Thinking about starting a Knitting circle

Rorshach · 10-28-2006, 02:09 AM

I'm thinking about starting one up, but unfortunately am not entirely sure how to go about it. I know there are several people in my area who would possibly join. but I've never actually started a group like this, or really any group for that matter. Any ideas on how to go about doing so?

Tamar Dohel · 10-28-2006, 09:37 AM

Excellent idea!

I thought of doing the same thing myself here in my moshav (village) in Israel. I thought of putting a notice up by the bus stop. However, I keep putting it off because the only real time that I have for knitting is either when my daughter sleeps or in the moring when she's at play group. But then I should be looking for a job not knitting!

You could put a little ad in the local papper or put a sign up at your local yarn store.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Tamar

KellyK · 10-28-2006, 02:56 PM

OR, use the new Knitters Knear You forum to attract other Idaho knitterz!! You could re-name THIS thread and move it to the new forum... I could help if you'd like!

zazzu · 10-29-2006, 12:21 AM

Quote:

I know there are several people in my area who would possibly join. ...Any ideas on how to go about doing so?

Good for you for taking the reins on this one

In my area, a crochet/knitting group got started when one woman went to the community center and asked if she could rent a room once a week. Then she posted flyers in the lobby (the cc website also advertised for the group) and charged $1.00 per person per session (three hours) to attend (which easily covered the room rental fee).

A quilting group I attend gets a free room at the local library all day twice a month. The only stipulation is that they can't refuse anyone who wants to join (as if). I've really enjoyed this group.

If you start it....they will come :D

Ingrid · 10-29-2006, 12:27 AM

I was going to recommend the local library, too. They often will let groups meet.

Rorshach · 10-29-2006, 01:47 AM

Thanks, that was the only part that I hadn't worked out yet, Will check into a community center or my local library to check those options out. And Kelly, I appreciate the offer, but until I have something hammered out on this, I'd prefer to wait.

Sara · 10-29-2006, 04:30 AM

Look at that happy smile on Mr. Will! :D

Cristy · 10-29-2006, 01:50 PM

I started a group in my area about a year ago and it's still going strong. here's what I did:

First I started a yahoo group so that the people who join to post questions, etc. to each other and so that I could manage the meembers by sending out notices for when we had scheduled meetings. Next I made up a few flyers and hung them up at a coffee shop and since I work for a school system--I put them in the teacher's lounge of some of the schools. Next I kept some flyers on me and (this was the hard part for me b/c this is totally out of character for me...) when I saw people looking at yarn in Michaels, etc., I have them a flyer w/ all of the info on it--my number and the yahoo group. I first wanted to hold it at a nearby coffee shop but found out it closed really early in the evening and it wouldn't allow enough time for most folks who work so we found a coffee shop that was just opening in a town nearby that's not too far away. I called the owner and she said we were welcome anytime--I scheduled my first meeting a few weeks out and posted it on the yahoo group. I also posted a message asking for suggestions. It started with just two or three people (one of which was my mom, a crocheter) but people would see us in public and stop and ask how to join. Shortly there after people started telling friends and they started to come. Now I have about 35 registered members on the yahoo group and about 12-15 of them participate regularly in person. Recently, the group has selected another coffee shop location that has just opened b/c it stays open later. There is another group in our area that meets at the local barnes and noble too so bookstores are also a good idea. currently, my group meets every Monday evening from 6pm until ? (10 is when the Caribou Coffee closes) and we meet every other Tuesday evening at the starbucks cafe inside of barnes and noble. We have one meeting once a month at a kid-friendly location so that people w/ young children can still come and participate. usually we meet at a park or a local "play gym". When I go on maternity leave--we are talking about starting up a daytime group for those who don't work. My group runs well now and I don't have to always attend. For the first 6 months or so I had to be committed to attending every session and making sure I kept conversation flowing, etc. I'd often bring knitting books and magazines for people to look at and talk about and I'd offer to teach newbies how to knit. Now I miss a session each month b/c I'm room mom for my daughter's class and we have meetings and if I'm tired, I don't feel bad if I don't stay the whole time. The group still runs smoothly--even when I don't attend!

Good luck--check out the section in Debbie Stoller's first SNB book--it has a section on how to locate/begin your own SNB.

Tamar Dohel · 10-29-2006, 03:17 PM

Thanks Cristy!

I don't know about you, Rorshach, but Cristy certainly pointed out a few good ideas. I take back what I wrote earlier. I think I will try and get a few girls together one evening a week - I could handle that.

Well, best go get started on that.

I'll keep you all informed.

Tamar

Rorshach · 10-29-2006, 08:32 PM

Yes, definitely, she pointed out a few good things, and I will most likely look into this as well, though as far as the flyers go, I just went out to www.meetup.com and that'll do most of the work for me.