Handwork is more than typing on a keyboard, moving a joystick, or punching a remote. Work done by hand is unique; most describe it as art. People who quilt, knit, crochet, hook, embroider, or sew are rare. I discovered a rare group of talented women at the library in Middlefield, Ohio!
In Stitches, a dedicated group of eight, fills a meeting room at the Middlefield Library with wool, hooks, frames, knitting needles, crochet hooks, yarn, needle, thread, and more two Thursdays a month between 6:30-8:30 p.m.
The library meeting room offers comfortable chairs and plenty of space to display materials, discuss projects, and seek advice as needed. Jane Zajaczkowski, an expert crochet instructor, says, “Each of us can enjoy an evening out with our friends and our crafts and share a lot of laughs!”
There are a variety of projects to see and as Marie Williams says, UFOs (a.k.a., un-finished objects). Quilts, scarves, mittens, gloves, hats, coasters, chair covers, wall-hangings, totes, handbags, and afghans have all traveled to and from the Middlefield Library in various stages of development.
Plenty of In Stitches projects are completed, too. Sometimes it takes conversation, laughter, encouragement, and a designated work time to finish a project!
Marie Williams organized the first meeting in 2000 to focus on traditional rug hooking. [Rug] Hookers Anonymous, a group of six, met at the elementary school in Parkman, Ohio. After a brief hiatus between 2005-2008, the women regrouped at Cardinal Middle School. In 2010, Sheila Wright started reserving space at the Middlefield Library and the group expanded to include fiber artists of all kinds.
In Stitches invites everyone to bring a project to any upcoming meeting in January and February. Look for the group January 9, January 23, February 13, and February 27, between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. at the Middlefield Library.
