Who Are We?
The Riderwood Needlecrafters is a group of residents who delight in working with needles and hooks, threads, fibers and yarn of all types. We knit, crochet, and create in other fiber-intense ways, from needlepoint to crewel, and from cross-stitch to small-size weaving. Mostly, though, we are crocheting and knitting, and sharing experience and camaraderie with each other on a regular weekly basis.
The group has an aim beyond the social, however. We purchase yarn for the club and maintain a Needleworkers’ closet that also includes patterns, needles, hooks and notions. All of these are for use by club members, should they need or desire to do so. Freedom reigns, within some specific parameters. Each member chooses what projects to create and whether to use the Club’s yarn stash or fiber of her own. Some of us work large: adult sweaters, scarves, blankets and comforters. Others work smaller: hats, gloves and baby-wear. If we work with Club yarn, the product becomes one of hundreds of items we create annually to be sold at the annual Riderwood Craft Fair. Proceeds of the sale both support the Riderwood Benevolent Care Fund and form the seeds for the next year’s projects…and so the cycle goes. What is not sold at the Fair is donated to agreed-upon area charities, primarily focusing on unhomed individuals and families living in shelters.
While we encourage you to participate in our charitable work that benefits Riderwood residents and the larger community, you are free to use your own yarn and to create your own projects. We are about getting together as a community to share our work, our conversation and our good will with each other. The group is a diverse one when it comes to mastery of handcrafting skills. That’s why beginners are more than welcome as are those with skills to share with others. So try us; you’ll like us!
When and Where Do We Meet?
Tuesdays from 12:30pm – 2:00pm
Montgomery Station Crafts Studio
How To Join Us
Contact Eleanor Smith and/or Barbara Sutton (email and phones in Resident Directory)