Join the knitting revolution

We tend to think of knitting as a hobby favoured by the over sixties, but in the last five years the tides have turned with young, hip twenty-somethings forming knitting groups as a way to relax and unwind. We look at the knitting networks, blogs and websites that are taking the country by storm.

KNITTING NETWORKS

StichnBitch.co.uk.
The American Stitch 'n' Bitch movement was launched in 2001 by Bust magazine editor, Debbie Stoller, and quickly changed knitting's image from old and fusty to young and fun. The concept is simple, with knitting and chatting the winning formula. Stitch ‘n' Bitch launched in Britain in January 2005. Use the site to find a network near you or start your own network.

Iknit.org.uk

Based near Waterloo, London, I Knit London runs classes and weekly ‘Knit Nights' with a licenced bar (it's the only knitting shop in London to have one) where knitters can come together to knit and socialise. Its website is great looking with photos, details of upcoming news and events and an amusing knitting blog.

Castoff.info.
Established in 2000, Cast Off knitting club arranges fun meetings and workshops in a range of unusual public settings. Its classes provide materials and tuition to beginners and more advance knitters while the website features a chat forum, blog, shop and photo album.

Loop.gb.com.
Loop opened in Islington in 2005 is something of a knitters heaven, offering a wealth of knit homeware, haberdashery and vintage buttons as well as all types of knitting classes plus a free SOS knitting clinic (once a month) in which teacher, Aneeta Patel, will help sort any knitting glitches over tea, coffee and cakes.


BEST BLOGS

YarnMistrys.co.uk.
A charming blog from a passionate knitter. Kai, from south-east England features excellent pictures of all her knitting triumphs as well as details on the yarn, pattern, needles and modifications used when creating them.

Knittyinpink.blogspot.com.
A lovely little blog complete with pictures and details and lots of interesting information for knitters. Check out useful links to the bloggers favourite yarn shops, knitting websites, online knitting magazines and free pattern sites.

Have Ewe Any Wool?.
Points for the pun. This knitting blogger has got a sense of humour and her enthusiasm for the craft is contagious.


DID YOU KNOW...

- That you can knit your own picnic over winter months? Click here to see a finished example.

- That Kate Moss, Cameron Diaz and Julia Roberts are just some of the A-listers that love to knit? Click here to see Sex & the City star, Kristin Davis knitting.


DOWNLOAD PATTERNS FOR FREE

Knitonthenet.com: Tastefully designed website offering free patterns, news and advice. Its design chart even lets you create specialised graph paper so you can make up your own patterns.

Knittingpatterncentral.com: From ponchos to potholders, bookmarks to belts, this free pattern directory has something for even the most nutty of knitters.


BUY THE BOOK

Vintage Knitwear for Modern Knitters by Lise-Lotte Lystrup is a newly pubished book that updates authentic vintage knitting patterns for modern knitters. To read our interview with the author, just click here

By Emily Jenkinson

23rd September 09