If you identify as a knitter, crocheter or cross-stitcher, you know that it can be both a calming and a social activity.
From the inherently meditative nature of stitching to the dopamine hit when you finally cast off a big project, creating fiber art relieves stress, boosts self-esteem and lengthens attention spans. And those are just the mental health benefits.
When you knit a “Melt the ICE” hat or crochet a baby blanket for your niece, you engage with centuries of women’s history, too. Throughout civilization, women have gathered around fiber arts to converse, create, call for social change and preserve culture.
Whether you are craving community or need help on your current project, there are over a dozen recurring and free fiber art gatherings around Indianapolis.
Juna Matsuda-Johnson, a regular at Mass Ave Knit Shop’s weekly knit night, started attending after moving to Fountain Square last summer. She started going as a way to meet people, but has kept coming back for other reasons.
“It keeps me from procrastinating on my projects,” she said. “But also, it’s just nice to be out and have a community of people that I’m not working with, have a similar interest, and who I can kind of decompress with.”
Use these buttons to jump down the list to gatherings on each side of town.
Downtown
Hook & Needle Club
🗓️ 1 p.m. every first and third Thursday
📍 Roberts Park United Methodist Church, 401 N. Delaware St.
🎟️ Free
A twice-monthly gathering to knit and crochet hats and other items to meet various community needs. All skill levels of knitters and crocheters are welcome.
Yarn Graffiti Gang
🗓️ 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays
📍 Harrison Center, 1505 N. Delaware St.
🎟️ Free
A weekly opportunity to contribute to vibrant fiber art installations, learn new skills and help beautify Indianapolis. Led by Linda Belton, Harrison Center “Greatriarch” and artist, the Yarn Graffiti Gang creates powerful storytelling using yarn. All skill levels are welcome.
Floss ‘n’ Goss Fiber Arts Club
🗓️ 6-8 p.m. every third Tuesday
📍 Central Library, 40 E. St. Clair St.
🎟️ Free
This monthly drop-in fiber arts club is welcoming to all ages and skill levels. Work on your current “thready” project in an encouraging and collaborative setting. Some materials provided: embroidery thread and needles, yarn, sewing machine and accessories, and spare fabric.
Note: Central Library is currently closed for repairs. This event will resume when the library reopens.
East side
Crafting Corner
🗓️ Every third Wednesday
📍 North Mass Boulder, 1411 Roosevelt Ave.
🎟️ Price varies; always free if you bring your own project
Learn a new craft or bring your current project each month at North Mass Boulder’s Crafting Corner. From visible mending to cyanotype and block printing, the monthly gathering is not limited to fiber arts and is perfect for folks looking to come together, share skills, relax and have fun.
East Side Craft Club
🗓️ 6-7:30 p.m. every third or fourth Monday
📍 Warren Library, 9701 E. 21st St.
🎟️ Free
This monthly meeting of creativity and conversation is open to crafters of all kinds. Bring your current project and supplies, or use some of the basic supplies available.
Stitch N Bitch
🗓️ Check Instagram for upcoming dates
📍 Patina Gallery, 2201 E. Michigan St.
🎟️ Free
Check out Patina’s Instagram for upcoming Stitch N Bitch nights, an occasional opportunity to hang out with fellow fiber artists of all skill levels.
South side
Connection Cafe for Caregivers, Care Receivers and Everyone
🗓️ 11 a.m.-noon Wednesdays
📍 Beech Grove Library, 1102 Main St., Beech Grove
🎟️ Free
Caregivers, care receivers and anyone else are welcome at Connection Cafe, a weekly social hour featuring arts and crafts, music, games and other ways of connecting. Connection Cafe started as a safe space for folks with a family member or friend attending the library’s weekly chair yoga class.
Registration is not required but encouraged.
Crochet Circle
🗓️ Noon-1:30 p.m. every first and third Sunday
📍 Indy Reads, 1066 Virginia Ave.
🎟️ Free
Learn how to crochet, meet fellow crocheters and support one another at Indy Reads’ twice-monthly crochet circle. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Indy Reads provides a limited supply of crochet hooks and yarn.
Open Knitting
🗓️ 5:30-7:30 p.m. every Wednesday
📍 Mass Ave Knit Shop, 862 Virginia Ave.
🎟️ Free
Mass Ave Knit Shop’s open knit night started after students from the shop’s beginner’s knit class asked if they could continue to show up on Wednesday evenings to work on their projects together. Today, the weekly gathering is a popular one with knitters and crocheters of all skill levels and ages.
Stitch Some Support
🗓️ 6-7:30 p.m. every first Monday
📍 Southport Library, 2630 E. Stop 11 Road
🎟️ Free
Blend your passion for yarn-crafting with community service at this monthly meeting. Work on projects that will be donated to local charities or bring your own project. Some supplies and in-house tools are available.
Around the Stitching Table
🗓️ 2-4 p.m. Tuesdays
📍 West Perry Library, 6650 S. Harding St.
🎟️ Free
Drop in at this weekly meeting to hang out with fellow crafters, work on your current project and swap skills and stories.
West side
Crafternoon
🗓️ 2:30-4 p.m. Mondays
📍 West Indianapolis Library, 1216 Kappes St.
🎟️ Free
Each week at the West Indianapolis library branch, crafters can enjoy an afternoon of conversation, crafting and being creative. Bring a current project or start something new with provided supplies.
Local Knit Night
🗓️ Every third Thursday of the month through April
📍 Borage, 1609 N. Lynhurst Drive
🎟️ Free
All knitters, crocheters and stitchers are welcome at Borage’s monthly stitch gathering, which meets on the market side of the restaurant. Learn a new fiber art skill, work on your current project and enjoy delicious food, pastries, cocktails and coffee for purchase.
Yarn Club
🗓️ 6-8 p.m. every third or fourth Monday and 2-4 p.m. every second Saturday
📍 Wayne Library, 198 S. Girls School Road
🎟️ Free
Visit Yarn Club’s twice-monthly gathering to meet fellow fiber artists, work on your latest project or ask for help if you’re stuck.
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Emily Schlorf is a Mirror Indy freelance contributor. You can reach her at schlorfemily@gmail.com.
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