It was beautiful night. The city was at its sparkling midwinter best.
State Street near the Argo
Attendance numbered six, a startling 300% increase from the first meeting two weeks ago.
The knitters were made to feel very welcome by the café staff, and aside from an unfortunate encounter with hibiscus tea (Aidan is probably still trying to get the taste out of his mouth) were much pleased with the venue.
The jolly pre-theatre crowd waiting to see Wicked in the theater next door did much to add to the liveliness of the atmosphere. (Note to the Asian couple in matching red scarves: Get a room.)
The gathering discussed many topics of world import including:
- Rachel Ray, America's most famous lousy tipper,
- the proper technique for measuring sock heels,
- the latest issue of Vogue Knitting,
- the formation of Team Wales in the Knitting Olympics (more on that next post)
- the length of my camera lens, and
- yarn.
Jim (a fabulous knitter simply brimming with good advice)
Aidan (organizer, knitter, raconteur, mensch)
Jonathan (knitting a gorgeous sweater vest by that Scottish lady)
Michael (making a lovely sock while still managing to be enormously helpful to others)
Andy (ripping back a 20-year-old UFO that is now becoming a really nice scarf)
61 comments:
What a great looking bunch of guys! I'd be there, but I live in Texas, and I'm a woman.
sigh. I could use some knitterly advice... ;)
Yonkele: I don't believe it...you managed to take a not-disgusting photo of me. Thank you so much.
And all you guys out there in Chicagoland: We had a blast. Join us. The guys are a lot of fun and the space is really perfect for our group.
Love the first picture...almost makes me hate winter less.
Can't wait to collect the rest of the knitter guy series ;)
How lovely for you, Franklin. I am so glad you were able to find some like-minded souls. Hurrah.
(And boo to those hussies in the other group who were rude to you. Heifers.)
Yeah Franklin, where's YOUR card??? Would love to join you but my gender disqualifies me.
Where's the Franklin trading card?!
LaurieM
and no picture of the FRANKLIN!
glad you had a good time!!!
I think I love Aidan.
He called you Yonkele. How could I not love someone who called you Yonkele.
He, clearly, is a mensch.
Nice pictures! A good picture of me working on the Starmore vest, too, though I think I really need to get a haircut.
*sigh* I miss winter. But your picture of it was lovely. And I just adore the trading cards. Two thumbs up!
That's it. I'm coming to Chicago so I can join you for at least one get together.
If you'll tolerate a fledgling crocheter among you, that is!
The trading cards are great, but judging from the handsome quotient, I think you'll be doing a calendar pretty soon. ;-) I'm glad to hear it went so well!
That outstanding picture of Chicago is so reminiscent of my wonderful trip two years ago to your city. It's a great town. Other than London, possibly the only city I'd consider inhabiting.
You guys do some impressive knitting. Potentially dumb question: Did Jim make that Fair Isle he's wearing?
Of course he did.
What a beautiful sight! Thanks for the the lovely trading cards.
That is a beautiful picture of Chicago, it reminds me of my first trip there when I thought I wouldn't need gloves or practical shoes because the Quaker building was just two blocks away from the hotel .... I ended up taking a cab to and from each day. Anyway, looks like you had a lot of fun! I hope your group continues to grow. I saw this article http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060118/en_nm/life_knitting_dc_2 the other day and thought of your new group.
Gina
delurking to say: I am so glad that you found this group (or helped start the group). I was appalled when you wrote about how you had been treated by the women in the previous group.....knit on! And, thanks for the beautious picture of our fair city! (yes, another chicagoan)
This looks just great. And what a swell looking bunch of men. Not to mention projects.
That picture makes me homesick - it's beautiful. I just noticed today that you've been posting more of your drawings so now I'm going to have to visit every day to see what's new... is that part of your evil plan?
Love the trading cards. I'm glad you guys are getting out there. Knitting is for everyone.
Lovely pictures.
Have always enjoyed being different... I'm the only one ripping out! And I TOLD you everyone would be looking for a picture of the photographer! Next time! Thanks for helping to make for a great evening, and documenting it so beautifully...and creatively!
hmmm, Franklin, noticed a number of women wishing to knit with you. I totally support the idea of a men's (or women's) knitting group (though I agree that the false advertising of that other group made for a very unpleasant situation), but it seems like people are searching for something more....
Looks like it's time to start a Franklin knitting salon.
