Spinning new knitters

"The last couple of years the knitting industry has grown by leaps and bounds," said store manager Wendy Swords.

With celebrities like Cameron Diaz, Julia Roberts, Madonna and Jennifer Beals picking up needles, the hobby once reserved for grandmothers is a growing trend blanketing the nation. From books about celebrity scarves to local clubs meeting weekly at bars, knitting is now a hobby the young and hip flaunt and kids crave.

Those who've ditched their needles and donated their yarn are also coming back in droves, partly because of the ever-expanding selection of yarn, Swords said.

About 112 people form the Redwood City Stitch 'n Bitch knitting group that meets every Tuesday at Mulligan's pub and grill in Redwood City and Thursdays at Menlo Park's Cafe Barrone. Between 10 and 25 people show up with idle hands and bags full of yarn. Some are as young as 13, but most are in their 20s, 30s and 40s, said member Melanie Fuller.

On occasion, the Hookers - a group of Bay Area crochet fanatics - show up for a little fun.

Fuller's 13-year-old daughter attends meetings and even took a knitting class at Ralston Middle School. A recent class attracted an overwhelming response from young girls - and some boys - forcing the teacher to look into limiting the number of attendees the next time around, Fuller said.

For some, classes aren't enough. People are addicted to the needles and show up for impromptu knitting circles at Creative Hands.

Tuesday, six women between the ages of 17 and 70 gathered around a large table stocked with yarn, needles and candy. Some were regulars, others were just beginners and one was just passing through town - all with at least one thing in common.

"I've always been into arts and crafts," said 17-year-old Megan Drace. "I figured this was practical."

Drace picked up the needles a few months ago when she and her mom decided to learn to knit together. Her mom's still working on the purl stitch, but Drace already completed a scarf and a purse she designed herself. She doesn't like to follow patterns.

And it's not just the young ones looking to pick up the trendy craft.

"I just wanted to knit a pair of socks, now I'm working on a sweater" said Ingrid Schumacker, who only started a few months ago.

Sure, knitting is known to make some people cry and curse and others will say knitting is harder than crocheting (one hook, easy to remove stitches), but it's versatile and reduces stress, said Valerie Keller.

"My blood pressure dropped and I'm not even on medication anymore," she said.

Keller switch from crocheting to knitting last year when she saw a woman working the needles in the hospital waiting room.

"It's crazy. A year ago there would be a few of us in here and now it's never a quiet moment," she said.