HOLYOKE — In continuation of a new series of programming through Holyoke Art, the monthly Stitch n’ Sip series will return on Wednesday, Nov. 6.
Since July, the first Wednesday of each month Fame Lounge and Eatery has become the space for knitters, crocheters and other fiber artists. Holyoke Art Board member and founder of the Stitch n’ Sip program Jose Maldonado Velez explained the monthly event has grown into a community event after starting from just he and a friends meet ups to knit and crochet.
“It was back in January where my friend Mary Jones and I were connecting. She’s a knitter, I’m a crocheter. She said to me we should go to Fame sometime and sit down and knit and crochet. I said that would be great, should I make a flyer? Next thing you know we’re having a monthly meet up at Fame,” said Maldonado Velez.
Eventually Holyoke Art was brought in this summer to formalize the program through the nonprofit. Maldonado Velez said the monthly gathering is an opportunity for people to have a space to participate in the hobby and connect with others in the community with the same interest.
“It’s been great. Once a month on the first Wednesday we have roughly about 10 to 12 people that come and in total we’ve had about 50 individuals throughout the year,” Maldonado Velez said. “It’s just fun because Fame is an awesome place to hang out in. It’s a very cool environment and laid back. We have so many different kinds of fiber arts. It’s just a good place to be together in the community and there’s not a lot of spaces like it.”
He added there have been a decent amount of younger people getting involved too in “what seems more old school” of a hobby and seeing the younger generation pick it up has been a pleasant bonus. Maldonado Velez said there are always giveaways at the monthly gatherings.
The program does require participants to bring their own materials but all levels of experience knitters and crocheters are invited to the monthly gathering.
Maldonado Velez said for the future of the program he hopes they can build a cross generational space and that it continues to grow in the community. He added he hopes the program can find ways to bring in any well-known speakers from the fiber community to speak with participants about anything related to the hobby.
“It’s more of creating a space that gives you a break from all the crappiness that’s happening in the world, but it works,” said Maldonado Velez.
