Back in 2015, I was asked if I would take over a couple of the weekly Stitch Circle sessions at Tolt Yarn and Wool. I had no idea what a huge impact helping other people with their knitting would have on my life! That’s because Stitch Circle has become much more than just two hours of solving knitting problems, it is about coming together with a group of friends. And every week I am blown away by how a group of women of all different ages, from all different backgrounds and experiences, can be so supportive and generous and helpful and amazing.

I must confess that I have very little to do with all of the great things that have been added to our Tuesday morning Stitch Circle experience, like the four KALs we worked on together over 2016 (Anna Vest, Halligarth shawl, colorwork hats, and Knit-A-Square charity blocks), the summer outdoor knitting sessions, and the holiday yarn swaps. All of these were suggested and heartily supported by the regular participants. I’m just happy to help them on their fiber journeys and to be able to offer my guidance and support.

Tuesday Stitch Circle's Halligarth Shawls (designed by Gudrun Johnston)

We had our 2016 Holiday Party/Yarn Swap this last Tuesday morning and, as you would expect, it was full of yarn, gifts, treats, and laughter. There were even a few knitting issues that needed some assistance! And I was thrilled to surprise the group with a secret project that I’ve been working on with the help of Anna and Clare, the Tuesday Hat.

This pattern was inspired by all of the wonderful people in our Tuesday morning group. In order to make it feel extra Tolt-y, I started my design by looking at traditional Cowichan knitting patterns and I noticed that some of the designs looked like letters. If you look closely at the colorwork pattern in the hat, you can see the secret coded message that I included in the pattern to remind all of our friends of the place where we love to gather. Because everybody could use some Stitch Circle support in their lives, especially the leader.

-Dorie

The Tuesday Hat is available as a free download here.

Tolt Yarn and Wool's Tuesday Stitch Circle meets from 10:30 am - 12:30 pm every Tuesday.