Gatherings provide a stitchin', bitchin' time

Women discuss gender issues while learning the ins and outs of knitting.

By Kelsey Whipple

Published Sept. 14, 2007

From 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays, a handful of students in the Women's Center lounge on couches in between two baskets of yarn, listen to Vanessa Carlton and stitch and bitch.

The MU branch of the Stitch 'N Bitch national organization does exactly what its name hints at.

In between bouts of crocheting and knitting, both successful and failed, the group regulars discuss topics such as figgy pudding, looking like a bag lady, Perez Hilton and what a slipknot is.

"Lots of these groups have just formed in people's homes and schools, just wherever they want to talk," senior Caroline Ford said. "It's a safe space where people can be together and talk."

Often, talking turns into venting, and women's issues repeatedly come up.

"I hate MTV, and what's sad is that I thought VH1 is better, but what is up with 'Rock of Love'?" senior Carolyn Mutrux said. "I just feel like these shows have much better implications for men who are put in those situations than for women. For women, it's always confining."

Freshman Sarah Walts, who was hired by the Women's Center to lead the Wednesday meetings, gives lessons in the crafts to incoming members.

Not every member picks crocheting and knitting up easily, but Walts teaches to all skill levels.

"Seriously, when I first learned to knit, I threw my needles across the room," Walts said. ""But you just have to keep with it so it's fun."

Last semester, the Stitch 'N Bitch group included a few male students, including one who spent the meeting time crocheting flowers for his girlfriend.

"You'd be ruined for all other guys if someone crocheted you flowers," Mutrux said. "After that, with all other gifts, you'd just be like, 'Sorry, I'm past that.'"

The most common projects are hats and scarves, but one member is currently crocheting a splint for her hurt finger.

A scarf usually takes three meetings to complete, and a beanie only takes one meeting.

"It's easy and very therapeutic," freshman Lauren Hughes said. "I learned how to crochet my first day. You just have to think loose. I love that. 'Think loose, ladies.'"

Yarn and needles are provided by the Women's Center, which also invites groups on campus to speak at meetings.

Last week's meeting featured a speech from an anti-trafficking organization.

Most meetings continue to stray from the serious, though.

"I once had a guy ask me where the Men's Center was," Ford said. "I was like, 'It's your whole life, man.'"