Ithacan Culture:
Whether it is at the farmers market, state theater, or Ithaca Festival, citizens of Ithaca are continually finding places to unleash their creative sides. Literally, every time I travel in Ithaca, it never ceases to amaze me how versatile this city seems to be. Summer has the Ithaca Festival which celebrates the local artist community. Fall has Apple Fest where every apple and its hybrid are presented to the community (as well as the kettle corn and outstanding prepared foods section). Spring houses one of Ithaca's most famous attractions: The Farmers Market. And winter hosts the Chili Cook Off (which just occurred and I could not attend!). But where do these local artists go in the winter? It is too cold for the Farmers Market, Apple Fest has already passed, summer is too far away, and the Chili cook-off lasts three days. This weekend, my adventurous side afforded me the answer to the aforementioned question: during the winter, many ithacans (not all) can be found with two needles knitting!
Knitting in Ithaca:
How can I substantiate this claim? Well all one needs to do is take a short trip to a small store hidden in a chunky shopping center: Knitting Etc. is its' name. I found myself there last friday as well as this saturday amazed at what it had to offer me. Last friday in particular, I walked in at around 5:00pm to a crowd of women all in a circle knitting and eating an assortment of desserts. I came at the right time because they told me that friday's after 5 is knitting 'happy hour'. This 'happy hour' is a time for knitters (beginners and advanced) to come in with whatever project they are currently working on and enjoy good food, great talent and wonderful conversation or as my friend calls it: 'stitch and bitch'. Aside from the 'happy hour', Knitting Etc. offers classes in different areas (gloves, hats, sweaters), boasts a huge yarn selection and houses some of Ithaca's most interesting people.
My Experience:
That day my 'happy hour' consisted of around 8 women all of which had been knitting for years. Two of them were newcomers and had never been to 'happy hour' (3 including myself). One was a newspaper delivery women who told me that she gets up around 4am everyday and barely can stay awake late enough to come to 'happy hour'. The other two were store personnel one of which wrote the pattern that I was following with my project that I brought (a black cowel). The last 3 were responsible for the assortment of goodies (chocolate pralines, brownies and cookies) as well as the interesting conversation. They all shared their "beginner knitting moments" with me as well as stories of their childhood, their recently established families and current life issues. Although my knitting skills were inferior as well as my life experiences, these 8 women took me under their wing and helped me to finish my first project on my own. Aside from the 'happy hour' attendees, the door to Knitting Etc. was continually swinging open with Ithacans walking to and from asking for a button, or a new type of yarn, or an opinion on a project. Each had their own style as well as creativity when it came to their knitting.
Closing Stitches:
If you are ever in the mood to learn to knit, to pick up an old project, to find some interesting Ithacan folk, or to get a free piece of chocolate: take a trip to Knitting Etc. It is definitely a place where Ithacans hibernate for the winter and create some of the most well-crafted projects. And what they make in the winter can be seen: in springs' Farmer's Market, falls' applefest, and summers' festival. I always feel that everyone is need of a little stitching and bitching in their life.
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