"I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I started," she said. "But I like the people that come, and knitting is something I can do with the group or while watching TV, and then I actually have something to show for it."
But Bridget Fredstrom, 29, of Columbia has had the opposite problem.
"Sometimes, ... I go around and talk to everyone, and at the end I realize I haven't knitted much at all," she said. "You see someone working on a project you admire, and they're right there to teach you. That 'oh, it's gorgeous' reaction is the best one."
And everyone is always working on different projects. Members work at their own pace with their own designs and templates - showing off striped socks, beaded scarves, colorful handbags and a green baby sweater. The exception to this free-for-all is a "knit-along," when participants select one project to work on for a meeting.
Aside from knit-alongs and meeting Wednesday nights, the group participates in other programs.
Worldwide Knit in Public Day is Saturday, and members of Columbia Sip and Knit will gather at 10:30 a.m. at Kings Contrivance Village Center to show that knitting can be a very public hobby, said Zwerling, the group's organizer.
And this isn't the only special initiative.
"We participate in the Red Scarf Project, which sends scarves to foster children in college, the ones who don't have families to send them care packages around Valentine's Day," Zwerling said. "And also, for soldiers in Iraq - the military gives them helmets but doesn't provide helmet liners. So we make those and send them over."
Denise Ciotti, 46, of Laurel is an assistant vice president of sales in Washington and is the assistant organizer of the group. She said members can attend group knitting retreats twice a year. The February retreat was to North Carolina, stopping at yarn stores along the way. The four-day fall retreat to Harpers Ferry starts Oct. 17 and will feature classes, demonstrations and a similar "yarn crawl," Ciotti said.
"This is just a wonderful group because everyone's so welcome," she said. "When life gets in the way, no one will ask why you haven't been showing up because most of these women have careers and families. Plus, we don't gossip and get into everyone's business - we're not catty."
She said attendance seems to dwindle just a bit when Project Runway and American Idol get into full blast.
Chris Gallant, 46, of Scaggsville, who attends with her daughter, Lyta, said she has caught the knitting bug. She was a new knitter when she started in April, and she already has whipped up a beret and a tan shawl with buttons.
"I'm stunned to see so many people here, especially young people," Gallant said. "I just love this group. Everyone's so friendly and helpful. It's a great group."
The Columbia Sip and Knit will gather at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Kings Contrivance Village Center to celebrate Worldwide Knit in Public Day. Information: Lynn Zwerling. 410-997-3965.
