Last night was our late-night shopping hours evening. We’re open later the first Thursday of each month. Some Thursday nights are crazy busy, and other nights are calm and laid back. Last night, we had a great group of knitters pop over from Illinois to hang out, shop, and knit. In that group there were experienced knitters and brand new knitters, which is always fun. Some of them were just learning to knit socks and were being encouraged and instructed by the more experienced knitters in their group.
But the unique thing about this group? Some of them were the very first in-person shoppers to visit The Loopy Ewe. Here’s a photo of their first trip, back when Loopy was just a teeny tiny corner of shelves in my basement. They could stand in the middle of it and reach any shelf and any skein of yarn. (I’m not exaggerating.) The thing is, I think they had just as much fun on that first visit as they did on this visit (and all of their visits in between). It doesn’t matter how many shelves of yarn you have – just getting knitting friends and yarn together pretty much guarantees that fun will follow.
I made up a couple of extra Spring Fling Goodie Bags, just so I could share them with you in a blog contest! This year’s bag was a clear vinyl tote with shoulder straps, that came with a yellow-checked Loopy Ewe Mug, a sample of hand lotion, a Loopy sticky note set, and a skein of Wollmeise in a variety of colorways. Would you like to win one? Just leave us a comment below and answer this question: How many years have you been knitting? We’ll draw for the Goodie Bag winners next week.
Sheri hopingyourweekendbringsyourelaxationandsometimetoknit!
I think it’s been about 3 1/2 years now. It’s crazy to think about trying to teach myself to knit in the car with the Stitch ‘n Bitch book one Thanksgiving – lots of holes in my little practice squares! Something must have stuck though on that trip!
I’ve been knitting for about 5 years – felted purses to scarves to shawlettes. May try a vest next.
I’ve been knitting since I was around 10 years old, so that would make it over 33 years. Lots of scarves, socks, legwarmers and one sweater so far and looking forward to knitting my first cardigan.
Almost 7 1/2 years now! My mom re-taught me for a Christmas present right around the same time as I found out I was expecting baby #2; my first project was a baby blanket for him! I had tried to learn as a child but unfortunately it didn’t “take” then… as an adult, though, I was addicted almost immediately 🙂
I’ve been knitting eleven years now. Love it.
I learned how to knit about 50 years ago, but have really gotten back into knitting in the last 2 years.
I’ve been knitting since 1989, which means more than 20 years EEP!!!
Hmm, I guess about five years now. It seems like longer, somehow. I don’t remember what I did with my hands before I started knitting!
I have only been knitting for a year and a half. I sort of taught myself to knit a few years ago, but I didn’t really finish anything and I only started growing my yarn stash a year and a half ago when I took a beginner’s knitting class. 🙂
Knitting or really knitting? My mom taught me (and taught me and taught me) several times when I was growing up. But three years ago I took a learn to knit class and it’s stuck. So when people ask, I just say three years. 🙂
I’ve been knitting since the end of 2006, so about 4 1/2 years? I love that even though i’m a relative newbie, I’m welcomed into knitting communities, knitters rock 🙂
I’ve been knitting sporadically for 20 years and steadily for four years.
I’ve been knitting about 6 years and really, really enjoy it!!! My first project was a pair of socks and it’s all been “downhill” from there LOL!!! Thanks for the contest Sheri :D:D:D
I knitted my first scarf in 2005 when I was away from home in graduate school. I mainly knitted scarves for four years until 2009 when I decided I was sick of scarves and wanted to knit a sweater. In 2009 I knitted my first sweater and my first sock. After that first pair of socks, I was hooked on sock knitting! Still love knitting socks, but have also started knitting lace shawls this year, which is now my new favorite thing to knit. So, the answer to your question, I have been knitting for six years! :o)
I have been knitting off and on for over 30 years.
55 years!
Guess I have to fess up: I’ve been knitting 55 years. We “learned” to do garter stitch squares in Girl Scouts, but I still needed help. My Great-grandmother (born 1868) told me she learned to knit socks “for the war”. Friends, she meant the Spanish American War! Anyway, she made a better teacher than my girl scout leader, so I count her as my beginning.
I have been knitting for 6 awesome years! I tried beading, scrapbooking, and just about every other craft out there and once I learned how to knit, I was addicted! I had just found out I was pregnant with my third son and wanted to knit him a blanket so it all began with a basket weave “Pound of love” LB bright yellow baby blanket! 🙂
It’s been 6 years since I learned how to knit, & my life has neer been the same!
Where’d all this yarn come from??????????????????
About 10 years – taught by my mom and my grandma.
Maybe around 45 years. I was young!!!!
How long have I been knitting, well the kids will say I taught Cleopatra to knit. But it has only been 49 yearns.
