As 2007 ends, I can’t help but be thankful for the wonderful ladies in my local knitting group, the Aloha Knitters. It all started on Meetup with 3 women and a monthly meeting. (I think this was back in 2003, but I could be mistaken. My memory is quite shoddy.) Sometimes only one person would show up and that one knitter would spend a lone night knitting on their own. From there the meetings were increased to every other week with a small gathering of 2 or 3 people.
(Kbrow and Blogless Michelle)
Now we meet every week and you’re guaranteed a group of 5 or more knitters. There’s even been a few nights where our group have taken over half the cafe with around 12 knitters!
Having a dozen knitters show up in Hawaii has been unbelievably validating for me. Over the years, I’ve been mocked for my passion for knitting. I mean really, who knits in Hawaii? And who knits with wool in Hawaii? The support and enthusiasm, the aloha, that’s been shared within the group is amazing.
Let’s not forget the laughter either. Here’s Michelle showing absolute outrage at how little yarn Acornbud has left. Acornbud seems to be rather stoic about it. After all, she is an extremely experienced knitter, so she knows these things will happen.
And here’s Vron insisting to Anna that her fun fur scarf really is the height of fashion and cuddly as well!
So thank you my sisters of knitting, my sisters in yarn, for making every Thursday such a special day! :)
December 30th, 2007 at 9:58 am
Isn’t it amazing how much fun knitting groups are? It is very nice that you found this group!
December 30th, 2007 at 10:30 am
Oh how cool to hear about the group and see pictures! I totally agree that Knitting friends are great to have!
December 30th, 2007 at 10:48 am
and thank you opal for your encouragements and sharing! i’m trying to start the year right and will be there this thursday.
December 30th, 2007 at 11:26 am
I totally agree Opal. I’m so happy I found this group. It’s one of my weekly highlights and I love the diversity of the group – ages, local and non-local, interests, yet we are all yarn obsessed. :P
Oh and I still insist that there is no shame in rocking your Old Skool Fuzzy Fun Fur scarves. All you experienced knitters KNOW you have some in your past! Retro Revolution!!!
December 30th, 2007 at 11:35 am
What a great group of knitters you have there!
December 30th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
Sigh. I am so envious! Not a knitter in sight here in the North Georgia mountains.
December 30th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
WOW…looks like a blast! Hey…I got to meet Kbrow this summer, she came to visit her sister, who’s in our local knitting group!! Small world!
December 30th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
I’ve been really missing going to meetings. I’m hoping that this coming semester I’ll be able to attend more often!
December 30th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
Friends are wonderful, but particularly when they are knitting/fiber loving friends.
December 30th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
Community. It can be such a wonderful thing. I know how much I treasure the crafty and supportive friends I’ve made too!
December 30th, 2007 at 4:31 pm
How fun! Love the pics. I am working on getting myself a group to go to.
December 30th, 2007 at 4:42 pm
I’m glad you have such a great group! Good friends are worth more than cashmere! (or even qiviut lol)
December 30th, 2007 at 6:29 pm
I miss the meetings! I feel like I’ve missed a dozen already, even though I think it’s only been three weeks!
I’ll see you all next week!
December 30th, 2007 at 6:50 pm
It has been fibery fun and such an inspiration. Thanks.
December 30th, 2007 at 7:20 pm
Lucky you…looks like a fun group.
December 30th, 2007 at 10:53 pm
This seems to be a lovely knitting group.
Some time ago I read 10 good reasons to knit on Hawaii:
http://mkcarroll.typepad.com/mk_carroll/2006/05/page_197.html
And I remember a wonderful lace project from Maui:
http://www.pagebypage.com/lacesampler.php
It is as much about friendship as it is about knitting…
December 31st, 2007 at 3:15 am
What a fun group you have! I need to find one, too. I learned so much about knitting when I met Patrick and the other knitters at the Chesapeake Fiber Arts Guild when we lived in Maryland. After reading your blog, perhaps I need to start a group if I can’t find one. Thank you for the inspiration.
January 1st, 2008 at 3:39 am
That looks like fun!
January 1st, 2008 at 11:20 am
What a great group! It is good to have that kind of comradery. As Roseann mentioned, we met through a knitting group, and are now back in touch thanks to a sheep and wool festival and blogs!
January 1st, 2008 at 11:37 am
You are so lucky to have the sisterhood! Wish I was there to take part, but soon, soon :)
January 2nd, 2008 at 6:25 am
I know your pain! We in Florida get laughed at for liking wool too! Isn’t life grand with friends? Hope this year bring more to your group!
January 2nd, 2008 at 12:31 pm
hey opal, i should’ve known you’d post these pictures…at least it’s now documented that i’ve actually finished a garment. i agree that our group is great. best wishes for 2008!
January 3rd, 2008 at 5:55 pm
You guys all rock! It’s really great that you all share knitting as an interest :-)