A stitch in time is mighty fine

"Earlier this year, I started getting calls from customers wanting to know the nearest yarn shops and I would refer them to Charlotte. Then I heard that folks didn't want to go all the way to Charlotte, so I turned a corner of the shop into the Knitting Knook, I just love that name!" says Nancy Hall, a Fort Mill resident and proprietor of the shop.

Now that the frost is close to being on the pumpkin, a good knitting project is just the way to keep a lap warm. A nice long shawl would even cover the knees. Getting started is a cinch with help from Nancy's shop.

"Every Wednesday morning we have a help desk. Anyone needing assistance interpreting instructions or someone stuck on just how to get to the next step can drop by. Anybody can knit, even left-handers.

"I'm left-handed," continues Hall. "My aunt taught me when I was visiting her one summer. She declared, 'What's the difference that you're left handed? To knit, you need two hands.' Perhaps the right hand wraps the yarn around the needle, but the left hand has plenty to do, too."

"Since we had limited space, I consulted with yarn and knitting specialist who helped me stock a good variety of yarns and supplies for many tastes and interests in knitting projects."

Among the numerous and colorful yarns include chenilles, worsted blends, cottons, wools, even felted wools for making hats - an art in itself (you start by soaking the wool fibers around a basketball!).

The Stitch and Frame Shop has been a staple in the needle arts world for 27 years, specializing in counted crosstitch, and custom framing for the heirloom samplers and colorful artistry.

"Counted crosstitch is still our staple and focal point, but with the added art of knitting, we've just added another aspect of needle work," Hall says. "We just have a love of working with fibers."

Joan Huelsman learned to knit when she was 6 or 7 years old, taught by her mom.

"I remember knitting when I was younger, then as career and family came along, I put it aside. Then my daughter wanted a knitted sweater and I took it up again."

Huelsman is such a needle artist that she makes samples of both counted crosstitch and knitted items for the shop. One of Huelsman's favorite items to knit is a moebius, a never-ending figure-eight circle that can be worn as a scarf.

"The pattern is fascinating because you start at one edge and as you work the rows, you've wound up at the opposite edge and it's all knitted together. This piece is a good challenge."

Danielle Ward likes a simpler project, such as socks, and says learning to make the turns is not all that difficult. Danielle, who works at the shop, learned to knit during Knit Night, held every fourth Monday of the month.

"I decided to try it and found that I enjoyed working with the yarn and the knitting needles. I love the soft yarn used to make socks."

Danielle uses Sockotta, a very soft, almost iridescent yarn of grays; one skein will make one pair of socks.

The yarns in the shop can range from basic to very fancy with prices to match. To make an evening sweater to wear to a winter ball, you might need a shimmery type yarn. To make that bikini, it's probably best not to use yarns that stretch when wet!

"I'm learning again," says Chris Johnson, who says she found the knitting help desk while Googling on the Internet. "I'm in a knitting circle. We get together every several weeks and work on projects for charity. I knitted when I was younger and now am getting back to it. With all the help from the help desk, I'm really enjoying it."

Interest is high these cooler days in afghans and always hot are fine blankets, booties, sweaters for babies, even a teddy bear or two. Other patterns feature shrugs - a capelet with armholes, two-piece suits, complete with knitted flower in the lapel; camisoles with spaghetti straps; the popular ponchos, even doilies.

One day a gentleman walked over to the help desk. When asked what kind of knitting he enjoys, he replied, "It seems like a good hobby, but I prefer to drink beer and watch football." Then he handed Nancy Hall a list his wife sent him to the shop to collect for her next project.

"Anybody can knit," Hall says with her contagious enthusiasm. "Just get to the nearest shop and get help getting started and begin clicking those knitting needles."

Writer's note: The only good thing I can say about chemotherapy treatment is that it is over - hooray! Although it was a pretty dastardly experience, I felt cradled in the good wishes and prayers of so many of you, so thank you very much. Your support and the support of my wonderful hubby who reminded more than a zillion times that I would get through the tough times, helped me remember that soon I could get back to what I really enjoyed - talking with folks in this area. I still face radiation treatments, another precaution, and hopefully, these experiences won't be any where near as brutal. All I can say it that my oncologist is full service. It's great to be back at home with the Fort Mill Times. Thanks for sticking with me, everybody!

• Lizann Lutz can be reached at lutz@infoave.net.