Eight Years & Counting (Stitches)

Eight years ago today I started a local stitch & bitch in our small Texas town. Knitting and crocheting may be a solitary activity, but regular community with other knitters and crocheters is a bright spot in my life.

I had started one while living in Austin and was craving this community again, so I began by asking a local business owner Molly Alexander if we could meet once a month in her new fairly store. I knew it would be a great fit for a knitting group and her business. I had planned to call it a Stitch & Bitch, but decided Stitch & Hoot was much more on brand for her lovely store The Owl Wine Bar & Home Goods Store.

I knew that the community I craved could thrive in such a welcoming space. Eight years later this group of mostly women, still meets once a month to knit, drink wine or Topo Chico, and catch up with each other’s lives, or rather to Stich & Hoot. Covid-19 created a brief interruption as we pivoted to Zoom then back again to The Owl at their adjusted hours.

We could have met in each other’s homes, but meeting publicly allows us to post on social media and attract new members, and sometimes knitters just visiting family for the holidays will pop in… this really does happen. Also, I should point out that She Creates Union exists because Emma Clark saw our flyer at The Owl and showed up to crochet. Kismet.

Our September Stitch & Hoot will be Thursday, September 23rd 5-7pm. There will be cake. Bring your pointy sticks or even sharper wit and join us in celebrating eight whole years of Stitching & Hooting. All are welcome!

If you ever find yourself near Elgin, Texas on a 4th Thursday, come by The Owl at 5pm. We’d love to have you.

Some come to stitch, others come to hoot.

Cheers, Stacey

Jordan (jd.stitch): The Five Question Interview

Jordan is the owner of jd.stitch. She designs and creates unique, and often salty, one of a kind embroidered pieces as well as kits for those that want to try their hand at the craft. Her classes at The Clever Tiger are very popular, so keep your ears to the ground for those in the future.

She finds mornings to be her most productive/creative time and can be found outside with a cup of coffee and her sketchbook or tablet in hand.

1. Why did you move to Elgin? 

 I moved to Elgin about 4 years ago to be with my husband. We have known each other since 6th/7th grade. 

2. What compels you to spend time creating?

I have always been a maker, but discovered embroidery shortly after the birth of kiddo with the support of my husband (at the time boyfriend). What started out a fun new medium of art-quickly became a passion! I love every step from drawing out the patterns, to transferring, to stitching and watching my ideas come to life! It really is the best! 

3. Tell me three things you’ve learned in the past five years.

1: being more open with my art—to make things I am passionate about!      

2: to get over the fear of judgment! Letting myself and my art be who and what it is. Not everyone is going to like it or want to buy it and that is just fine.      

3: not to freak out—things will work out! 

4. What are you currently making, reading, watching, or listening to?

I currently have maybe 6+ different projects I’m working on! From painting hoops, a new kit, some tattoo flash style art(thanks to a dear friend Juanito from better days tattoos out of Killeen TX, and some new fun products! I am always bouncing around between things! 

I have very little time to read for myself but am very excited to have started the series of unfortunate events by Lemony Snicket with my child. 

Music I listen to-it ranges depending on my mood, but at any give time you can find me with CD’s from my younger days. Can’t go wrong with Jack White, Nirvana  or Alkaline Trio! 

5. Cake or Pie?

BROWNIES! And the best I’ve ever had came from The Cookie Farmer-Ashley! 

Instagram @jd.stitch
Ko-fi jd.stitch
Etsy JDStitchEmbroidery
Society6 jd.stitch


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Resolution #1 Keep Learning

If one of your resolutions is to learn mesoemthing new (hello ukulele), then the folks at Bluprint have a deal for you! Especially if you’ve been wanting to learn how to knit, quill, decorate a cake, or like me, crochet a cute cactus. My friend Martha let me know that Bluprint is offering free classes until 1/7. Sign up for free and craft your little heart out this weekend.

I’ll be crocheting a cactus this weekend, what will you make? Time to get crafty my friend.

mybluprint.com