Knitting pretty

WHEN Hollywood bad boy Russell Crowe swapped brawling for a ball of wool, what many had long suggested was confirmed: knitting is now officially in. No more the sole preserve of the blue rinse and pearls set, it has crossed the age divide, attracting even image-conscious teens.

Inspired by Stitch 'n' Bitch: The Knitters' Handbook, by American author Debbie Stoller, and its sequel, Stitch 'n' Bitch Nation, knitting groups have formed in Britain and the US. The idea is that you meet in a social setting and share gossip and a glass of wine - against a backdrop of plain and purl.

Knitting has been hailed as the new yoga, and just like that trend, it has taken Tinseltown by storm. It seems that nowadays, no film set is without its stitching stars and Julia Roberts has even designed a jumper.

Jenny Mackay, 32, of Catterick Garrison, is among the new breed of knitters. Like most, she first did it as a child then came back to it in later life. "I did it when I was about ten or 11 and I was useless at it, but I liked it, then I started again when I went to the doctor's a couple of years ago with a stress related problem," she says.

"He asked, 'what are your hobbies?' and I said, 'TV', and he said, 'maybe you should take up a different hobby'. I started with cross stitch then I came across knitting in a magazine and thought I'd give it a try. I had mountains and mountains of cross stitch that I couldn't do anything with but with knitting, you can actually make something."

Jenny started buying the magazine Simply Knitting and was soon a convert. "That really helped me out," she says. "I got hooked quite quickly."

From her first tentative efforts, she's progressed to bigger projects, knitting mainly jumpers for herself and others. Now when it comes to people's presents, she often gives knitwear.

"At Christmas, I knitted a jumper for my sister, a scarf for my mum and socks for my dad," she says. "I've got some friends who are due to have babies this year and they're all saying can I knit them stuff."

For Jenny, the effort involved - a typical garment takes two months - is far outweighed by the pleasure she gets from knitting. "I find it quite therapeutic," she says. "It gives me something else to think about. You can do it when you're doing other things like watching TV. I try to get in a couple of hours a day at least."

Her only gripe is that patterns can be dull and dated - and this is something she'd like to change. "I'd like to design my own patterns in future because I think there's a real big shortage of men's patterns that aren't farmers' jumpers," says Jenny.

While most people tend to knit alone, a growing number in the North-East are joining groups. The knitting caf at Darlington Arts Centre has been going since last May and now has a core of regulars. Organiser Becky Sunter says it's really taken off.

"We have quite a strong following," she says. "There are probably about ten regulars but there are a few more than that who don't come every month. It's growing in popularity."

Becky says that knitting now appeals to everyone - not just fuddy-duddies. "The old stigma that only grannies can do it has been shaken off," she says. "The next generation is coming up and realising that it's quite interesting. Generally, those who come to the caf are from their late 20s upwards."

Becky herself has always loved knitting, learning from her grandmother when she was just five. From being a teenager, her career path was set. "I learned how to spin woollen yarns when I was 14," she says. "Then in 1992, I went to Cumbria to learn to weave and studied woven textiles. I've always been making and selling things. I suppose you could call me a wool artist."

Becky, who's 33 and lives in Darlington, is now teaching her oldest daughter, six-year-old Leia, how to knit. "My other daughter Maisy, who's three, wants to learn but she's just too little at the moment," she says.

As well as running the knitting caf, Becky is about to start a course at Longfields Comprehensive School in Darlington. "It's been organised by Darlington Council and it's for beginners," she says. "The first one is on January 26 and people have already enrolled." Another new venture is a stall on Darlington market.

"We've just started it and we're going to be running it every Saturday," says Becky. "I'm selling knitting yarns, patterns and needles. And my friend, who's sharing the stall with me, is selling gifts and soaps. I won't be selling knitwear but if anyone wanted anything knitting up, my friend would do it."

As much as anything, Becky hopes to be a point of contact for local knitters. "It's just about being there with free advice if anyone gets stuck," she says.

Knitting's new image means she no longer has to hide away. "When I was at school, I would never admit to doing it and even five or six years ago, it was something that you did at home," says Becky. "I definitely think there's been a change in attitudes - lots of people do it now and there are lots of sites on the internet. I definitely feel more confident knitting in public."

Knitting purls of wisdom

* Although its origins are unknown, knitting is believed to pre-date Christ.

* The first items ever knitted are thought to have been socks.

* Queen Elizabeth had silk stockings specially knitted for her.

* The natural oils in knitted sweaters protect fishermen from the elements.

*During the Second World War, a Government-produced booklet, Make Do And Mend, encouraged women to unpick old knitwear and re-use the wool.

* In the 1950s, the hand knitted twinset was in vogue and girls learned to knit at school.

* The National Trust of Scotland recently advertised for knitting tenants for properties on Fair Isle. It received more than 1,000 applications

Where you can learn to knit

* The knitting caf is at Darlington Arts Centre, Vane Terrace, on the first Friday of every month, from 10am to noon. It costs £3, including coffee and cake, and booking is not required.

* The ten-week knitting course for beginners is at Longfield Comprehensive School in Darlington, every Thursday from 7-9pm starting on January 26. It costs £35 with concessions available. For more information, ring (01325) 349634.