“Knitting is the new rock and roll, baby!

Knitting has never been so cool. According to the Craft Yarn Council of America, the number of knitters under the age of 35 increased by over 400 per cent between 1998 and 2000.

The knitting circle concept was fundamentally redrawn when Debbie Stoller ran an announcement in Bust looking for knitters who wanted to get together, knit, and just hang out.

The internet has been vitally important in spreading and sustaining the knitting (and crafting in general) revolution. You can find or keep up-to-date, and discover countless knitting patterns and techniques. Web sites and message boards bring together communities of knitters and crafters the world over.

Knitting also gives you the power to choose what materials you are using and where they come from. You can buy organic cotton. You can buy wool sheared and spun on a family farm. You can recycle old knit garments and saris. You probably won’t knit your entire wardrobe for the rest of your life. You may only ever finish one or two scarves. But through knitting, you have the power of choice, and when you have choice, you can make positive decisions, no matter how small they seem.

“When we knit with this attention, we have an almost indescribable feeling of satisfaction and contentment,” says Manning in her book Mindful Knitting. Given that the most commonly reported reason for knitting is stress reduction, it should come as no surprise that there are spiritual fringe benefits to picking up a pair of needles.

Knit on!
Whether you knit because it’s relaxing, to make a social statement, or because you want to make stuff, knitting puts power in your hands.

Why knit dishcloths?

Now it is tough to limit the reasons to 10...but here it goes

10) because I love making them!

9) Doiley, washcloth, dishrags, afghan square, swatch it's all the same thing- FUN KNITTING!

8) ....because there are tons of internet groups dedicated to making these beauties!

7) You can make enough cloths to create pillows, afghans , gifts etc!

6) It's a great way to use excess scrap yarns into a work of beauty!

5) We deserve to have items of beauty to use, Thank you Martha Stewart!

4) Once you have a hand knitted cloth you won't think of anything else to clean those pots and pans!

3) Cloths are great fun, fast and portable knitting! Easily work on them anywhere!

2) 'Cause we can?! They are very inexpensive creative arts!

Needles Clicking Ladies and Gentleman The number one reason out of 10 featured ( number is actually a zillion reasons why) is:


1) They are a great way to learn a new stitch or technique and make it a functional - useable swatch before going to a larger project

If you would like to knit gorgeous cloths, you must see this website. Click here and see for yourself! Hmmm, which one with scrub my dirty little dishes first?

"Our Knitting Circle"

Last night was a great turnout for our knitters. A beautiful sweater for a four-year old daughter is coming along nicely. I saw two gorgeous baby blankets, one yellow and one white, being knitted with love. Oh my, you should see the awesome cable and bobble afghan being knitted in a luxurious brown yarn! What a pleasant surprise to see the "Washrag" taking shape! Those dirty little dishes will be smiling soon! The feather and fan pink shawl is looking fantastic, oh the yarn is so soft and huggable. Two young ladies learned to knit, leaving with about 5 or 6 inches of their headband on their needles! Oh, I can't forget about the cute little baby booties! How sweet!

Last night was a great "Knitting Circle". It is wonderful to share our love of knitting and make friendships along the way!

Chicks With Sticks Rule!

It's Official! "We" are a knitting circle!

Last night was our first meeting and it was so awesome to see so many people with "like" minds coming together. I saw a beautiful scarf being created, a baby blanket knitted with loving hands, an adorable pink toddler sweater for a sweet four year old daughter. Our new knitters were learning how to cast-on and knit. It wasn't long before all were talking and smiling and helping each other. As a community, we were coming together for fun, friendship and learning an Art that will not be forgotten. It was exciting to see all eighteen hands crafting and enjoying our first knitting circle. "We" are the Chicks With Sticks Knitting Circle!

Everything Old Is New Again!

See what CBS News says about the health benefits of knitting! Click here  to watch the CBS video. Now, we can all unite and knit guilt-free!

The Knitter's Hand Workout!

Here are some simple exercises for those hands that craft.  I've used them both before and during knitting and I can tell you, they really do work.  Check them out for yourself here and see if they make a difference to you!

Top Ten Reasons To Love Knitting

 It's so easy.  Knitting is a combination of two stitches, knit and purl.

2.  It's addictively creative.  We are inspired by the thrill of making  something from scratch.

3.  It's can actually exercise and tone your arms, shoulders and back!

4.  It can make gift-giving a job.   Our lovingly hands make a special gift for someone we love!

5.  Friendships that are born out of knitting run deep. Knitters Unite!

6.  It can beat the economic crunch!  It's a relatively inexpensive way to get a high-quality wardrobe.

7.  It keeps you sharp!  Concentration, coordination and attention to detail makes a brain healthy.

8.  Minor knitting achievements are genius!

9.  It feeds out imagination.  There's always something new to try!

10. It helps calm us down!  The greatest rewards are patience and relaxation!

Make Your Own Needles!

Making your own knitting needles can be fun and rewarding. Here are a few pictures of my handcrafted needles. It's easy, inexpensive and fun! Follow this link and you'll be knitting with your own beautiful handcrafted needles in no time!