Craft Forum

We have in our village a community coffee shop run by volunteers called 'The Hub'. After I drop my son off at two's group I usually go and have a coffee in there until I go and collect him. Today I took my knitting (the first time I have knitted in public) and I saw another girl in there knitting and also about three women came up to me to talk about my knitting. One of the volunteers suggested using The Hub as a meeting place for a Knit and Natter club. I mentioned that I had thought about this many times before but I didn't think there would be enough interest in the local area. This lady then said 'well look around you, you are knitting, there is a girl over there knitting and there are three of us here who knit. You should put a poster up on the noticeboard to see if anyone is interested'

It got me thinking that it would be a great idea, but not sure how much is involved in setting up a group. I am starting maternity leave soon so I suppse it would be an ideal time to set it up whilst I am not a slave to shift work. What do you guys think?

Hi Spindrift

My name's Elaine, I'm the editorial assistant on Let's Knit. We have a special pack for those wishing to start a knitting group, called the Lets' Knit Local starter pack. It's free to receive and you also get advice about how to start up your group, location, attracting members etc. The pack also contains free yarn, needles and other useful things. To register your interest just pop over to www.letsknit.co.uk/local

Once you've signed up, we can include details of your club on our Knit Listings page in the magazine too. I'm sure other forum members have useful tips to share with you too.

Good luck

Sorry Spindrift I don't really have any advice as i've never set up a group but I think it sounds like a great idea. As the volunteer said there must be interest locally as you had people commenting, maybe a poster in The Hub is the place to start and see how much interest there really is

Good Luck

i started my own up in midwales at a local assembly hall

advice pick a time which is suitable for people u want to invite, mine is every second tues of the month at 6-8pm. this means there are no other local clubs on that day and time which may contrast. plus since mine is a evening means people who work and go to school/college can come.

take each meetin as it comes

serve tea and coffee and cakes, always a crowd pleaser

have themes or knitting games???

hope u get it started and i wish you all the luck possible. its well woth the start up as u mix with some really interesting people who have different knitting views on similar patterns

Good luck Spindrift in setting up your club
Ours is run at the local craft shop/LYS and they have 2 days at different times so its open to more people. One is run on a Friday morning and the other a Tuesday evening. Most of us try to go to both but of course the evening one is better for those who work etc. We don't do themes as such apart from one lady coming along to show everyone how to do crocheted coral for an exhibition that's taking place in Dublin and next week we are having group from Macroom come over for a big knit and natter session. It does sound like you have the starts of what could be a great club there with so many people interested before you've even begun so I think you will have no problem attracting more people