Chiswick Knitting Group Outgrows its Regular Venue

Popularity of monthly social event has surged over last two years

The knitting group meets at a cafe on Windmill Road

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March 29, 2025

A knitting club based in Chiswick has grown in popularity so much that it may be forced to look for a new venue.

The monthly Knit and Crochet Social event takes place in the café of the Room2 Aparthotel on Windmill Road. It was featured on this site when it started in March 2023 at which time about 8-10 people were turning up.

Now it is reaching its maximum capacity for every session and the organiser is looking to add extra dates or find a location that can accommodate its growing numbers. In the meantime, more staff have been taken on to help run the event.

Part of the reason for its popularity is its broad appeal which has seen attendees with ages ranging from 12 to 92.

The club was started by Carol Wheeler, a Chiswick resident of 12 years, who is also of the owner of the Knit With Me yarn shop in Richmond. The socials, which are attended by both beginners and more experience knitters, allow the crafters to show each other their current projects and inspire others who want to get involved.

Carol graduated with a Physics degree from St. Andrew’s University and then went on to work for the Intellectual Property Office in South Wales for 24 years before changing everything and following her passion for fibre crafts and opening her own yarn shop.

She started teaching knitting and crochet in London yarn stores and local coffee shops in Chiswick and Richmond around four years ago and loved it so much that she thought she would like to take it one step further.

As Carol explains, "My mum taught me to knit and crochet when I was 6. I didn't really get on with it back then, but I rediscovered it again later in life and became obsessed. I have a hectic head, always judging myself about something and with everything that is happening right now in the world I can suffer from anxiety. Meditation is the only way to reduce that inner dialogue's volume and knitting has become my meditation and so many of our community feel exactly the same way. Giving ourselves something to concentrate on that uses all of our senses means our minds don’t have the space to be busy and negative. Knitting and crochet involves hand-eye coordination, counting, colour, touch and creativity. It's an incredible way to give yourself a break from everything happening in the world right now, constructively and creatively. Our local community of knitters and crocheters is very welcoming and diverse, and we have a great sense of humour. Our socials are a space where we can all get together, share our love of what we do, and admire each other's work. Just those two hours each month can reset us all for the next month ahead. We think it should be something doctors prescribe!".

Check out the latest Knit & Natter social at @knitwithmeuk on Instagram

You can book a spot for the Knit & Natter social in Chiswick at the Knit with Me website under the "Workshops & Events" tab. “

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