I learned to knit almost 6 years ago (this August will be 6 years). Learning how to make the knit and purl stitches was one of the happiest experiences of my life. It has changed my life forever. I have an anxiety disorder, and I can’t begin to explain how much therapy and calmness knitting has provided for me. It has helped me get through some of the roughest periods I have ever experienced, and be calm and composed. Knitting is a blessing to me. That sums it up. Six years. Wow.
I’ve been knitting about 33 years (that’s scary!)
I must have been knitting before I was even conceived, since I’m really only 29…
oh my goodness: it’s been 53 years since my Aunt Willie first taught me to cast on!
I have been knitting for 40 years.
I have been knitting for 48 years.
OY, so many comments!! I have been knitting continuously for 22 years. Was first taught to knit 47 years ago. OMG, am I that old?? I was 12 then.
I taught myself to knit 3 years ago in February, when my son was born and would scream for 22 hrs a day. I am not exaggerating, he would scream for 22 hrs a day. Knitting became my way to hold him and put my brain in a better place. After 10 months I found a doctor who was able to tell me what was wrong and fix it. He is still my little grumpy boy, but leaps and bounds better. And, he can hear and speak, something a couple of the doctors told me he wouldn’t ever accomplish.
About three years.
My mum tried to teach me many years ago (she died in ’79) but I wasn’t interested then. Three years ago as I started to get ill, I was recently diagnosed with MS among other things, I gave up making mosaics and turned to needles and yarn; and I have never looked back!
I love how soothing it is, how relaxing and how fulfilling it is to finish something pretty and soft. I love lace and learning new patterns, and yarn? OMG! I LOVE YARN!!
Wendy
I took a class about six years ago. I always wanted to try but I didn’t have anyone to teach me.
A cousin of my Dad’s taught me the basic stitches about 35 years ago, but I never kept at it. About 4 years ago I was going through a tough patch in life, and a friend suggested I pick up the needles. It was so calming that I quickly grew to love it, and now am totally hooked on it.
I learned 29 years ago but I have been knitting on a regular basis now for about 5 years!!
Been knitting over 40 years – learned when I was in my teens. LOVE IT!
Just 4 or 5 years…I can’t remember for sure. But I’m a lifer now. I can’t believe how much a part of my life knitting has become! (to say nothing of my budget…shh…)
I restarted knitting about 3 years ago after about 40 years. Now I am addicted to it and wonder why I haven’t done it for so long. Just think of all the pretty things I could have made!
Since 2003 — so 7.5 years now, though with a year or so hiatus in there.
I have been knitting for 12 years. My grandmother taught my sisters and myself how to knit and crochet. I took to the crochet and struggled with the knitting. A good friend of mine showed me how to knit continental. I’ve been hooked (no pun intended) every since.
I have been knitting about 32 years. The neighbor lady taught our 4H group when I was about 12. She then taught the girls in my little sister’s group. Her own daughters were still little at the time. What a debt I owe her! Mom still doesn’t knit and probably never will. She can sew fabulously, and I remember candle making and decoupoge (sp?) growing up, but no needlework:)
I’ve been knitting longer than I can remember. It’s got to be close to 50 years.
My mum taught me to knit, I remember a stripy vest I knitted the tension was so tight it was stiff and rock hard. I have knitted on and off since then so about 40 years would be the number. Since finishing 6 years of a City and Guilds course I have been knitting madly and love my time sitting and knitting.
I’ve been knitting for 36 years.
If I added them all up about 10 years. Off & on over the first years. But the last 5 years it just realy took hold & I knit either a little or a lot (mostly a lot) every day. I just love it. A DAY WITHOUT KNITTING IS A DAY WITHOUT SUNSHINE. Plus it is said to be quit good for you & lowers blood presure. Enough said.
hi! been knitting steadily for 16 years – but have known how to do it for 40!!
I learned to knit 44 years ago and have done it off and on since then, but quite regularly for the last 10. My mother taught me to knit and sew on the machine at a very young age. I started off knitting scarves for my Barbie doll.
I have been knitting continuously for 55 years. I started when I was 8 and never looked back. It helped with the stress of high school and college and the boredom of early motherhood. It kept my kids in sweaters, hats and mittens (still does for that matter). Then when I went back to work, it helped to keep me sane and nicer than I would have been otherwise given some of the people I had to deal with. Now that I am retired, it helps to keep my arthritic fingers moving.
I knit off and on as a kid and in college, but I have been a “serious” knitter (ha!) for 10 years.
I’ve been knitting for a solid 46 years. My mom taught me when I was 6 and I’ve been knitting ever since. Nothing scares me. I’ll knit anything. I have many loves, many of which my mom inspired, but knitting is my passion.
7 years — I started trying to knit in 2000, but it didn’t really take until 2004.
I’ve been knitting for 40 years. That doesn’t mean I’m old… Nope, nope! I learned really young! 😀