Knitting is trendy again

By [rrothery]

KNITTING, is shrugging off its granny image, and becoming trendy again. Some of the world's most glamorous actresses, including Julia Roberts, Cameron Diaz and Sarah Jessica-Parker have all been spotted clicking their needles between film takes while Geri Halliwell is known to be a huge fan of the pastime.

Creating your own knits is a cheap way to keep up with catwalk trends during the recession and is said to be great for relieving stress. ROSANNA ROTHERY chatted to Emma Cocker, textile artist and organiser of the Sip 'n' Stitch knitting club in Barnstaple, to find out what exactly can be achieved with a length of yarn and a couple of smooth sticks.

JOIN the Make Do and Mend resurgence and start your credit crunch Christmas presents now. After all, Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without an embarrassing hand knitted jumper, would it?

With that in mind, armed with 4mm needles, gangs of novice knitters and sensational stitchers are invited to head to the Boston Tea Party café in Barnstaple, to sip something scrummy and click, click, click the evening away.

The Sip 'n' Stitch Club aims to remove the dowdy image of the humble knitting craft and open it up to a new generation, proving just how fun and versatile it can be.

"Knitting is such a portable hobby that I thought what better way to introduce it to others and build its profile than to take it out of the home and into town for a regular night out," said organiser and textile artist Emma Cocker.

Everyone is welcome to the club, (male, female, young or mature), from the beginner to the experienced knitter with opportunities to learn the basics, receive support, share ideas and most importantly gossip over a brew.

"Initially the idea came about because there were a few of us that would get in a pickle sometimes and need help. We thought this wouldn't happen if we were knitting all together in the same room, ready to give advice, share ideas or unravel a new technique."

Novice knitters, who are still struggling with the basics, are equally welcome.

"I know lots of people who are keen to learn to knit but don't know how to start and need the incentive of a regular event like this," added Emma.

Making a stylish original outfit on the cheap is an obvious perk of this popular pastime. Yet creating a cool cashmere cardigan or a chic coat, is not always that easy. Being part of a club could help to stave off the perils of following a particularly difficult pattern.

"It is hard to be a true individual these days but it's certainly more achievable if you make an item yourself from scratch, putting your own mark on it," said Emma. "The only worry is that you could end up with two neck holes and extra long arms — now that is what I call unique."

Wool seems to be one of the winners of the recession with recent sales up 30%.

"I guess people are not only buying less clothes but they are also staying in more and looking for alternative entertainment," said Emma.

Knitting, though, is not just about making clothes, she stressed.

"Now with artists such as Tracey Emin putting it in the public eye it is a respected art form. Knitting can be used like any other medium to make a statement about current issues, communicate ideas or capture the imagination."

Some may even want to take up the edgier aspects of wool expression.

"Yarnbombing and Knit Graffiti is a craze that has taken America by storm and is now infiltrating the UK," said Emma. "Artists take to the streets to leave their mark in the form of a knitted tag, proving once and for all knitting is not just a hobby for the retired generation."

Oh and if you think knitting is just for the girls — think again.

"One guy, a friend of mine that I recently taught, was a natural and really caught the bug," she added. "He has put us all to shame. If there are any guys out there thinking about it, all I can say is: 'What a better way to meet a lady or impress the one you already have with a hand made gift'."

● For more information about the free knitting club, Sip 'n' Stitch which meets fortnightly on Tuesdays at the Boston Tea Party in Barnstaple from 5.30pm to 7pm, contact either Emma Cocker on 07719545641 or e-mail emma.cocker @hotmail.co.uk. The Boston Tea Party: 01271 329070.