Skepchick commenter and all around fantastic lady, Kiera Herbert (aka TempestBrewer) is crafty. Not only is she an excellent cook, she regularly participates in the age-old practice of knitting and is providing a new way for creative skeptical types to get together.
May I present to you, SkepStitch.
SkepStitch is a blend between a skeptical meeting group like Drinking Skeptically and a crafting group. A place to come for friendship, discussion and networking in a laid back setting.
My hope for SkepStitch is that it will compliment other established skeptic groups. I’m not restricting it to one craft, but instead opening it up to anyone who wants to create – crochet, drawing, jewelry making or perhaps even underwater basketweaving (I’ll bring the kiddie pool!).   I view SkepStitch as a place to grow and learn both academically and artistically. I am still a very amateur knitter, and I hope to both teach and learn as well as network.
Right now I’m trying to find out where the interest lies in the Philadelphia, PA area so I can determine an optimal meeting place. If there is a lot of interest, I obviously won’t be able to please everyone, but I will do my best.
Please take a moment to visit the site at http://www.skepstitch.org/ to sign up. It will place your general location on a map so I can find a good meeting spot. I won’t share your information or solicit you in any way. If you have any questions, please email me at [email protected]. We also have a Facebook group and a Twitter account.
Hey, do you think we could get George Hrab to come and try his hand at crochet? ;)
This one I wish I could join.
Ah, to be closer! Last time I visited a knitting group (one of the only times, in fact) the conversation suddenly veered into how very wonderful acupuncture was and oh, let’s all talk about our chiropractors!
I did not go back.
Hooray! Thank you for the epic pimping, Chelsea. :D
Those of you who want a group like this close to your area: I hope to branch this out to other areas using local contacts, assuming the Philly model goes well!
@tempestbrewer: I attempted to create a skeptic knitting group a while back but it never really took off. If this goes well and you’d like to help us get something similar going in Columbus, I’d love your advice! :)
@Jen:
:(
Do you have any advice for me? Any ideas about what may have caused it not to take off?
Acupuncture with knitting needles? Ouch!
@tempestbrewer:
It was probably all the knitting. *YAWN*
*ducks and hides*
@Elyse: Zing! :D
OMFSM! I want to start the Pittsburgh branch! The crafty skeptics of Pennsylvania will take over the world :)
@Elyse: A task that does require attention and an ability to not be distrac… , anyone want to go for a bike ride?
If you knit or crochet and are looking for like-minded people in your area, you might try going through Ravelry’s Atheist and Agnostic Crafters or something similar. I’ve not tried getting an A&AC group together locally, but have had luck meeting up with like-minded people from another Rav group and had a lot of fun. :)
Too bad I’m not in Philadelphia anymore or I would definitely join. Any plans to start a group in the D.C. area?
There has to be more than 4 interested people near Philadelphia. My sanity depends on it.
I’m in the area but I don’t know the first, middle, or last thing about knitting.
I love this! Crafty skeptics FTW!
Two of my favourite things in one – awesome!
Q: Do you know why so many women knit?
A: So they have something to think about while talking.
:D
*hides*
I’ve actually knitted bits of fake chainmail recently for a live action roleplaying costume. (Cotton-based yarn which is then highlighted with silver paint. It’s similar to what they often use in movies instead of actual metal chainmail)
I do still rely on my mom for the finishing though, because I always forget how that’s done.
Thanks to everyone who has signed up so far!! The responses have been overwhelmingly positive and I am totally psyched. :D
@laurae:
Yay!! You can totally be my contact for the Pittsburgh takeover. Shoot me an email at [email protected] about how to contact you and we can scheme.
@smudge:
That’s a great idea! Just remember that atheist !=skeptic and vice versa so you could potentially run into the Bill Maher problem with those groups. eep! :D
@catgirl:
Not at the moment, but you could help start one if you have the resources! Shoot me an email at [email protected] if you’re interested in setting up a local branch.
@Pam: I hope so! But even if we start out with <10 people, that's still wonderful. Hopefully word will spread– that's what minions are for ;)
@KingMerv00: Any other craft? like drawing or something? Even if you don’t know a craft, I plan to have opportunities for people to teach or learn a craft, so you could potentially find a mentor or teacher within the group if you’re interested.
@Amy: I am envisioning darwinfish potholders in my future.. maybe a skeptical craft auction to raise money for CFI or the JREF? So many awesome possibilities with crafters and creators.
@Solitas:
I resemble that remark.
Awesome! Once I get moved, I’d love to do something like this.
@smudge: That’s my group! :) I know some members have organized local meet-ups before.
@tempestbrewer: It probably didn’t work because I’ve been totally overloaded with life and didn’t have time to really make it work. I’ve actually stepped away from organizing for the summer because I need a break. But I’d like to start doing things again in fall. I think as long as you’re dedicated to it, which you seem to be already, you’ll have a success. :)
@exarch: “fake chainmail
*twitch*
Warning: OCD thread derailing ensuing
Mail! It’s mail armour! :D
Chainmail is a very modern term.
/OCD
:P
So…who wants to come to one in Austin with me? I signed up on the site. I’ll hang out and knit, and I also occasionally offer free cake decorating lessons in exchange for volunteering at the Austin cake show.
@tempestbrewer: I know, but having been over there, it’s a pretty good group. There is also a Skeptics group on Rav, it just gets less traffic.
@amanda: Hooray! As I said, it’s a good group, I like it. Most of the folks I’ve hung out with are LSG but they’re often in both groups.
@smudge: Thanks for the heads up, maybe I can go find that group on Ravelry and give them a holler!
Knitting is the new Borg. Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated. Srsly.
I’m willing to teach almost anyone to knit. Unfortunately, I don’t live near PA at all. But I did sign up!