I mean, of course, salon not as in a hairstyling establishment but in this sense--the 18th-century Parisian gatherings characterized by "lively intellectual conversation in the fields of arts and letters" and "a blend of wit and oral brilliance," according to this source, which also notes that they were "a safe gathering place for individuals of varying sexual orientations." Doesn't that sound lovely? (Both those links are fascinating reads if you have the time)
If it met monthly it wouldn't be too taxing on your limited time. Can you just imagine, people would make pilgrimages to Chicago just to attend. Next you'd be doing knitting cruises and evenings at the opera with the house lights up.
Franklin, my dear, if anyone was born to preside over a salon, you were.
Lovely. Have fun, guys.
I'm so glad you've found your knitting group. It was really disappointing to read about your previous experience.
You look like a fun group to sit and knit with.
Once more I'm in awe of other people's exquisite knitting and Franklin's exquisite photography.
Oooo! I second Birdfarm's call for a Franklin knitting salon. As a matter of fact, that might be the only thing I've ever heard that could (almost) convince me to move back to the middle part of the country...
Also, what I wouldn't give for the chance to sit and knit and chat with such an amazing group of knitters...
I LOVE that photo of State Street. It has a Parisian look to it. I'm glad you had a good turn out for the knit-in.
You need to include links to blogs for these other guy knitters if they have them - I'd love to read more about their projects (especially the guy knitting the vest by that scottish lady!).
OK. So where is the Franklin Habit trading card?
What Maggie said. Your picture of State Street makes me very homesick. I am so glad you found a group of knitters you're happy to be with.
It really is my kind of town.
What a great turnout you guys had! The picture of State street is amazing.
It looks like a great group. I even wish I could attend, but location, gender, time, etc. do not permit. But twenty years! I dare not ask what it was, but I'm happy that it's going to become something new.
*peeking out from the lurker closet*
I'm so excited for you guys! It's so cool that you al found each other. Love the cards! Your deffinately missing one though! Hope your "britches" continue to grow!
I can't collect them all if they ain't all there, sugar...
I'm hoping other guy knitters will get themselves to a meeting or make groups, too. Man, the socks alone in these pictures are inspiring :-)
It's been said, several times: I'll say it again. There were SIX guys at that meeting, and there are only FIVE picture-cards. WE WANT FRANKLIN!
Love from Jean
I've been itching to make it to the Tuesday Night gathering both times. Unfortunately, I'm in class on Tuesday nights. I might just have to blow off class one of these next times!! Glad to see it's growing exponentially.
-Andy Y.
Damn if you aren't a handsome bunch. Where's my Franklin trading card?
Jim's fairisle jumper is so beautiful. Ditto, ditto everyone else - Franklin's photo is missing. Step up, step up, don't be shy!
Such a bunch of cuties.
Remember, Jim, if you didn't make your fine sweater, the answer is, "No, but I could have."
Franklin, look how inspiring you are!
I am, once again, proud to know you, honey.
Glad to see that the men have a group. Great that the atmosphere was in your favor - that's wonderful for hours of sitting, knitting, and conversation.
What they all said: someone is missing here.
What did you conclude about VK? I got mine last week, complete with large card proclaiming that This will be your last issue unless you act THIS INSTANT! I perused the mag and threw the card on the recycle pile.
Darn Franklin, everyone of those guys looked like they were knitting something in Fairisle. They got skillz! I'm gonna have to rethink the initial design I wanted to submit to MenKnit! I'm too used to girls who are beginners.
Thanks for the picture postcard of downtown Chicago.
Lovely to have a community of people one can relate to. I work at the time the local group meets. You are a lucky guy.
Oh my. {fans self to keep from fainting}
Could I get a calendar, called, The Men of Stitches In Britches.
Each guy would need to pose nude, with whatever object he's knitting on!
Better yet, if you set up a fetish webcam site, I'd pay at least $9.99 monthly for access.
Cute men knitting? A girl might just have to leave the mountains of Colorado for a visit to the Windy City.
I wanna join your knitting group...but I'd have to travel.
Sigh.
That beautiful picture made me wish I live in Chicago (I visited it once and fell in love the way people do with San Francisco)
It made me sort of wish I as a man who knit so I could join your group as well :)
What fun! I can't believe the one gentleman who had a UFO over 20 years old! That's awesome that you all have a men's knitting group setup now.
That's so awesome! I love Argo. I'm there far more often than I can afford. :) I have a guy friend who's a fledgling knitter and I'm totally sending him to y'all.
How did you end up with half a knitter at the first meeting? That's the only way you could end up with 6 after a 300% increase...
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