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

PS. If you’re thinking plan of starting a stitch & bitch, and you should!