish I would have known that before I just spent freaking forty bucks on yarn in your shop! Granted, we were fine yarn newbies, but the owner could have shown an ounce of grace.
“The more yarn shops that a community can support, the better, even if I didn’t spend my own money there.”
Diana Martin
As my friend and I plopped in the car and shut the door, we both looked at each other and vowed never to return to the shop. The woman at the register had denigrated a craft we both loved. She had put us down while taking our money. Didn’t she know that crocheters use more yarn than knitters and that there were far more crocheters than knitters? The owner wasted an opportunity to welcome and educate us. Instead, she oozed snobbery and condescension. The shop closed its doors way before the pandemic, which is sad actually. The more yarn shops that a community can support, the better, even if I didn’t spend my own money there. The shop also had a Face Book page showing images of proud knitters sharing their gorgeous creations. They looked like they were having fun sitting around big tables with their projects and needles.
Stitching and fiber arts are inclusive
When I moved to a new town in retirement, I found a new yarn shop, and new safety in stitching groups that celebrate ALL stitching and fiber arts. Our common bond is not a particular craft, but the love of making. Currently, I belong to two local groups, both of which have knitters, crocheters, cross-stitchers, tatters, menders, and beaders. I delight in the diversity of projects. I am fascinated by their processes. Each group has its own vibe, which works for me. And we talk. A lot. We LOVE our yarns, tools, threads, and beads.
” . . . stitchers find each other.”
Diana Martin
Online and In-Person Stitching Communities
I have no quarrel with online communities, other than I see a lot of complaining. I belong to several myself. I often just lurk. I much prefer in-person communities where makers can have an actual dialog. If you are a lonely stitcher with no opportunities to join an in-person group, consider starting your own group at a local coffee shop, community center, or senior center. It may take some time to take hold, but eventually stitchers find each other.