“Is this the knitting club?” asks Carly Barrett, first-year technical writing program, as she peers into the room.
She enters with Abby Sun, a first-year computer programming student.
It’s the start of this year’s Knit’n’Knatter knitting club, held each Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the spiritual centre in the Student Commons building.
First year architectural technician student, Rebecca Fardy, who has arrived before them says, “knitting is methodical and relaxing.”
Rebecca adds, “You can calm yourself easily. You can take your mind off of other things and get in a peaceful zone.”
She pauses as she starts her first project. “It’s going to be a headband.”
The gathering originated when Sandra McCormick, manager of the health clinic, was talking to people about creating ways to have students de-stress. The knitting club sprang from that.
Abby Sun says, “It’s more fun knitting with others. You can talk and chat.”
Carly Barrett adds, “It’s a good way to meet and get to know people.”
Dianna McAleer, professor in the Police and Public Safety Institute, is the resident expert knitter, showing the first-timers how to choose wool, needles and how to cast on the first stitches.
Dianna offers, “This is the club’s third year. We get a feeling of accomplishment in doing something practical. We can wear what we make.”
Co-facilitating the group with McAleer is Shelley Neilson, co-ordinator of the spiritual centre.
Neilson started knitting when she was six years old at the feet of her mother and grandmother.
She continues it to this day because of the calming effect the rhythm of the needles provides in an often hectic, unpredictable world.
As she looks over the group Shelley says, “It’s all about self-care and that’s why we do it. It’s very stress relieving.”
All materials are provided, all skill levels are welcome and no registration is required.