Knitting groups at libraries

Hi all -- I was just wondering if any of you have been members of, or even led, a knitting group at a library. I knit, though I'm no expert, and I work at a library and I've gotten the go-ahead to start such a group. I've already spoken with several friends in town who knit and they are all enthusiastic. So now what? My idea (hope) is to gather people of various levels of expertise, grab as many of the library's books about knitting as I can, encourage people to bring in patterns, books, magazines, etc., as well as current projects and just see what happens. This would be especially welcome since the nearest real yarn store is 150 miles away -- we do have a yarn store but it's full of novelty yarns, is run by very nice women but they're not experts and they don't even carry patterns! I know I'm going to get a lot of people who don't know how to knit and want to learn -- which I'm willing to work with, but at first would prefer people who already know how. Any experience, suggestions, advice, etc. would be most welcome!

Your idea sounds great! I would tend to include a computer terminal to your resources, so that you have sites like Knittinghelp.com, and especially Ravelry.com available at all times to the group as well!

I'm in a Stitch-n-Bitch (Knitting in public) group, but we have never met at a library, we make too much noise - we meet at cafes. We have people at all levels of experience, and the oldies help the noobies all the time. Having all those resources available would be wonderful!

Good luck. ^_^

I'm also in a SnB group, and we also meet in a cafe. However, if you are on Ravelry, you can ask for input from a group I know of -- never been to their get-togethers because they meet 100 kilometres away -- but they do meet in a library. The London (Ontario) Public Library publicizes the meetings as part of their library program. In the Knit London group, there is a Knit London Get Togethers thread, but the "westmount knitting" thread is specific to their library meetings. I know some of the Knit Londoners online, and one irl, they are lovely warm friendly helpful ladies, but it's just a bit far to drive for a meeting!

I have taught the knit stitch at our libraries. If it is a regular group, I would have a projector and computer for the help sites above as well as YouTube, which has a lot of knitting help as well! I have had some people come in for a refresher or reminider, one on one. I plan on a sequel for pattern reading and the purl stitch.

I would love to have a regular group--have fun and let us know how it goes!

I'd be interested in how you go too. I am thinking of seeing if I have any interest at school to run a group in my library. I'm not sure if anyone would be interested in joining but it might be nice to teach some teenagers to knit even if it's only a couple.

#5, how about having a general hobby club where people could knit or crochet, or embroider, etc? That might bring in more teens as well as having them teach each other.

Just curious, did you ever get a group going?

Yes I did although it's fairly well crumbled now. (Sunny warmer weather) but I did get a few actually knitting so that was nice and I will definitely get it going through winter next year by starting earlier.

Just in case anyone still paying attention to this thread -- I did get my group going -- one thing that helped was changing it from once a month to weekly; much easier for people to remember and even if they can't make a given week they don't feel totally disconnected. All forms of needlework are welcome and we have a needlepointer or two but it's mostly knitting. Another help has been the addition of an expert knitter who has her own following (she used to work at our local yarn store) and is also very generous in helping beginners. It's really fun to see the range of projects, skills and ambitions that people bring to the table. Plus it's a nice social break for me and for the people who attend.