Every Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m., a very unlikely scene for this day and age takes place in the MU Women’s Center. Stitch ‘N Bitch provides exactly what is implied from the title: tools to knit or crochet and an area for discussion of just about any topic.
These might seem like hobbies for an older demographic, but the collective national goal of Stitch ‘N Bitch is to put value back into what is traditionally perceived as “a woman’s craft,” Department of Student Life Support Staff Struby Struble said. The laid-back, informal atmosphere creates a comfortable setting to sit down with the ol’ needles and get going on a project.
Yet, knitting or crocheting skills are completely unnecessary in order to attend Stitch ‘N Bitch sessions. As I approached the foreign yarn and needles, the overwhelming sensation of grief washed over as I realized I had never held these tools before. But the stress left my mind soon after it had arrived because of the extremely patient and kind Women’s Center volunteers circling the workspace.
Sophomore Kaitlyn Ingersoll, who learned how to knit from her mother, sat down with fellow newcomer freshman Christina Bigham and I, and went through the steps in extremely slow motion. Through her coaxing, I had somehow formed a vibrant, red loop-de-loop pattern of yarn that made me semi-proud.
“You’re going to get this,” Ingersoll said. “And it’s going to be awesome.”
Before I knew it, I had some understanding of this craft, and had made a new acquaintance as she cautiously knitted beside me discussing our majors and hometowns.
The casual dialogue floating about the room ranged from friendly stranger to lifetime friendship status. In such a hodgepodge of discussion, almost anyone can discover a comfortable conversational space.
“It’s easy to meet people because you have something to do with your hands,” Struble said.
Craftiness might be the central theme, but students venture to meetings for a variety of reasons. Freshman Chris Dopuch comes to sew patches onto his “heavy metal vest” with pal Margaux Walsh.
“I came here to sew because it’s not really cool to make a sewing circle with a bunch of dudes,” Dopuch said.
The number of participants exceeded my expectations, and there seemed to be almost as many males as females finding their way into the knitting area. Candy and coffee provide comfort for attendants along with large and comfortable couches.
My experience was quite awkward at first; to not know a soul at an event with an unknown craft isn’t exactly within my comfort zone. Yet, the ease into the steady pace and repetition of knitting became relaxing and the flow of conversation followed suit.
