In the early Autumn of 2011 I picked up a cosy-looking novel called The Knitting Circle. Having endured a lingering depression and anxiety for most of my adult life, I was experiencing a particularly bad ‘bout’ and sought comfort. The book looked easy to read (nothing too much to focus on) and I had a whole weekend to focus on it. . I had just regained an interest in knitting which I hadn’t picked up since my Junior School years in the mid-80s*. I wondered if the book might help me to knit again.
In fact, the story wasn’t so much about knitting. It was more about the grief of a young mother and how a knit club helped her to function again and pick up her life after loss. I could relate a little to Mary, the main protagonist of the story. The unexplained sadness and despair of the depression, coupled with crippling anxiety, affected my life in so many ways. I drifted away from friends (I had nothing interesting to say and felt I’d make them depressed too), avoided family gatherings and lost confidence at work. I became more and more introverted; more and more sad. As the story began to unfold, I realised that I needed such a club in my life!
Instagram filled that gap for a while. We shared our favourite new mugs, WIPs and TV recommendations all by quickly snapped chronological photos. A #widn (what I’m doing now) tag linked loads of us and a click through the photos would reveal cosy be-slippered feet, Pyjama-clad legs and steaming mugs of tea. We encouraged each others’ purchases and commiserated over rubbish days at work. It was a proper uplifting uncomplicated connection (and I know that many of you reading have been with me since those days - hi girls!). I am raising a little glass of something to Leanne.
Still, there was nothing near me that I could attend in person. There was a plethora of tap dance, yoga and boot camp classes near me but I wanted something more creative, less sweaty. I tried the nearest WI, in desperation, but the members (whilst super friendly) were set in their ways and didn’t want to try out new speakers or activities.
When I started The Stitchery and secured my first tiny studio, I knew right away that I wanted to invite people to come and stitch with me. I wanted to create a pretty and cosy place, where people could come on their own to happily occupy a chair, drink tea and work on something slowly and mindfully by hand.
Before Covid hit, we had built up a great group of ladies, many coming to every single session with colourful bags and baskets full of knitting, stitching and sewing. Lots bearing cake. Women of all ages, from all kinds of backgrounds, gathering together to chat about life, books, favourite stitching patterns and admire each other’s WIPs. It was the highlight of my month!
As an extroverted-introvert** and more of a listener than a talker, it is comfortable to sit with a group of people socially and have the security of a project to work on. Fellow stitchers accept that you’re working on something and may need to concentrate - it feels less awkward to be a quiet member of a group when you have something you can focus on as well as the conversation.
After a few false starts and a hectic couple of years, Stitch Club is regrouping in earnest. Lovely familiar faces will, hopefully, be back to bagsy their favourite chairs and chat about life. I am also hoping that new people will join. That YOU will come along if you feel it’s something you might fancy. Anyone is welcome; you can work on any kind of crafty project. We provide the space, the teapot and the chatter that you need to feel part of something in an easy, relaxed environment. Introverts, extroverts and everyone in between. All valued, all welcome! Come and join us! You can book here.
Love
Nicki xx
PS I know that people live some distance from the studio and I am keen to provide an online space for us to gather. Keep an eye on my newsletter for details of my monthly online stitch club for all things stitchy and chatty. You can sign up for the newsletter at the foot of this page.
PPS Did I pique your interest in the book? It wasn’t until after I’d bought it that I realised it is semi-autobiographical. It’s a heart-warming story about how people show up for each other in unexpected ways.
*I am not entirely sure why we knitted squares for blankets at Junior School. My memory is hazy. I don’t recall if clothing and warmth was required, or if they were being raffled to raise money. I just knit those garter stitch squares like they were going out of fashion!
**Are you an extroverted introvert like me? An introverted extrovert maybe or a plain old extrovert?! I find this sort of psychology fascinating, I love that the world is made up of so many different people. Also, my life is so much easier since I started to pay attention to the things that make me tick!
We children were knitting squares to be made into blankets in response to the Ethiopian famine crisis. I forget now how it was anticipated that the blankets would help but I do remember volunteering my Mum to come and teach us to knit - I then spent rainy break times helping my school friends with their knitted squares as the self-appointed knitting expert of the class!