Knitting Brings Neighbors Closer Together in Pleasant Ridge
(Crystal A. Proxmire, April 15, 2014)
The close-knit community of Pleasant Ridge is getting even tighter as residents come together to share their love and passion…for knitting.
Pleasant Ridge Knitters has over 20 members who get together on the first and third Monday of each month at the Pleasant Ridge Community Center from 7 to 9 PM. Their first gathering was April 7
Stacy Bee is the one who created  all the buzz, along with buddy Jan Duster Treuter. “I started the Pleasant Ridge Knitters after discovering, through a totally unrelated post on the Pleasant Ridge Facebook page, that there are several other knitters in the city. I also saw it as an opportunity to meet fellow Ridgers. What I love the most about knitting is the camaraderie with other knitters. You could meet a total stranger and as soon as you discover the mutual love of knitting, there is a world of discussion possibilities. I’ve made some of the best friends through knitting.”
Treuter is a long-time knitter and fan of yarn.  “I started knitting in junior high school when a group of friends were knitting mittens that were donated to an inner city school. After finishing my BFA in Textiles, I worked for a while at a yarn shop where I taught weaving and spinning. It was there that I came across a sweater pattern I really liked, so I learned how to read a knitting pattern and made it. From then on, I knit sporadically, until I got involved with an east side knitting group about three years ago. Since then I’ve been going gangbusters,” Treuter said.  “My favorite things to knit are lace wraps and socks. I’ve also made sweaters for my husband and myself, wool hats for the homeless, lots of baby gifts (they’re fun to make because they’re so little and quick!). I’m currently working on a pair of lace socks, a dip-dyed mohair capelette, a lace cowl, and a swing sweater that’s giving me some trouble so I’ve set it aside for a while. Most knitters have more than one project going at a time.”
Bee said she’d been dabbling in knitting for years, but became serious two and a half years ago, making dishcloths, socks, cowls, hats etc.
Pleasant Ridge Knitters is for people of any skill level to get together.  Bee and Treuter say even newbies can benefit from the expertise in the group.  Bee said “Absolutely! I’ve never taught anyone to knit, but I’m willing to try and I know there are some others that have said they are willing to teach.”
“A few people are just learning or in need of a refresher lesson. Fortunately, we have some members who are very willing to teach. That’s the best thing about a knitting group — there’s always someone who will give you the confidence to try something new and stretch your skill level. We share patterns and ideas — even yarn! It’s also a great way to meet new people,” Treuter said.
Those who may be interested in joining the Pleasant Ridge Knitters can find out more at https://www.facebook.com/groups/484222531680003/?ref=ts&fref=ts.