Meet Needle Niche!
This issue we discover Needle Niche, a Canadian knitting group based in Tantallon, Nova Scotia that enjoys knitting for charity
Needle Niche knitting group was founded by local knitter Susan Doyle. Fellow enthusiast Debi Fiendel-Boutilier joined the group in 2005, and continued to run it after Susan moved away.
The group usually meets every Thursday evening at the local library, from 6.30-8.50pm. Of course, during the recent lockdown the library has been closed, but the keen knitters haven’t let that stop them, as “undaunted and missing one another,” some of the group met outside instead, choosing WorldWide Knit In Public Day on 13 June to enjoy a socially distanced knit and natter on the grass outside the library. Since then they have continued to meet outside, and will do so until the library re-opens, weather permitting.
CHARITY KNITTING
The group has a regular core of around 25 knitters and crocheters, and all ability levels are welcome, with the current group containing knitters “from beginners to the very skilled,” explains member Beth Sherwood. “Young and older, visitors to the area, newcomers, men, someone stuck on a project,” the group has a lovely variety of members. They’re also keen charity knitters. In addition to personal projects, Beth says, “Needle Niche knitters’ charitable contributions have included lap blankets for cancer patients, toys for the Children’s Hospital. hats for newborns; hats and mittens for the street-involved, twiddlemu s for those living with dementia or autism, red scarves for HIV-AIDS awareness, ‘knitted knockers’, and nests for wildlife rehabilitation.” At the moment the group is building up a stock of knitted items including blankets, toys and baby clothes ready to gift to various charities, as most organisations are not currently taking donations.
FEEL-GOOD CHATTER
Meetings are chatty and friendly and always welcoming. “The meetings are without cost and very casual with an occasional treat or joke slipped in,” smiles Beth. “We always delight over the latest yarn purchase or project and are quick to share new patterns or pass on leftover balls from a stash.” The members say that “we enjoy the socializing, companionship, sharing ideas and patterns and most of all, the laughter,” involved in being part of the group.
Want to know more?
To find out more about Needle Niche, email Debi at bootsboutlier@gmail. com or Beth at nethsher@eastlink.ca.