Clever notion

Nights are getting cooler, days are getting shorter and deciduous trees are transitioning to autumn hues.  Yes, fall has arrived.  It’s time for apple cider, warmer socks, and nights snuggled up on the sofa.

Now is the perfect time to pick up a new hobby before the frigid Montana winter sneaks up and traps us indoors once more, but you don’t have to break the bank to find an activity to keep you busy until spring.

“Many people work on their skills during the cold months,” Susan Brown, the new manager of All In Stitches craft shop in Polson, said.

Brown, born and raised in Polson, has worked at All In Stitches for seven years.  As the new manager, she said she is excited to bring fresh ideas to the craft store.  New class schedules are out and Brown said if their schedule doesn’t mesh with yours, you need not worry. All In Stitches offers one-on-one classes so you don’t have to miss out on learning the basics or honing your skills.

Brown added that quilting, crocheting and knitting are not just for “more mature” people.  She said the shop has customers of all ages and skill levels.  

According to the Craft Yarn Council, in 2011 the number of younger knitters and crocheters (ages 18 to 34) was 18 percent of all people surveyed. The council added that this number is on the rise.

Knitting’s popularity has grown so much, Casey Stannard wrote a master’s thesis at Colorado State University on its reemergence. Stannard found that women between the ages of 20 and 40 were turning to knitting as a way to relax and as a creative outlet. Stannard stated that price played a factor, with many women stating the high price of yarns kept them from beginning or completing projects. The women found ways to find affordable materials, such as using recycled yarn and waiting for sales.

Brown said she doesn’t want cost to stop anyone from learning to sew, knit or crochet. All of the classes at All In Stitches can cost under $50, depending on the materials a student buys for the class.

“We want to keep the price inexpensive so customers can come in and learn,” Brown said.

As the temperature drops, Brown has the holidays in mind.  

“Our customers are making gifts,” she said.  “To keep and give away.”

The shop offers classes to make warm socks, Christmas tree skirts or fun, festive advent calendars. Quilt kits are also available for those who want a ready-to-go option.

This winter you could join celebrities Julia Roberts and Cameron Diaz as a knitter or you can make your own table runner and napkins for a personalized Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner (it’s sure to impress the in-laws).  

Fall is a time of change, so go out on a limb and try something new.  You might even surprise yourself.