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This one's for my knittaz...!
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Gov. Sarah Palin may have only disdain for community organizers (Hmm, and how’d that work out for you again? Oh, riiight! Buckle in and enjoy the dog-sled ride of shame back to Alaska, you betcha!), but there’s absolutely nothing small-time about what self-described “community coordinator” Anne-Marie Kavulla has done with “Sit ‘n’ Knit.” Kavulla, 33, a pretty brunette in the tradition of Clara Bow, started “Sit ‘n’ Knit” four years ago, and has since seen the organization’s roster grow to more than a thousand members. Today, though not a guild, “Sit ‘n’ Knit” offers an “even playing field” for all those interested in getting out of the house, working on their technique and making some new friends.
“Sit ‘n’ Knit” members meet a couple of times each month and besides the daily bread of knitting, they also attend lectures, as well as partnering with various charities—for example, “Project Sunshine”-- to knit useful items for those in need. Kavulla appreciates and understands her important role in bringing people together; she’s seen numerous people within the group make lasting friendships outside of knitting. But Kavulla, like all the members I spoke with, is first and foremost a passionate knitter. She’s been knitting for 22 years, having started as an 8 year-old in Michigan, learning from her grandmother. Today, she says, knitting really “takes the edge off.”
I’m fairly sure that the last time I used a verb that could be even loosely compared to knitting was in Mrs. Wells’ second-grade class when I made Mrs. Zimmerman a potholder, but despite my documented aversion to domestic graces, I enjoyed hanging out with “Sit ‘n’ Knit,” during a first-timers knitting circle. It was a low-key and welcoming opportunity for new knitters to come out and get acquainted.
While the skill sets on display were obviously varied, there was no competition; people encouraged each other. The women are smart, sassy and fun. Those interested should not feel they have to any skills besides the basics. That’s it. For example, that sweater you were planning to knit for your cat Mr. Felonious Monk to wear when you carried him to our nation’s capital in a snuggly to be a Witness to Democracy, the one with the American eagle and Michelle, Barak, Malia and Sasha represented in Bedazzled rhinestones: come on down!
I heard about “Sit ‘n’ Knit” through another member, Lindsay Velazco. Lindsay, 28, is a teacher in NYC, and her nom de knitting is “knittanyc.” She once made 12 different fake beard ensembles for her grandparents, cousins and boyfriend to wear in a Fourth of July Parade. One of the beards was christened the “Dog The Bounty Hunter"...similiar to the real Dog but better groomed.Lindsay first got interested in all of this from watching her abuela create lovingly-detailed crocheted tablecloths. After Lindsay taught her 5 year-old niece to knit, the child told her teacher that knitting made her unique because she could “knit all by myself.” Lindsay knit her a new sweater for that.
So, okay, I admit it: despite how cool these women are, despite how much fun they had, knitting and gossiping up a storm, I personally will stick with the classic pot holder weaving loom kit (only $14.99 @ bitsandpieces.com), but you. You’re seriously brooding about liberating my sweater idea for your French Bulldog, Charles De Gaulle, yes? Carpe Diem, my friend: I shall give it to you. I got 99 problems/but a stitch ain’t one!
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