Everyone will be bustling around gathering their goods for the bar-b-ques that are certain to happen this weekend. But while you're sitting around the picnic tables and fire pits with your loved ones, you can be keeping your idle hands busy with your latest knit or crochet project! You know your family members are always interested in your recent finishes and latest projects, so why not sit and knit while you visit? Be sure to stop in and pick up your yarn and supplies!

I learned to crochet and knit when I was about 7 years old. Both of my grandmothers crocheted and my mother dabbled in all the needle arts. I had three really great teachers. My Nana would make afghans and pillows and her favorite pattern to make was the Apache Tears afghan. She made a lot of Mile-A-Minute afghans too. I still have one of each that she made for me. I wold spend all of my school vacations and a lot of time during the summer staying at my grandparents house. My Nana would be sure we made a trip to the five-and-dime store to pick up a supply of yarn and she's go through her stash and give me some of her remnants. I was in heaven! She and I would sit for hours crocheting together.

My Grammie always had a ball of cotton thread and a steel hook in her hands. She enjoyed making doilies. She traveled a lot so small projects made sense.  She would spent time with each of her children and their families so we got to see my Grammie for a month or so at a time. I would spend hours sitting at the foot of her chair watching her crochet while she watched her "shows" (soap operas) on TV.

As I grew older my love of crochet continued to be a big part of my life. Knitting I would pick up every now and then and I still do. I like to call it "dabbling in the dark arts" since I tend to shock those closest to me when they see me with needles in my hands instead of a hook! But my love of crochet began at a very young age when I was just hanging out with my grandmothers. So when you're enjoying your bar-b-ques this weekend and spending time with family and friends, perhaps your enjoyment of needle arts will begin to rub off on some of your loved ones!

Hooked Knitting is OPEN for business at our new location, 65 Eastern Ave., in Essex, MA. Just one mile up the road from our old location, we are easy to find on Rt 133 in the plaza with the Blue Marlin Grille, and there's plenty of parking!

Please pardon our appearance as we are busy unpacking and arranging things in our new store. Our classroom is set up and features a huge assortment of yarn around the perimeter of the room to give you a sampling of the variety of yarn we offer. We are open for business so be sure to stop in and say hello!