Local knitting collective sews together a community of like-minded folks
by Joan Perry | Contributing Writer
W
hen I was 14, I sat on a verandah in the hills of northeast India next to a lady who was nimbly working magic with a crochet hook and a ball of yarn. She noticed my interest as I nudged closer. Finally, and almost sternly, she said, “You are 14 and you don’t know how to crochet? Watch me.”
Yes, ma’am. I watched and learned. Somehow she is still with me when I pick up a crochet hook, just as my mother’s spirit smiles when I select knitting needles and yarn, and my Scottish grandmother nods approval if I pick up a tatting shuttle.
I was pleased to see the process still happening with the happy chaos I walked into on a Tuesday evening at the Sam Rittenberg Boulevard, Ye Old Fashioned Ice Cream “Stitch ‘n Bitch” session. Wowza!
Three long tables were pushed together to accommodate the knitters, crocheters and cross stitchers in the center of the busy restaurant. Lively greetings and conversations were in progress while hands kept busy with complex patterns and juggling yarn colors. The ladies were making samplers, sweaters and blankets while they nibbled on salads and enjoyed ice cream treats.
Group administrator – Angela Paroda Smith, estimated that there were 400 members in the Stitch ‘N Bitch Charleston Facebook group, while approximately 20 regulars come to the weekly Tuesday group. Even more join a Saturday gathering at Panera Bread in the Tanger mall. Social media members are encouraged to share photos of their work in progress.
I maneuvered around the crowded tables admiring the work in progress. Clearly, socially it is a real life success.
Jessica, a Roper Hospital OR nurse is from Tennessee. New to West Ashley, she hoped to make new friends and meet people with a common interest: cross stitching. Alexa, a Pharmacist at Roper Hospital said that being part of a group challenged and inspired her to be more creative. Now they greet each other in the hospital hallways.
Emilie had gone from being a teacher to working at home and missed social interaction. She spent too much solitary time cross-stitching during the pandemic. Fifteen year old daughter Darcy, was the youngest in the group that day. She learned crochet from YouTube and donates hats to Trident United Way and blankets to the Linus project.
Teri is a crossstitcher who also participates with the Sew Much Fun group at the Waring Center. She gleefully explained that members often donate supplies and unfinished projects that she is able to add to her stash to keep busy as she travels. She juggles multiple projects at once and has a dozen in different stages of completion.
Cailtyn joined the group a year ago with crochet as her skill. At that time she was looking for something to get her out of the house. Now as a teacher, she finds students often notice and comment appreciatively on her handmade items. She enjoys making practical items – vests, tank tops, skirts and was working on a strap for her phone.
Members join together outside of weekly meet-ups to participate in the recent Knit in Public day, and to attend a pottery ceramic class. There was enthusiastic talk about an annual trip to Asheville, North Carolina to attend the Southeastern Animal Fibre Fair (SAFF) event, where vendors sell yarn and wool is woven directly from a sheep to a shawl. Participants donate leftover yarn to a Prisoner Yarn program.
They shared the scoop on gadgets that would have surprised my grandmother – an electronic stitch counter, for heaven’s sake.
Catching up at the head of the table, Lisa and Kim were part of the original gang and recalled meeting in homes. They’ve been part of the group for close to ten years and have seen members come and go. From West Ashley, Folly Beach, Park Circle to Goose Creek, teachers, healthcare and tech workers, teenagers to retirees, the women were joyfully sharing, learning and enjoying the creative camaraderie.
Emilie said, “I like the variety of ages and backgrounds. We all learn from each other. We miss someone if they don’t show up.”
This group’s goal is to forge relationships among fellow local crafters and all skill levels are welcome. Angela Paroda Smith joked, “We stitch, we bitch, and we eat ice-cream!” She raved about the welcome offered by Ye Old Fashioned, and as I rallied the group for a photo, a staff member snuck in behind me to get one for their customer wall of fame.
Stay healthy my friends and wave at me as I wander. Send ideas for upcoming columns to: westashleywanderer@gmail.com.
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