So you're going to a knitting group meeting. Don't know what to expect?
- Do you feel intimated by experienced knitters?
- Are you shy around people you don't know?

You can bring something you know about like your knitting gadgets, books, and finished knitting projects. For instance, aren't you

- Curious to know how knitters used a knitting gadget you have?
- What they think of the knitting magazine you just read?
- Are they thinking of buying a knitting book you already have?


Bringing these 6 things to a knitting group meeting can help you start a conversation on knitting, and make you feel more comfortable. You can choose to bring only 1 thing or all 6. They're instant conversation starters. I bring all 6 in a backpack.

1) Knitting Gadgets

Have you seen an interesting knitting gadget at the Jo-Ann or Michael's store? The ones that cost under $20. Don't you wish they had a "tester" to try before you bought it? Do you read online reviews but want to try it for yourself? Here's your chance to help other knitters "test" a knitting gadget. They will appreciate it. Bring a knitting gadget to the meeting and tell them that they can try it out, and what you thought of it. Was it worth your money? Too slow? Broke after a few minutes?

For example, I bought the Knit-Wit Loom at the Jo-Ann store in Porter Ranch for $8. I bought it because the flowers looked like a quick way to knit square flowers and make a diamond-shaped scarf. It took me a an hour to understand how to make the border. Imagine all the time I would have saved if a knitter showed me how she made flowers with the knit wit loom. When I went to a West Hills, CA SnB meeting, I brought the knit wit loom and 2 scarves I made with it.

2) Knitting Books

Have a knitting book? It could be either a pattern book, a technique book like mosaic knitting, or a knitting novel, like "Chicks with Sticks." Feel free to bring the book to the meeting. Lay it on the table and tell the knitters they're welcome to browse it. You'll see knitters putting their projects down to rest their hands and looking at your book. Some might browse it right before leaving.

How can your knitting book start a conversation with knitters? Easy. You'll get questions like, where did you buy it, did you like it, knit anything from it, and is it worth buying. Please answer their questions.

For instance, bought your knitting books from Amazon? How much was it? You can also see if they already have books that are on your Amazon wishlist!

Do you get your knitting books from Zooba instead? Some knitters might not know about their program. It's $9.95 for any book each month with free shipping, including knitting books. If you're on Zooba, are you happy with their service? Do they have a wide knitting book selection? How convenient is it? Would you recommend them to sign up?

3) Knitting Magazines

One thing is feeling self-conscious browsing a knitting magazine at the store. Why not let others see the magazine. Did you knit a pattern in the magazine? What do you think of the pictures?

4) Finished Unique Knitting Projects

Knitters are always looking for some fresh ideas. Do you have a unique knitting project? Your own design? Bring it to the meeting. If you don't know many knitting friends, now is your time to let other knitters appreciate the time you spent on a project. When you finished your project, was it what you expected?

5) Knitting Accessories You Made

Do you carry handmade knitting accessories in your knitting bag? Kindly show them to the knitters at the meeting. In case they want to try to make it themselves, let them know how you made them.

For example, did you make your own stitchmarkers? Your own needlecase? Found a creative way to make the flat end of the needle look nice? Have you made a handy notebook with all the patterns you know?

6) Your current knitting project and open mind

Bring what you're working on to the meeting. Don't just sit there and knit it, you can do that at home. Be open to suggestions from other knitters regarding your current project.

For instance, are you knitting a project with 2 or more colors? Let them know what color technique you're using and what it's supposed to look like when it's done. Do you plan to knit the colors using slipped stitches, fair isle, double knitting, or duplicate stitch? Are they letters, stripes, or monograms to personalize your knitting? Some might tell you they only tried a duplicate stitch or recommend you books or knitters who have knit with color using slipped stitches.

For example, I went to a West Hills, CA SnB meeting and started to knit a blue soccer scarf with the white letters of the team, c-h-e-l-s-e-a. I used slipped stitches to make the white letters but after making the letter "A" the scarf curled up. I also didn't like how the slipped stitches in the back of the letter made the scarf feel bulky. A knitter from the group suggested to make the white letters with double knitting and I'd finish quicker. I proceeded to knit the blue scarf and only til the end I'll add the white letters.

Don't forget to kindly ask other knitters what they're working on. See if you or someone you know knitted something similar and tell them about it.

There's no need to feel intimidated at a knitting group meeting. Bringing one of these 6 things to the meeting can help you start a conversation on knitting with knitters.

About the Author

Monica Silva motivates other young knitters in their 20s, like her, to knit thin skinny scarves with simple knitting patterns, such as diagonal stripes, vertical stripes, and a vertical drop stitch. Silva enjoys turning skinny scarves into belts and also wearing them like a headband. Visit her blog at http://1knitscarf.com to get knit scarf ideas and patterns.