In the past, the word "knitting" commonly conjured up visions of Grandmother's face squinting in concentration as she worked steadily on her task of repetitious loops and pulls. Well, ladies, knitting's face has changed. People all over are picking up their needles and their yarn for so many reasons.
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At Stitches 'N Stuff in Longview, sisters Sue Childress and Frances Hughes offer a wide variety of colors and styles of yarns, from eco-friendly threads to cashmere pieces, and everything in between.
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Betty Lorenz is thrilled that her granddaughter, Olivia Lorenz, has taken to knitting.
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Brenda Westal instructs one of her students, Mykia Burns, in her home economics class at Pittsburg High School.
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Some enjoy the camaraderie of fellow needle-clickers or the bonding experience that comes with teaching a loved one.
Others take comfort in the slow, meditative process that knitting can be.
Another reason gals are picking up their needles, especially the younger crowd, is due to all of the fuzzy, funky, glittery and chunky yarns that have replaced generic yarns preferred by earlier generations. Trendy scarves found in fashion magazines and wrapped around hot celebrities have made younger gals giddy with hopes to design their own replicas.
A close-knit family
Longview resident Betty Lorenz has had a passion for knitting since she learned the art from her mother. She continued the hobby off and on through the years, and has recently joined a knitting group at her church.
"I love my church's knitting group. It's so nice for us to get together and share experiences and passions with like-minded women," Betty said. "We encourage one another. It's a fun environment, and it provides a place where we can go to find community and a common bond."
Betty's most excited about her 8-year-old granddaughter, Olivia, who has not only picked up knitting needles, but has really taken to the hobby.
"I was amazed that Olivia wanted to start knitting at such a young age, but of course I've been more than happy to help her," Betty said.
Olivia became drawn to the hobby in second grade when she saw a purse that her friend knitted. Olivia just knew she could make one of her own. Now a third grader at Hudson Pep, when she's not busy with basketball practice or piano lessons, Olivia spends time with her grandmother knitting.
"Her first project was a washcloth. Since then, she's made a purse and a scarf," Betty said. "We really enjoy our time together. Especially during the summers — no school, no childcare. We just sit together and knit."
The latest trend
The younger Gen Xers and Gen Yers have taken to knitting in full force. In Brenda Westal's Pittsburg High School homemaking classroom, students have discovered that with all the new, funky yarns, a high-quality scarf or a trendy toboggan is just stitches away.
"It's very common for the girls to flip through magazines to see which celebrities are wearing what and then copy those designs, from scarves to wraps to ponchos to purses," Brenda said. "They may see something to replicate, and then change it a little to give it more of a personal touch."
While the fashion component has definitely made knitting a more accessible hobby for young people, Brenda believes students and young adults today are starved for creativity and design, and with all the new, hip yarns out today, they know it's not just their grandmother's pastime anymore.
"There are unusually textured and colored yarns out there. Some students like chunky yarns, some like the more delicate look, some like fuzzy, some like glittery," Brenda said. "The beauty of it is that it's not only a creative outlet, but it also allows for anyone to get the exact styles and textures they want."
Despite the machine age eliminating the need for hand-stitched items, the popularity of knitting still continues among the young and young at heart. If you are interested in this needle art, there are many resources available with step-by-step knitting instructions to help you start simple. Countless books are out there, as well as online tutorials. Stop by Longview's Stitches N Stuff, pick up needles and some funky yarn, and join in the fun.
Happy knitting!
