I Am a Knitter - The Slipt-Stitch Knitting Guild

One benefit of exploring new activities in retirement is the constant possibility of making a new friend.  I have been fortunate that my life has been filled with vibrant people who have expanded my experience of life and been there to stand with me when life threw me curves.  As circumstances change, the frequency of our interactions may lessen but it doesn't lessen the appreciation I have for their impact on my life as I pass through my various seasons.

One friend I made in our Learning-in-Retirement organization also happened to be a very accomplished knitter. As I would watch her creating the most interesting, fascinating designs I found myself drawn to trying new ideas in my own knitting.  And like most knitters, Monika was always eager to share her expertise. She suggested I might be interested in the local Slipt-Stitch Knitting Guild and invited me to attend as her guest.  I was expecting to see maybe 10 little old ladies sitting in a circle, their laps draped with afghans in progress.  I was amazed to find this room packed with at least 70 women (and 1 man) of all ages sitting at long rows of tables.

Yes, they were knitting as they talked but their laps were filled with exotic yarns and colors, fingers working intricate patterns.

Where did these people come from?  As I lurked in the background and listened I heard them talking about conferences, workshops, trunk shows, dropping names of knitting celebrities...famous fiber experts and knit designers.  After a short business meeting, members participated in a "Show and Share," exhibiting recently finished projects, explaining the pattern and the yarn.  Items that made me want to run right to the nearest yarn shop to try to duplicate it.  Talk about motivation!

The last half of the meeting was a program where some knitting technique was taught to the group...usually by one of the members.  In addition to monthly meetings this group does other things, like knit for charity, walk in marathons like "Race for the Cure," knit in public by meeting at a park, or a mall, or even on a boat for an afternoon of conversation and knitting and showing the world that knitting does not have to be a clandestine activity!

Since joining the Guild I have expanded my own knitting skills and am less afraid to try something new, like my recent baby sweater.

What I have learned from this experience is that for whatever floats your boat...there is a group of like-minded people who share your interest and that you can join.  There is a knitting underground...just like there is a tango underground, a Learning-in-Retirement underground, a gardening underground and a wine-lovers underground.  Birds of a feather DO flock together and following what interests you provides an entree into a new group of friends.  No one has to be lonely.  Life does not have to be boring and one-dimensional.  All I have to do is step out the door and follow my interest.