Flowertown Knitting Guild

Week 6 = Knitting Groups
Day 2 = February 6, 2014

 

     There's an article called "Don't stop knitting! It keeps you healthy," by Katherine Martinko, going around knitting sites on the internet. I first saw it on Facebook yesterday. Katherine lists 7 reasons that knitting keeps you healthy. Well, guess what number 3 on the list is?

 

     3. Knitting connects people. By joining a knitting group, a solitary activity turns into a social one. One study, called “The Benefits of Knitting for Personal and Social Wellbeing in Adulthood” and published in the British Journal of Occupational Therapy, found that “knitting in a group impacted significantly on perceived happiness, improved social contact, and communication with others.”

 

     What a coincidence, and great timing for my blog too.

 

     Flowertown Knitting Guild is my local guild here in Summerville, SC. The guild is a paid membership group that meets monthly. Each month we have a different instructional class after guild business is done. We have quite a variety of classes already planned for 2014.

• Knitted Flowers
• How To Magic Loop  
• Make a Reversible Cable Bookmark 
• Beaded Knitting with a Crochet Hook  
• Knitted Christmas Balls
• Dyeing Yarn
• Make a Beaded Bracelet using Pre-strung Beads 

     Throughout our inaugural year (2013), we hosted and participated in additional events aside from our monthly meetings, including:

• Westview Primary Spring Carnival
• Charity Knit Night
• World Wide Knit in Public Events
• Flowertown Knitting Guild Knit-In
• Knit night at the Joe (Charleston River Dogs game)
• Cold Mountain KAL
• De-stash party
• Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair Retreat

     Other endeavor that the guild has taken pride in is our charity knitting. We've reached out to local groups to see if there is any need that we could fill by knitting. Some projects were on a timeline and some are still ongoing. To encourage charity knitting I have hosted monthly Charity Knit Nights at my home. Giving back a is huge part of life and with a warm knit blanket in hand our guild has embraced is.

• Lowcountry Pregnancy Center - Baby blankets
• Summerville, SPCA - Pet Blankets to put in the crates of the animals to calm them and make them more adoptable.
• Flowertown Elementary - Hats for small children
• TriCounty Family Ministries - Adult or Child hats
• Red Scarf Project - Scarves for foster children (they get a care package on Valentine's Day, which includes a red scarf)

     Just to impress upon you the wonders of knitting groups, I've an example for you. My bestie, (best friend for those of you that don't watch The Big Bang Theory) Eileen, and I met only a year ago at the very first Flowertown Knitting Guild meeting. We went to the meetings and then, through several guild events and other knitting outings, were able to form a much deeper bond. My kids even have a special nickname for her, Nene.

    
     Here is a photo gallery of some of our guild events and meetings.

Guild Meeting - led by our fearless President Tamara Goff

Westview Primary Spring Carnival - with Eweniece on the table

Knitting in public, like we need a reason but we will take it.
 

During our Knit in we have The Village Knittery surrounded.
 

Did I mention surrounded on both sides?

Knit Night at the Joe, with a photo bomb by my friend Scarlett.

Pet blankets for the local SCPA.

    

A gift we made for member and The Village Knittery owner, Emily Spearman.



Charity project of hats for a local elementary school.

   
     Having fun with people who share your passion is a great thing. I would recommend that also you find a group. Whether you like coin collecting, painting, baking, knitting or any other interest, find those people that love what you love and do NOT be afraid to put yourself out there. Maybe your new bestie is out there waiting for you.

Question of the Day

What is your favorite knitting charity project that you have done?

Knitting while Learning,

Victoria