Knit Wits Are Very Popular In Chiswick

Ellen Houghton explains why she is a woman obsessed with wool

"I am a woman obsessed," says Ellen Houghton.

"At my Christmas wreath making class I am using a ball of wool and a pair of knitting needles as my focal point, my Christmas tree is covered in knitted ornaments, even the baubles have knitted jackets, and my sofa is getting knitted snowflake cushions from the winter Debbie Bliss magazine. I even sent out knitted Christmas cards this year, there is one in the local yarn store Creations on Turnham Green Terrace."

So where did this obsession come from?

"I was taught to knit as a child by my mother and grandmother, who between them clothed all the little girls in my family. Once taught the skill, I made my first jumper, big enough to house the entire family, and that was it - I was hooked! I’ve always had a project on the go; jumpers, hats, baby blankets.

"I once organised my entire team at work to each knit a small square that we collected and sewed together to make a cot blanket as a maternity gift for a colleague. But in the last few years 1 project at a time just wasn’t enough. These days I usually have 3-4 projects on the go at once; a challenging knit like fairisle cushion covers, a charity knit like the local Tommy Hollis ducks and a simple knit like a hat or scarf that I can pop in my bag and knit in the pub. And that’s where I got my idea for a local Chiswick knitting group."

Chisknits has been running for a few months meeting at The Crown and Anchor on a Thursday evening.

"You’ll find us nestling on one of the sofa’s in the pub knitting away, chatting and drinking mulled wine over the Christmas period. The great thing about knitting together is the conversation and the motivation that we get from each other. It is so inspiring to see other knitted projects, using different wools, different needles, knitting for various charities, knitting gifts or Christmas tree ornaments. The group is a great place for sharing knowledge and passing the skill of knitting on to others.

"In the time the group has been running we have reinvigorated the passion for knitting in several lapsed knitters and helped them select a new project to work on and taught novice knitters the basics to get them started. Left and right handed novice knitters have learnt how to knit their first stitch in 1 evening and found a simple project to tackle."

The group is entirely free and there is no commitment to attend every week. For those who can’t make the group or need a knitted fix in the middle of meets, there is the Facebook page with pictures of ongoing projects and finished items, and everyone can give and receive advice on mistakes and complications.

Chisknits are also listed on the million user knitters & crocheters haven ravelry.com where there is a forum for general chat and the ability to share updates and progress on our projects.

CHISKNITS runs every Thursday 8-10pm at The Crown & Anchor Pub, 374 Chiswick High Road
We are listed on facebook & ravelry.com under ‘Chisknits’.
http://www.ravelry.com/groups/chisknits
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chisknits/128626227186637?ref=sgm

CHISKNITS CHRISTMAS DATES: Last week before Christmas 16th December, First week after Christmas 6/Jan (No groups on 23/30 December)

The Crown and Anchor, 374 Chiswick High Road have a lovely sofa for the weekly group - www.crownandanchorchiswick.com

For further information about CHISKNITS contact Ellen Houghton, annwyl21@yahoo.com or phone 07930348213

December 13, 2010