Knitting is alive and well

Sometimes you hear or read that knitting is a dying art, like churning butter. But I am here to tell you that knitting is alive and well and living in Chappaqua (among many other places).
 
Recently, Beth and I were invited to attend the monthly meeting of the Chappaqua knitting guild. We were going to bring some yarn for sale and I was going to give a slide presentation on Fair Isle but other than that, we didn’t know what to expect. What we found was a large, enthusiastic group of friendly women (alas! No men, but with gender stereotypes falling as fast as they are I hope this changes soon) eager to learn and to share their skills and knowledge with us as well as each other. I loved the fact that before things got started they had a “Show and Tell” so that all the members could show off there latest creations and share their latest pattern finds.
 
There was the knitter who wore a beautiful fair isle sweater but that was the least of it. She not only designed it herself but she spun and dyed the wool as well. And she had steeked it! I practically handed over the presentation then and there.
 
There was another knitter who had designed the cabled sweater she was wearing. I have always wanted to do this myself so she gave me added inspiration to try to design my own. She also showed her copy of the hat all the American Olympians wore in the opening ceremonies. The opening ceremonies had only been a few days before so not only had she deciphered the pattern but she had knit it in record time.
 
Then there was the knitter who told me about the knitting tour of the Shetland Islands that she is going to this Fall. Beth’s and my ears perked up immediately as this is something we both have wanted to do (I am the equivalent of the little devil who sits on Beth’s shoulder whispering “Knitting in Ireland! Knitting tour of Scotland! Only $$$!).

So don’t let anyone tell you that knitting is dying. We could assemble an army of women, armed with pointy sticks to argue otherwise.